NCAA Basketball: UConn, Iowa State, Auburn rise in latest top 25 power rankings
By Joey Loose
15. Saint Mary’s (26-7)
Saint Mary’s was arguably the hottest team in the nation at one point this season, and that point was very recent. The Gaels were not themselves early on in nonconference play but blitzed their WCC foes, getting off to a 15-0 start in conference play. A loss to Gonzaga in the regular season finale was their only blemish of 2024, ending a 16-game winning streak in the process.
Monday’s WCC Tournament semifinal went the Gaels’ way, as they won 79-65 over Santa Clara. Alex Ducas scored 21 while Mason Forbes added 18 points in the win. The title game was far more notable, as Saint Mary’s dished revenge on Gonzaga, winning the WCC Tournament with a 69-60 victory on Tuesday. Both Aidan Mahaney (23 points) and Mitchell Saxen (19 points, 15 rebounds) came up big for the Gaels.
Not only has Saint Mary’s won 18 of their last 19 games, but they secured outright regular season and tournament titles in the WCC, something that’s certainly a rarity outside of Gonzaga. The Gaels ride into the NCAA Tournament on a hot streak, especially with a pair of wins over those Bulldogs in recent weeks. There’s talent on both sides of the ball here; we’ll have to see what kind of draw they get and if a nice Tournament run is possible for the champs from Moraga.