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2023–24 Saint Mary's Gaels men's basketball team

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2023–24 Saint Mary's Gaels men's basketball
NCAA tournament, First round
ConferenceWest Coast Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 22
APNo. 21
Record26–8 (15–1 WCC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaUniversity Credit Union Pavilion
(Capacity: 3,500)
Seasons
2023–24 West Coast Conference men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
No. 21 Saint Mary's 15 1   .938 26 8   .765
No. 15 Gonzaga 14 2   .875 27 8   .771
San Francisco 11 5   .688 23 11   .676
Santa Clara 10 6   .625 20 13   .606
San Diego 7 9   .438 18 15   .545
Portland 5 11   .313 12 21   .364
Loyola Marymount 5 11   .313 12 19   .387
Pepperdine 5 11   .313 13 20   .394
Pacific 0 16   .000 6 26   .188
2024 WCC tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2023–24 Saint Mary's Gaels men's basketball team represented Saint Mary's College of California during the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team was led by head coach Randy Bennett in his 23rd season at Saint Mary's. The Gaels played their home games at the University Credit Union Pavilion[a] in Moraga, California, as members of the West Coast Conference (WCC). They finished the season 26–8, 15–1 in WCC play to win the regular season championship. As the No. 1 seed in the WCC tournament, they defeated Santa Clara in the semifinals and beat Gonzaga in the championship to win the WCC tournament. Therefore, they received an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament where as the No. 5 seed in the West region, they were upset in the first round by Grand Canyon.

Previous season

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The Gaels finished the 2022–23 season 27–8, 14–2 in WCC play, to win the WCC regular season championship with Gonzaga. In the WCC tournament, they defeated BYU in the semifinals before losing to Gonzaga in the championship. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 5 seed in the West region. There they defeated VCU in the first round before losing to national champion UConn in the second round.

Offseason

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Departures

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Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Reason for departure
Logan Johnson 0 G 6'2" 177 GS Senior Mountain View, CA Graduated
Kyle Bowen 14 F 6'8" 222 Senior Perth, Australia Graduated
Matt Van Komen 22 C 7'4" 250 RS Junior Pleasant Grove, UT Transferred to Hawaii Pacific
Leemet Böckler 23 G 6'7" 215 Junior Tallinn, Estonia Signed to play professionally

2023 recruiting class

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US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Jordan Ross
#21 PG
Pleasant Grove, UT AZ Compass Prep 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Sep 18, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 80
Andrew McKeever
C
Livermore, CA Granada High School 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 250 lb (110 kg) Mar 11, 2023 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPNN/A   ESPN grade: 0
Jensen Bradtke
PF
Sandringham, Australia NBA Global Academy 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) N/A Nov 9, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPNN/A   ESPN grade: 0
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: nr   Rivals: nr  ESPN: nr
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "ESPN". ESPN.com.
  • "2023 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

2024 recruiting class

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US college sports recruiting information for 2024 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Zion Sensley
#8 PF
San Francisco, CA Archbishop Riordan High School 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Aug 24, 2023 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 87
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: nr   Rivals: nr  ESPN: nr
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

Roster

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2023–24 Saint Mary's Gaels men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown
C 1 Harry Wessels 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 255 lb (116 kg) So AIS Centre of Excellence Boddington, Australia
G 2 Jordan Ross 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Fr Link Academy Layton, UT
G 3 Augustas Marčiulionis 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Jr Rytas Vilnius Vilnius, Lithuania
F 5 Joshua Jefferson 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) So Liberty HS Las Vegas, NV
C 11 Mitchell Saxen 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 242 lb (110 kg) Sr Ingraham HS Seattle, WA
G 14 Rory Hawke 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) RS Fr AIS Centre of Excellence Townsville, Australia
G 15 Chris Howell 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 195 lb (88 kg) RS So Torrey Pines HS San Diego, CA
G 20 Aidan Mahaney 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) So Campolindo HS Lafayette, CA
G 22 Cade Bennett (W) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) RS Fr Campolindo HS Moraga, CA
F 24 Kevin Gad (W) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 195 lb (88 kg) RS Fr Granada HS Livermore, CA
F 25 Mason Forbes 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) RS Sr Folsom HS
Harvard
Folsom, CA
G/F 33 Luke Barrett 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) RS Jr Piedmont HS Piedmont, CA
G/F 44 Alex Ducas 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) GS AIS Centre of Excellence Geraldton, Australia
C 45 Andrew McKeever 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 255 lb (116 kg) Fr Granada HS Livermore, CA
F 50 Jensen Bradtke 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Fr NBA Global Academy Sandringham, Australia
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: 2024-05-16

Schedule and results

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Date
time, TV
Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
October 20, 2023*
10:00 p.m., 
No. 23 at Hawaii
Charity Exhibition for Maui Wildfire Relief
W 92–58 
 25  Mahaney   8  Barrett   6  Marčiulionis  Stan Sheriff Center (4,902)
Honolulu, HI
Non-conference regular season
November 6, 2023*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+
No. 23 Stanislaus State W 107–28  1–0
 19  Forbes   8  tied   5  Mahaney  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,318)
Moraga, CA
November 9, 2023*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+
No. 23 New Mexico W 72–58  2–0
 25  Mahaney   7  Saxen   5  Marčiulionis  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,500)
Moraga, CA
November 12, 2023*
5:00 p.m., ESPN+
No. 23 Weber State L 57–61  2–1
 11  tied   8  Jefferson   3  tied  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,389)
Moraga, CA
November 17, 2023*
6:30 p.m., ESPN+
vs. San Diego State
Continental Tire Main Event semifinals
L 54–79  2–2
 16  Saxen   8  Saxen   4  Jefferson  T-Mobile Arena (−)
Paradise, NV
November 19, 2023*
4:30 p.m., ESPN+
vs. Xavier
Continental Tire Main Event consolation
L 49–66  2–3
 14  Marčiulionis   14  Saxen   3  Marčiulionis  T-Mobile Arena (−)
Paradise, NV
November 24, 2023*
1:00 p.m., ESPN+
Davidson W 89–55  3–3
 23  Ducas   11  Saxen   5  tied  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,411)
Moraga, CA
November 27, 2023
8:00 p.m., ESPNU
Utah L 71–78  3–4
 22  Mahaney   10  Saxen   5  Mahaney  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,500)
Moraga, CA
December 1, 2023*
7:30 p.m., FS1
vs. Boise State L 60–63  3–5
 19  Mahaney   8  Saxen   4  Marčiulionis  Mountain America Center (4,985)
Idaho Falls, ID
December 5, 2023*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+
Cleveland State W 70–57  4–5
 20  Saxen   8  tied   5  Marčiulionis  University Credit Union Pavilion (2,964)
Moraga, CA
December 9, 2023*
3:30 p.m., CBSSN
at No. 13 Colorado State W 64–61  5–5
 18  Marčiulionis   13  Jefferson   3  tied  Moby Arena (8,083)
Fort Collins, CO
December 16, 2023*
4:00 p.m., ESPN+
vs. UNLV
Jerry Colangelo Classic
W 69–67 2OT 6–5
 23  Saxen   16  Saxen   3  tied  Footprint Center (−)
Phoenix, AZ
December 19, 2023*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+
Middle Tennessee W 71–34  7–5
 20  Wessels   7  Jefferson   3  Marčiulionis  University Credit Union Pavilion (2,931)
Moraga, CA
December 21, 2023*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+
Northern Kentucky W 92–56  8–5
 18  Marčiulionis   13  Saxen   8  Marčiulionis  University Credit Union Pavilion (2,877)
Moraga, CA
December 23, 2023*
5:00 p.m., ESPN+
Missouri State L 64–69  8–6
 17  Marčiulionis   10  Saxen   5  Marčiulionis  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,412)
Moraga, CA
December 29, 2023*
5:00 p.m., ESPN+
Kent State W 66–46  9–6
 19  Barrett   12  Ducas   7  Marčiulionis  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,380)
Moraga, CA
WCC regular season
January 4, 2024
8:00 p.m., CBSSN
at San Diego W 81–70  10–6
(1–0)
 25  Mahaney   7  Barrett   10  Marčiulionis  Jenny Craig Pavilion (1,159)
San Diego, CA
January 6, 2024
6:00 p.m., ESPN+
at Loyola Marymount W 68–64  11–6
(2–0)
 22  Marčiulionis   9  Jefferson   4  Ducas  Gersten Pavilion (1,566)
Los Angeles, CA
January 11, 2024
8:00 p.m., ESPNU
Portland W 95–52  12–6
(3–0)
 25  Mahaney   9  Ducas   8  Jefferson  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,373)
Moraga, CA
January 13, 2024
4:00 p.m., ESPN+
at Santa Clara W 73–49  13–6
(4–0)
 18  Mahaney   8  Wessels   10  Marčiulionis  Leavey Center (4,200)
Santa Clara, CA
January 20, 2024
7:00 p.m., CBSSN
at San Francisco W 77–60  14–6
(5–0)
 22  Mahaney   10  Jefferson   7  Marčiulionis  War Memorial Gymnasium (3,432)
San Francisco, CA
January 25, 2024
8:00 p.m., CBSSN
Pacific W 76–28  15–6
(6–0)
 11  tied   9  Saxen   4  Ducas  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,286)
Moraga, CA
January 27, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPNU
Loyola Marymount W 70–65  16–6
(7–0)
 25  Marčiulionis   6  tied   7  Marčiulionis  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,500)
Moraga, CA
January 31, 2024
8:00 p.m., ESPNU
Santa Clara W 82–77  17–6
(8–0)
 20  Marčiulionis   6  tied   6  Marčiulionis  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,411)
Moraga, CA
February 3, 2024
7:30 p.m., ESPN
at Gonzaga
Rivalry
W 64–62  18–6
(9–0)
 20  Mahaney   11  Jefferson   4  tied  McCarthey Athletic Center (6,000)
Spokane, WA
February 6, 2024
8:00 p.m., ESPN2
at Pacific W 84–43  19–6
(10–0)
 18  Ducas   6  tied   5  Marčiulionis  Alex G. Spanos Center (1,911)
Stockton, CA
February 10, 2024
5:30 p.m., ESPN+
at Portland W 76–51  20–6
(11–0)
 19  Mahaney   7  Mahaney   8  Marčiulionis  Chiles Center (2,158)
Portland, OR
February 15, 2024
8:00 p.m., CBSSN
No. 18 Pepperdine W 103–59  21–6
(12–0)
 28  Marčiulionis   7  tied   6  Marčiulionis  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,500)
Moraga, CA
February 20, 2024
8:00 p.m., ESPN2
No. 18 San Francisco W 70–66  22–6
(13–0)
 20  Saxen   13  Saxen   4  Marčiulionis  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,500)
Moraga, CA
February 24, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPNU
No. 18 San Diego W 88–62  23–6
(14–0)
 20  Saxen   12  Ducas   10  Marčiulionis  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,500)
Moraga, CA
February 29, 2024
8:00 p.m., CBSSN
No. 17 at Pepperdine W 83–57  24–6
(15–0)
 17  Marčiulionis   10  Ducas   11  Marčiulionis  Firestone Fieldhouse (1,057)
Malibu, CA
March 2, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN
No. 17 No. 23 Gonzaga
Rivalry
L 57–70  24–7
(15–1)
 16  Mahaney   7  Ducas   5  Marčiulionis  University Credit Union Pavilion (3,500)
Moraga, CA
WCC tournament
March 11, 2024
6:00 p.m., ESPN
(1) No. 21 vs. (4) Santa Clara
Semifinals
W 79–65  25–7
 21  Ducas   8  tied   6  Marčiulionis  Orleans Arena (4,885)
Paradise, NV
March 12, 2024
6:00 p.m., ESPN
(1) No. 21 vs. (2) No. 17 Gonzaga
Championship
W 69–60  26–7
 23  Mahaney   15  Saxen   8  Marčiulionis  Orleans Arena (5,794)
Paradise, NV
NCAA tournament
March 22, 2024
7:05 p.m., TruTV
(5 W) No. 15 vs. (12 W) Grand Canyon
First round
L 66–75  26–8
 14  Saxen   11  Saxen   8  Marčiulionis  Spokane Arena (11,616)
Spokane, WA
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Pacific Time.

Source[1]

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre12345678910111213141516171819Final
AP23RVRVRVRV18181723211521
Coaches2324RVRVRV19181721201522

Notes

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  1. ^ Formerly known as McKeon Pavilion

References

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