Record-Setting Basketball

No. 7 in the NCAAs after historic season

The nationally ranked Saint Mary’s men’s basketball team kept checking off the records and the column that said “first-ever” during a historic run over the 2016-17 season. For the first time in school history, the Gaels were ranked in the national polls all season, a record 19 straight weeks, reaching a school-record ranking of No. 12 at one stretch during the season.

SMC finished the year tying a school-record 29 wins, and marking the first time in school history they have finished with 29 wins in back-to-back seasons. Overall the Gaels finished 29-5 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament, winning their first-round game for just the second time in school history.

The first-ever column started to fill up and began with a national broadcast of ESPN’s College Game Day, live from McKeon Pavilion in February. The broadcast brought in over 2 million viewers for the day and was capped off by a sold-out McKeon Pavilion for a matchup with Gonzaga.

The national and local exposure didn't stop there. Saint Mary’s was selected into the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed, tying the highest seed they have received in school history. Playing in the NCAA Tournament brought on more television time, with the Gaels showcased on a CBS national broadcast for just the second time in school history since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

Saint Mary’s wrapped up the year collecting team and individual accolades. The Gaels finished second in the nation in defense, holding opponents to only 57.5 points per game. Senior Joe Rahon was named the West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and juniors Jock Landale and Calvin Hermanson were named First Team All-WCC.

As the Gaels put this historic run behind them, they are excited to pack McKeon Pavilion again with fans as four starters return to the court next year.