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St. Mary’s Gaels (Last Year: 28-6, 11-3 in WCC)
2010-11 Projected Depth Chart:
F/C: Kenton Walker (Jr)/Tim Williams (So)/Brad Waldow (Fr)
F: Mitchell Young (So)/Beau Levesque (So)/Phil Benson (Sr)
G/F: Clint Steindel (Jr)/Tim Harris (So)
G: Mickey O’Connell (Sr)/Jorden Page (So)
PG: Matthew Dellavedova (So)/Stephen Holt (Fr)
Gone: C-Omar Samhan, F/C Ben Allen, SG-Wayne Hunter
2010-11 Outlook:
Gonzaga has been the king of the West Coast Conference for the past decade-plus. Nipping on their heels though is a Saint Mary’s team that has quietly put together an 81-20 record during the last three seasons. The Gaels lose their big body inside but should once again be battling the Zags for conference supremacy.
In Matthew Dellavedova and Mickey O’Connell, St. Mary’s might have the best mid-major backcourt in the country. Both players can shoot lights out from distance with O’Connell hitting a ridiculous 51 percent of his triple tries a year ago. Six-foot-seven Clint Steindel returns to the starting lineup and is a solid three-point shooter as well.
While perimeter play is certainly a strength and will probably carry the Gaels this season, their frontcourt has questions. Samhan and Ben Allen leave a void to be filled, and it may be a committee approach until a couple players establish themselves as bringing a physical presence. Mitchell Young is the only post player who saw a significant role off the bench. Creighton transfer Kenton Walker becomes eligible after sitting out last season and should an immediate factor.
How this team responds without Samhan will be the deciding factor in where the Gaels finish in WCC. With their extremely talented backcourt duo and a plethora of deadly outside shooters, don’t be surprised to see Saint Mary’s dancing for the third time in four seasons.
Player to Watch: Matthew Dellavedova, PG
Even though the kid has ever met a comb and wears the biggest mouth guard in the history of mouth guards, Dellavedova made an immediate splash for the Gaels in his freshman campaign. One of four Australians suiting up for St. Mary’s this season, Dellavedova hit nearly 40 percent of his three-pointers last season. At 6-4, he brings good size to the point guard position but separates himself from his backcourt-mate O’Connell due to his ability to get to the basket off the bounce. NBA teams are intrigued with his potential and you can understand why.
Key Non-Conference Games:
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