23-03-2025
Alabama Basketball 2024-25 Opponent Preview: Saint Mary's Gaels
Alabama Basketball 2024-25 Opponent Preview: Saint Mary's Gaels
After picking up a first round NCAA Tournament win Friday afternoon over Robert Morris, a round of 32 showdown with the Saint Mary's Gaels now awaits the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The No. 7 seed in the East Region, Saint Mary's is making their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance this season, as well as their third round of 32 showing over the last four years.
Saint Mary's is also coming off one of the program's best regular seasons in recent memory, and are now looking to make the program's first Sweet 16 appearance since 2010.
Here are a few things you need to know about Alabama's second round NCAA Tournament, the Saint Mary's Gaels.
Saint Mary's Gaels 2024-25 Team Overview
Conference: WCC
WCC Arena: UCU Pavilion, Moraga, California
UCU Pavilion, Moraga, California 2024-25 Record: 29-5 overall (17-1 in WCC)
29-5 overall (17-1 in WCC) Ranking: No. 20 in AP Poll, No. 19 in Coaches Poll
No. 20 in AP Poll, No. 19 in Coaches Poll NCAA Tournament Seed: No. 7 in East Region
Out of the WCC, Saint Mary's entered the NCAA Tournament ranked as a Top 20 team nationally according to both the AP and Coaches' Polls. The Gaels, who are the No. 7 seed in the East Region, also sit at 29-5 overall for the 2024-25 season, and were the WCC regular season champions who owned a 17-1 record in conference play.
Saint Mary's Gaels 2024-25 Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Randy Bennett
Randy Bennett Associate Head Coach: Mickey McConnell
Mickey McConnell Assistant Coach: Joe Rahon
Joe Rahon Assistant Coach: EJ Rowland
EJ Rowland Assistant Coach: Dan Sheets
Dan Sheets Assistant Coach: Trey Touchet
Leading the Gaels program is long-time head coach Randy Bennett, who has been at the helm of the Saint Mary's basketball team since the 2001-02 season. Under the leadership of Bennett, Saint Mary's has made 11 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with the Gaels' deepest run having been to the Sweet 16 back in 2010.
Saint Mary's Gaels 2024-25 Stats
PPG: 73.1 (No. 200 in NCAA)
73.1 (No. 200 in NCAA) PPG Allowed: 60.5 (No. 4 in NCAA)
60.5 (No. 4 in NCAA) FG%: 45.4
45.4 2P%: 52.2
52.2 3P%: 32.2
32.2 FT%: 69.4
69.4 RPG: 39.8
39.8 APG: 15.3
15.3 SPG: 6.1
6.1 BPG: 4
Stats-wise, the Gaels most notable statistic is their points allowed per game to opponents, which ranks No. 4 in the nation with only 60.5 a contest. Saint Mary's is also averaging 73.1 points per game offensively this season, and are among the nation's top teams when it comes to offensive rebounding, ranking No. 11 nationally with 13.9 a game.
Saint Mary's Gaels 2024-25 Players to Know
Augustas Marciulionis, Guard - Senior
- Senior Paulius Murauskas, Forward - Sophomore
- Sophomore Mitchell Saxen, Center - Graduate Student
- Graduate Student Luke Barrett, Guard/Forward - Redshirt Senior
- Redshirt Senior Jordan Ross, Guard - Sophomore
In conclusion, Saint Mary's has three players averaging in double figures led by senior guard Augustus Marciulionis at 14.3 points per game, while also averaging six assists a contest. The two others players averaging in double figures are both Paulius Murauskas and Mitchell Saxen in the frontcourt, each of which are also Saint Mary's leading rebounders.
