WCC BASKETBALL Gaels lack identity entering league play
St. Mary’s fans might be having a tough time figuring out exactly what type of team the Gaels are this season. Those fans aren’t alone.
“We’re not a finished product by any means. I’m still a little unsure of what we are,” Randy Bennett said.
The St. Mary’s head coach made that comment after the Gaels got by Northeastern 72-68 in overtime Monday night. Santa Clara visits McKeon Pavilion on Saturday afternoon to open WCC play.
The Gaels won five games to begin the season. They then dropped three of four before edging the Huskies. Only two players — center Brad Waldow and guard Kerry Carter — have started all 10 games.
“Most of our teams at this point, we’re pretty settled on a lineup,” Bennett said. “That’s not where we (are) with this team.”
Injuries and some inconsistent play have led to Bennett juggling his lineup; eight players have started at least two games. Freshman guard Emmett Naar missed Monday’s game because of an ankle injury. He’s listed as questionable for Saturday.
Waldow has been one constant. The 6-foot-10 senior is averaging a double-double, 21.7 points (second in the WCC) and 10.7 rebounds (tops in the conference). He’s a major reason the Gaels lead the WCC in rebounding margin at plus-11 per game.
“We have an identity on the boards,” Bennett said. “If we get good defensively, that’ll be two out of the three. Then (we’ll) see if we can tighten up our offense.”
The Broncos’ offense revolves around guards Brandon Clark (16.2 points per game) and Jared Brownridge (16.0). Santa Clara didn’t have a formidable front- court at the start of the season, and then lost forward Yannick Atanga to season-ending knee surgery after he played two games.
The teams split their two meetings last season: Brownridge hit a three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left to give Santa Clara a 57-55 win in Moraga. The Gaels then rolled 76-54 at the Leavey Center.
USF swept two games from Pacific last season. The Dons face the Tigers on Saturday afternoon in Stockton.