SMC Men's Basketball Opens Season Tomorrow Versus Memphis
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Over eight months since they last stepped off the court in Las Vegas, Saint Mary's returns to the hardwood tomorrow for their season opener against Memphis as part of the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic.
GAME INFORMATION
Game No. 1 vs. Memphis Tigers
Date/Time: Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 11:00 a.m. PT
Location: Sanford Pentagon (Sioux Falls, S.D.)
TV: ESPN2 (Rich Hollenberg, Dan Dakich)
Radio: Tune In (Alex Jensen)
WATCH | LISTEN | LIVE STATS
Gaels' all-time head to head record: 0-2 (Last meeting: 3/21/13, N, MEM 54 — SMC 52)
SEASON PREVIEW
The Gaels had another brilliant season in 2019-20 as head coach Randy Bennett's club went 26-8, reached the WCC Championship finals, and would've made their third NCAA Tournament appearance in the past four years had the season not been cancelled. Saint Mary's will be a new look team this season however as the team returns only seven of the 15-man roster from last year.
Bennett will need to replace over 72 percent of last year's scoring after the departure of Saint Mary's "Big Three" of Jordan Ford, Malik Fitts, and Tanner Krebs.
Matthias Tass looks poised to help fill that void as the junior center was named to his first ever All-WCC Preseason Team earlier this month. Tommy Kuhse and Logan Johnson are projected to be the team's starting backcourt and should cause fits defensively for opposing guards in addition to their ball-handling and offensive upside. Dan Fotu will slide back to his natural power forward position this season after leading the Gaels in field goal percentage last year while Alex Ducas figures to be one of the team's top offensive threats following his freshman campaign where he shot 41 percent from deep.
After playing in 31 games as a true freshman, Kyle Bowen will provide depth off the bench in the front court. The Gaels will rely on their five new freshmen for key minutes this season as well as 7-4 Utah transfer Matt Van Komen who was granted a waiver to immediately compete this season. Last but not least, SMC will get sharpshooting Quinn Clinton back after the guard had to redshirt last season due to injury.
GAELS SUCCEED ON OPENING DAY
Saint Mary's has won their season opener in each of the past 18 seasons. The last time the Gaels lost on opening day was during Bennett's first season as head coach.
SMC posted arguably their most impressive season-opening win last year at the Sanford Pentagon when they took down Wisconsin in overtime. Saint Mary's began the year No. 20 in the country and jumped to No. 18 after the win.
ABOUT MEMPHIS
The Tigers posted a record of 21-10 last season and went 10-8 in the American Athletic Conference. Head coach Penny Hardaway had the nation's top freshman recruiting class and it showed as one-and-done's James Wiseman (No. 3 overall) and Precious Achiuwa (No. 20) were both selected in the first round of the NBA Draft this month.
Memphis still has a youthful roster even with the departure of two freshmen as there are just four upperclassmen for the Tigers and no seniors. Sophomore forward DJ Jeffries is the team's leading scorer after posting 10.8 ppg as a freshman while Virginia Tech transfer Landers Nolley II should be a difference maker as he totaled over 15 points per game for the Hokies last year.
Saint Mary's and Memphis have met twice before with the most recent matchup coming in the second round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament. The Gaels rallied late in the game and Matthew Dellavedova had a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the win but it went wide and SMC ultimately fell 54-52.
TOURNAMENT BRACKET
Following the contest against Memphis, Saint Mary's will play either Northern Iowa or Western Kentucky on Thanksgiving day. More information about the bracket can be found by clicking here.
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