Other Game Notes:
Saint Mary’s is a surprising 14-2 with wins over San Diego State and at Utah State and Oregon. Center Omar Samhan is one of the best big men in the country, averaging 21-11 every night to go with 2.6 blocks. The backcourt of Matthew Dellavedova and Mickey McConnell is versatile and can do a variety of things. They combine to average 26.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 10.5 assists per game, and both shoot better than 42 percent from three. Mickey McConnell leads the WCC with a 2.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and Matthew Dellavedova is second at 2.4-to-1.
Former Indiana transfer Ben Allen is an excellent shooter and passer for his size, and he can also rebound well. Forward Clint Steindl has started the last 10 games for Saint Mary’s, after guard Wayne Hunter went down after seven games.
The difference in this game will be Omar Samhan down low. Gonzaga does not have a lot of depth, and Samhan could force Robert Sacre into some foul trouble early. Saint Mary’s has the guards to hang with Gonzaga, and the Gaels are never easy to beat on their home court.
Saint Mary’s is a surprising 14-2 with wins over San Diego State and at Utah State and Oregon. Center Omar Samhan is one of the best big men in the country, averaging 21-11 every night to go with 2.6 blocks. The backcourt of Matthew Dellavedova and Mickey McConnell is versatile and can do a variety of things. They combine to average 26.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 10.5 assists per game, and both shoot better than 42 percent from three. Mickey McConnell leads the WCC with a 2.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and Matthew Dellavedova is second at 2.4-to-1.
Former Indiana transfer Ben Allen is an excellent shooter and passer for his size, and he can also rebound well. Forward Clint Steindl has started the last 10 games for Saint Mary’s, after guard Wayne Hunter went down after seven games.
The difference in this game will be Omar Samhan down low. Gonzaga does not have a lot of depth, and Samhan could force Robert Sacre into some foul trouble early. Saint Mary’s has the guards to hang with Gonzaga, and the Gaels are never easy to beat on their home court.