SMC Notes

What do reigning champions react to being the reigning champion? This is what we will find out about Saint Mary’s this year.

While Saint Mary’s went into last season with a share of the league title, Gonzaga was still attached to that title. Now the Gaels are alone on top and have the target squarely on their backs.

They lost three key players but return a wealth of guards and experience. Let’s take a look at this year’s team.

Outlook
The defending WCC champions have to deal with something new: being the hunted. Since Randy Bennett had arrived at Saint Mary’s, Gonzaga had at least a share of the WCC title. That was the norm.

Now with Gonzaga looking up, the Gaels are now the team to beat. But there are also concerns on the court. How do you replace Rob Jones? What about Clint Steindl? It’s going to be tough to hold onto the top spot in the WCC but the Gaels have been doubted before and welcome the challenge.

Backcourt
The depth at the guard position came into question last season, especially when Stephen Holt and Matthew Dellavedova dealt with varying injuries late in the season but this year should be a different story.

Dellavedova, the reigning WCC Player of the Year, has already made many preseason All-American lists and that has to do with his intelligence on the floor. While he may not be the most athletic, the senior guard may be the smartest guard in the conference with how he is able to set up his teammates for open looks.

Holt and fellow returning starter Jorden Page have a great deal of athleticism and quickness. Paul McCoy, who is coming off of a medical redshirt last season, should add an offensive spark. But there should be a concern about their ability to hit the three consistently.

Citrus College transfer James Walker will also come off the bench and should be productive. He averaged 19 points per game and was named the CCCAA state Player of the Year.

Their best three-point shooter last season was Steindl and he shot 43 percent from distance. The best returner is only at 37 percent. The Saint Mary’s has always had someone to stretch the defense in that way. Paul Marigney, Todd Golden, Mickey McConnell, Steindl. Always somebody.

It is an explosive and athletic group but they will need to have somebody step up and be that three-point shooter.

Frontcourt
Replacing 11 rebounds per game is no easy task. Without Jones, that is what Saint Mary’s must do. Specifically, that is what Brad Waldow must do.

The sophomore center played well last season but battled injuries down the stretch, which limited his production. Waldow, who averaged 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds, will be looked to carry more of the load without Jones around.

It will also be the task of senior forward Mitchell Young, redshirt junior Matt Hodgson, and freshman Chris Reyes to fill the power forward position. The power forward will be the position to watch early on for Saint Mary’s with unproven (Hodgson, Reyes) or inconsistent (Young) players vying for the starting spot and minutes.

Senior 7-footer Kyle Rowley will also be battling for early minutes and can clog the lane, making it easier for Saint Mary’s to fill the rebounding void.

Notes
Saint Mary’s knocking off Gonzaga for the league title was no small feat. Not only was it Saint Mary’s first outright title since 1989, it was the first time Gonzaga did not win either the regular season title nor the tournament title since 1997.

Saint Mary’s has benefited from Citrus College players in the past. Tron Smith played for the Gaels from 2006 to 2008 and averaged eight points, while shooting 36 percent from three.

PilotsFan20 wrote:In 2014-15, at point guard Saint Mary's will have Jordan Giusti (RS Junior), Jorden Page if he is unable to play this season and comes back for a 6th year, and walk-on Treaven Duffy (RS Sophomore).

But whoever Saint Mary's has at point guard this season will have no experience play point guard since Dellavedova essentially played all 40 minutes for 4 years (alongside another PG McConnell for the first 2).

Saint Mary's has landed Minnesota transfer Joe Coleman.

The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 8.7 points last season in 26 minutes per game, but decided to play elsewhere shortly after the coaching change in which Richard Pitino replaced Tubby Smith.

"It came down to the fact that coach (Randy) Bennett has been able to develop guards and also that they have playing time available," Coleman told ESPN.com. "When coach Smith left, I decided I wanted to go somewhere that I could expand my game."

Coleman will sit out this season and have two years left with Bennett and the Gaels. He also visited Creighton, and drew interest from Gonzaga, Florida State and Oregon.

The addition of Coleman should help ease the blow in 2014-15 from losing three senior guards in Stephen Holt, Jorden Page and James Walker III.

Saint Mary's, which was 28-7 this past season, graduated star guard Matthew Dellavedova and also lost signee Cullen Neal, who was released from his letter of intent in order to play for his father, Craig, at New Mexico.

Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett must serve a five-game suspension and won’t be allowed to recruit off campus this season as the NCAA has upheld penalties against the successful mid-major program for recruiting violations.

In making the announcement Monday from the NCAA’s infractions appeals committee, the NCAA has denied Bennett’s appeal that included the claim of a procedural error involved. The school says Bennett’s penalty begins on Dec. 30 at midnight for five games, including one non-conference contest.

In March, the NCAA put Saint Mary’s on four years of probation for a “failure to monitor its men’s basketball program,” reducing scholarships by two for the 2014-15 and 15-16 seasons.

Saint Mary’s will still be allowed to participate in the league tournament and the NCAA tournament but can’t play in preseason or in-season tournaments not already contractually obligated to attend.

DeanMurdoch wrote:Funny how that early January game against William Jessup managed to sneak its way onto the schedule.

The Pick and Roll wrote:  Angus Glover on the Nike Hoop Summit and bypassing college to turn pro

http://bit.ly/2n6tzQb    

up7587 wrote:If you sign a NLI and just don't show up, are there any consequences?  Is the release more for the school so they can sign someone else?