20. Saint Mary’s (27-4)
The names change almost yearly but Saint Mary’s continues to be a program that we expect to see in this position come March. The Gaels remain one of the best mid-majors in the nation and that’s pretty clear again right now. They’re currently sitting on an 8-game winning streak and have some nice wins among the 27 already on their resume.
We didn’t see them on the court this past week due to earning several byes into the WCC Tournament semifinals. When we see them again, it’ll be one or two intriguing matchups for a team that just beat Santa Clara and Gonzaga last week. When given a chance to show who they really are, Randy Bennett’s squad really showed up, knocking off those Broncos and Bulldogs by double figures.
Those two performances likely locked the Gaels into the NCAA Tournament regardless of what happens during their conference tournament. Moving forward, it’s not just about getting into the Big Dance but making a statement once they’re there. Even before then, Saint Mary’s could have a rematch against both of those teams and you know the Gaels are hungry for a few more sensational wins, especially with Gonzaga leaving the league.