Here’s the previous teams we ranked in this series:
49. UCF Knights
52. Clemson Tigers
53. New Mexico Lobos
58. SMU Mustangs
60. Nevada Wolfpack
61. TCU Horned Frogs
63. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
65. Syracuse Orange
68. Iowa Hawkeyes
70. Butler Bulldogs
71. Princeton Tigers
74. Oklahoma Sooners
75. West Virginia Mountaineers
76. Georgia Bulldogs
77. UAB Blazers
80. Missouri Tigers
Additionally, here is where each of our analysts had the Gaels ranked:
| Steven | Maxwell | Kam | Cody |
| 57 | 60 | 40 | 46 |
2022-2023: The Randy Bennett Dynasty
Randy Bennett took over as head coach of Saint Mary’s in 2001 after a series of assistant coaching jobs and has since built one of the most consistent programs in college basketball. Under his leadership, the Gaels have made 10 NCAA tournament appearances, won 4 WCC Tournament titles, and Bennett himself has been named WCC Coach of the Year 6 times, all while maintaining an impressive win percentage of 71.2%. The 2022-2023 season was no exception to this standard of excellence, with Saint Mary’s finishing 27-8 overall and securing 1st place in the WCC with a 14-2 conference record.
The Gaels began the season strong, starting 6-0 in non-conference play before stumbling against a tough Washington squad, which triggered a brief cold streak. Over the next seven games, they lost four. However, once conference play started, the Gaels hit their stride, embarking on a 12-game winning streak that would carry them to the top of the WCC standings. In the conference tournament, they cruised past BYU in the first round before falling to their perennial rival Gonzaga in the final.
Despite the setback in the WCC Tournament, Saint Mary’s earned a 5-seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they faced VCU in the first round. They managed to fend off the Rams but ultimately couldn’t keep up with the pace of UConn, who would go on to win the national championship. The Gaels bowed out in the second round, but it was a season that aligned with the high standards expected of a Randy Bennett-coached team.
Offensive Philosophy: Bennett’s teams have always been known for their deliberate, methodical approach to offense, relying heavily on precision and efficiency. Much like Virginia, another defensive-minded program, Saint Mary’s plays a slow tempo, aiming to control the game through half-court sets. In 2022-2023, they averaged 70.7 points per game (ranked 200th nationally) and shot 45.5% from the field (115th in the nation). The Gaels were particularly strong from three-point range, ranking 56th in the country at 36.5%. This patient, efficient style makes them a tough opponent for any team, as they limit mistakes and maximize opportunities.
Defensive Dominance: On defense, Saint Mary’s was once again elite. They ranked among the top 5 nationally, allowing just 60.1 points per game. Bennett has instilled a hard-nosed, disciplined defensive culture at Saint Mary’s, where every player understands their role and contributes to the team’s success. The Gaels’ ability to slow the game down on offense and frustrate opponents with stingy defense has been a hallmark of their success for over a decade.
Key Players: The 2022-2023 Gaels were led by an impressive group of players. Senior guard Logan Johnson, the WCC Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-WCC selection, averaged 14.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Freshman guard Aidan Mahaney was another standout, earning first-team All-WCC honors by averaging 13.9 points and 2.0 assists per game. Senior wing Alex Ducas, an All-WCC second-team selection, added 12.5 points per game while shooting 41.4% from beyond the arc. Junior forward Mitchell Saxen also had a strong season, averaging 11.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game and earning first-team All-WCC honors.
With many of these key contributors returning, expectations for the Gaels in 2023-2024 were high.
2023-2024: Continued Domination
The 2023-2024 season arrived with significant expectations for Saint Mary’s, with many considering it one of Randy Bennett’s most talented teams ever. Though they lost senior Logan Johnson, the Gaels returned much of their core, including sophomore guard Aidan Mahaney, a preseason favorite for WCC Player of the Year, and senior big man Mitchell Saxen. Also returning were sharpshooting wing Alex Ducas and Lithuanian guard Augustas Marciulionis, who was poised to step into a larger role. Joshua Jefferson was expected to contribute alongside Saxen in the frontcourt, providing Saint Mary’s with a balanced and experienced lineup.
Offensively, the Gaels became even more efficient in 2023-2024, averaging 74 points per game (ranked 163rd nationally) while shooting 46.6% from the field (65th nationally). They also improved in rebounding, finishing 21st in the nation in offensive rebounding (13.2 per game) and 24th in total rebounding (39.6 per game). These improvements allowed them to maintain their methodical style of play while generating extra opportunities through offensive boards.
On the defensive side, Saint Mary’s remained elite, ranking 2nd nationally by allowing just 59.2 points per game. This defensive dominance, coupled with their offensive efficiency, made the Gaels one of the toughest teams in the nation to play against.
The Gaels finished the regular season 26-8 overall, with a 15-1 record in WCC play, securing the conference’s top spot once again. They breezed through the first round of the WCC Tournament, defeating Santa Clara, and then avenged their previous season’s loss to Gonzaga by beating them in the championship game. This victory propelled Saint Mary’s to a 5-seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, the Gaels’ tournament run was cut short by a high-powered Grand Canyon team, marking another early exit for Bennett’s squad.
Individual Standouts: Aidan Mahaney continued to lead the team, earning his second consecutive first-team All-WCC honor while averaging 13.9 points and 2.6 assists per game. Junior guard Augustas Marciulionis had a breakout season, averaging 12.4 points and 5.3 assists per game, and was named WCC Player of the Year. Senior Mitchell Saxen had a career year, averaging 11.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, earning his second All-WCC first-team selection as well as WCC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Alex Ducas, shooting 43.8% from three, made the All-WCC second team, while Joshua Jefferson also had a productive season, averaging 10.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
Looking Ahead: The 2024-2025 Season and Beyond
As Saint Mary’s gears up for the 2024-2025 season, the program remains one of the most consistent winners in college basketball under Randy Bennett, having posted at least 20 wins in 16 of the last 17 seasons. However, the Gaels will face some challenges in maintaining their dominance, as they lose key contributors Aidan Mahaney (transferred to UConn), Joshua Jefferson (transferred to Iowa State), and Alex Ducas (graduation). Despite these losses, Saint Mary’s will still return WCC Player of the Year Augustas Marciulionis and WCC Defensive Player of the Year Mitchell Saxen, providing a strong foundation for another successful season.
Saint Mary’s also made key additions in the offseason, headlined by 4-star recruit Mikey Lewis from Prolific Prep, the highest-rated recruit in program history. Joining him is 3-star guard Liam Campbell and former 4-star Memphis transfer forward Ashton Hardaway, who will look to contribute in the frontcourt. The Gaels also landed a talented international prospect in Lithuanian forward Paulius Murauskas, who impressed at the FIBA U-20 tournament and is expected to play a significant role this season.
Bennett’s ability to consistently develop talent, particularly from international pipelines, has been a hallmark of his success. This season, Saint Mary’s will return 42.9% of last season’s minutes and 55.6% of its scoring production, leaving room for new contributors to emerge.
The expectations for 2024-2025 will once again be high, with hopes of finally advancing past the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 15 years. While Marciulionis is an early favorite to repeat as WCC Player of the Year, a breakout season from Paulius Murauskas could give the Gaels a dynamic inside-out threat. As always, Saint Mary’s will be a force in the WCC, with both the Gaels and Gonzaga likely finishing in the AP Top 25.
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