Attendance today at Chattanooga was 2,633.
Post Season
Good article in today’s P&C about how the NCAA distributes units to the conferences. Yes, the article is mainly about women’s basketball, but it does have info that confirms the previous discussion on how much a unit is worth for the men’s tournament and how that money is distributed. By the way, kudos to Coach Dawn Staley for all she has done to grow women’s basketball. https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/c ... test_posts
it can be done... St Marys has been in NCAA last 4 years and 6 in last 10 years. Enrollment is 2004 and arena size of 3500(and not very nice) . SD beleives there are many things in common with Dins.
HOw did they do it?
Saint Mary's basketball program has risen to prominence through a combination of strategic coaching, player development, recruiting innovation, and a strong team culture. Here’s a breakdown of the key factors behind their success:
Randy Bennett’s Leadership: The turning point for Saint Mary's came with the arrival of head coach Randy Bennett in 2001. At the time, the Gaels were struggling, coming off a 2-27 season. Bennett, who had experience as an assistant at San Diego and other programs, brought a clear vision and a gritty, disciplined approach. Over his 24-year tenure (as of 2025), he’s become the program’s all-time winningest coach, surpassing 450 victories and earning seven West Coast Conference (WCC) Coach of the Year awards. His consistency has been crucial—Saint Mary’s has made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, 10 under Bennett, and has secured multiple WCC regular-season and tournament titles.
Australian Pipeline: One of Bennett’s masterstrokes was tapping into Australian talent, starting with Adam Caporn in 2001. This move was unconventional at the time but paid off as players like Daniel Kickert and Patty Mills followed, elevating the program’s profile. Mills, a standout freshman in 2007-08, later became an NBA star, putting Saint Mary's on the map. Since then, the Gaels have consistently recruited Australians—think Matthew Dellavedova and Jock Landale—who bring skill, toughness, and a unique playing style. This pipeline has given Saint Mary’s a competitive edge and a distinct identity.
Player Development and Continuity: Unlike many programs that rely heavily on one-and-done stars or transfer portal quick fixes, Saint Mary’s emphasizes developing talent over time. Players like Luke Barrett, a walk-on who became a key contributor, exemplify this approach. The Gaels often redshirt players or bring them along slowly, fostering a cohesive unit that peaks later in their careers. This continuity has led to a remarkable record: since 2001, Saint Mary's has had only one losing season and has made 14 straight postseason appearances as of 2022.
Defensive Identity and Grit: Bennett’s teams are known for their “gritty, not pretty” style, prioritizing lock-down defense, rebounding, and physicality. Posts on X and analyses from outlets like Sports Illustrated highlight how Saint Mary’s grinds opponents down with elite defense and size. This was evident in their 2024-25 NCAA Tournament win over Vanderbilt (59-56), where they rallied despite foul trouble. Their ability to win close, low-scoring games has become a hallmark of their success.
Overcoming Early Struggles: Saint Mary’s resilience is another factor. Take the 2023-24 season: after a 3-5 start, they went 23-3 in their next 26 games, sweeping the WCC titles. This turnaround, noted by commentators like John Fanta on X, underscores Bennett’s ability to adapt and rally his squad. Historically, the program improved incrementally under Bennett—from 9-20 in 2001-02 to 19-12 by 2003-04—setting the stage for sustained success.
Rivalry with Gonzaga: Playing in the shadow of Gonzaga, a WCC powerhouse, has both challenged and motivated Saint Mary’s. While Gonzaga often grabs the spotlight, Saint Mary’s has carved out its own niche, beating the Bulldogs in key games (e.g., the 2010 and 2012 WCC Tournaments) and occasionally claiming the conference crown. This rivalry has pushed Bennett to build a program that’s consistently competitive, even if it’s less flashy.
Small-School Advantages: With a cozy 3,500-seat arena (University Credit Union Pavilion) and a tight-knit campus in Moraga, California, Saint Mary’s fosters a strong community feel. This environment, paired with small class sizes and personalized coaching, attracts players who thrive in a less high-pressure setting compared to Power 5 schools. It’s a formula that’s earned them recognition as a top non-Power 5 program.
In short, Saint Mary’s basketball success stems from Bennett’s long-term vision, a knack for finding overlooked talent (especially from Australia), a focus on development over transfers, and a tenacious, defense-first mentality. They’ve turned a small Catholic school into a national contender, proving that consistency and culture can compete with bigger names.
HOw did they do it?
Saint Mary's basketball program has risen to prominence through a combination of strategic coaching, player development, recruiting innovation, and a strong team culture. Here’s a breakdown of the key factors behind their success:
Randy Bennett’s Leadership: The turning point for Saint Mary's came with the arrival of head coach Randy Bennett in 2001. At the time, the Gaels were struggling, coming off a 2-27 season. Bennett, who had experience as an assistant at San Diego and other programs, brought a clear vision and a gritty, disciplined approach. Over his 24-year tenure (as of 2025), he’s become the program’s all-time winningest coach, surpassing 450 victories and earning seven West Coast Conference (WCC) Coach of the Year awards. His consistency has been crucial—Saint Mary’s has made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, 10 under Bennett, and has secured multiple WCC regular-season and tournament titles.
Australian Pipeline: One of Bennett’s masterstrokes was tapping into Australian talent, starting with Adam Caporn in 2001. This move was unconventional at the time but paid off as players like Daniel Kickert and Patty Mills followed, elevating the program’s profile. Mills, a standout freshman in 2007-08, later became an NBA star, putting Saint Mary's on the map. Since then, the Gaels have consistently recruited Australians—think Matthew Dellavedova and Jock Landale—who bring skill, toughness, and a unique playing style. This pipeline has given Saint Mary’s a competitive edge and a distinct identity.
Player Development and Continuity: Unlike many programs that rely heavily on one-and-done stars or transfer portal quick fixes, Saint Mary’s emphasizes developing talent over time. Players like Luke Barrett, a walk-on who became a key contributor, exemplify this approach. The Gaels often redshirt players or bring them along slowly, fostering a cohesive unit that peaks later in their careers. This continuity has led to a remarkable record: since 2001, Saint Mary's has had only one losing season and has made 14 straight postseason appearances as of 2022.
Defensive Identity and Grit: Bennett’s teams are known for their “gritty, not pretty” style, prioritizing lock-down defense, rebounding, and physicality. Posts on X and analyses from outlets like Sports Illustrated highlight how Saint Mary’s grinds opponents down with elite defense and size. This was evident in their 2024-25 NCAA Tournament win over Vanderbilt (59-56), where they rallied despite foul trouble. Their ability to win close, low-scoring games has become a hallmark of their success.
Overcoming Early Struggles: Saint Mary’s resilience is another factor. Take the 2023-24 season: after a 3-5 start, they went 23-3 in their next 26 games, sweeping the WCC titles. This turnaround, noted by commentators like John Fanta on X, underscores Bennett’s ability to adapt and rally his squad. Historically, the program improved incrementally under Bennett—from 9-20 in 2001-02 to 19-12 by 2003-04—setting the stage for sustained success.
Rivalry with Gonzaga: Playing in the shadow of Gonzaga, a WCC powerhouse, has both challenged and motivated Saint Mary’s. While Gonzaga often grabs the spotlight, Saint Mary’s has carved out its own niche, beating the Bulldogs in key games (e.g., the 2010 and 2012 WCC Tournaments) and occasionally claiming the conference crown. This rivalry has pushed Bennett to build a program that’s consistently competitive, even if it’s less flashy.
Small-School Advantages: With a cozy 3,500-seat arena (University Credit Union Pavilion) and a tight-knit campus in Moraga, California, Saint Mary’s fosters a strong community feel. This environment, paired with small class sizes and personalized coaching, attracts players who thrive in a less high-pressure setting compared to Power 5 schools. It’s a formula that’s earned them recognition as a top non-Power 5 program.
In short, Saint Mary’s basketball success stems from Bennett’s long-term vision, a knack for finding overlooked talent (especially from Australia), a focus on development over transfers, and a tenacious, defense-first mentality. They’ve turned a small Catholic school into a national contender, proving that consistency and culture can compete with bigger names.
BTW, I've been to Illinois State. 20k+ student public school. They are in Normal/Bloomingdale IL where State Farm Insurance is headquartered and get a lot of State Farm money. and their 10,200 seat arena has a naming rights with CEFCU which is a big Illinois Credit Union. It is every bit of a high major D1 looking facility. Football facility is nice too and they have a great two story box area on top of the home side.
They do not have to spend on football.Sad Din wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 6:50 pmit can be done... St Marys has been in NCAA last 4 years and 6 in last 10 years. Enrollment is 2004 and arena size of 3500(and not very nice) . SD beleives there are many things in common with Dins.
HOw did they do it?
Saint Mary's basketball program has risen to prominence through a combination of strategic coaching, player development, recruiting innovation, and a strong team culture. Here’s a breakdown of the key factors behind their success:
Randy Bennett’s Leadership: The turning point for Saint Mary's came with the arrival of head coach Randy Bennett in 2001. At the time, the Gaels were struggling, coming off a 2-27 season. Bennett, who had experience as an assistant at San Diego and other programs, brought a clear vision and a gritty, disciplined approach. Over his 24-year tenure (as of 2025), he’s become the program’s all-time winningest coach, surpassing 450 victories and earning seven West Coast Conference (WCC) Coach of the Year awards. His consistency has been crucial—Saint Mary’s has made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, 10 under Bennett, and has secured multiple WCC regular-season and tournament titles.
Australian Pipeline: One of Bennett’s masterstrokes was tapping into Australian talent, starting with Adam Caporn in 2001. This move was unconventional at the time but paid off as players like Daniel Kickert and Patty Mills followed, elevating the program’s profile. Mills, a standout freshman in 2007-08, later became an NBA star, putting Saint Mary's on the map. Since then, the Gaels have consistently recruited Australians—think Matthew Dellavedova and Jock Landale—who bring skill, toughness, and a unique playing style. This pipeline has given Saint Mary’s a competitive edge and a distinct identity.
Player Development and Continuity: Unlike many programs that rely heavily on one-and-done stars or transfer portal quick fixes, Saint Mary’s emphasizes developing talent over time. Players like Luke Barrett, a walk-on who became a key contributor, exemplify this approach. The Gaels often redshirt players or bring them along slowly, fostering a cohesive unit that peaks later in their careers. This continuity has led to a remarkable record: since 2001, Saint Mary's has had only one losing season and has made 14 straight postseason appearances as of 2022.
Defensive Identity and Grit: Bennett’s teams are known for their “gritty, not pretty” style, prioritizing lock-down defense, rebounding, and physicality. Posts on X and analyses from outlets like Sports Illustrated highlight how Saint Mary’s grinds opponents down with elite defense and size. This was evident in their 2024-25 NCAA Tournament win over Vanderbilt (59-56), where they rallied despite foul trouble. Their ability to win close, low-scoring games has become a hallmark of their success.
Overcoming Early Struggles: Saint Mary’s resilience is another factor. Take the 2023-24 season: after a 3-5 start, they went 23-3 in their next 26 games, sweeping the WCC titles. This turnaround, noted by commentators like John Fanta on X, underscores Bennett’s ability to adapt and rally his squad. Historically, the program improved incrementally under Bennett—from 9-20 in 2001-02 to 19-12 by 2003-04—setting the stage for sustained success.
Rivalry with Gonzaga: Playing in the shadow of Gonzaga, a WCC powerhouse, has both challenged and motivated Saint Mary’s. While Gonzaga often grabs the spotlight, Saint Mary’s has carved out its own niche, beating the Bulldogs in key games (e.g., the 2010 and 2012 WCC Tournaments) and occasionally claiming the conference crown. This rivalry has pushed Bennett to build a program that’s consistently competitive, even if it’s less flashy.
Small-School Advantages: With a cozy 3,500-seat arena (University Credit Union Pavilion) and a tight-knit campus in Moraga, California, Saint Mary’s fosters a strong community feel. This environment, paired with small class sizes and personalized coaching, attracts players who thrive in a less high-pressure setting compared to Power 5 schools. It’s a formula that’s earned them recognition as a top non-Power 5 program.
In short, Saint Mary’s basketball success stems from Bennett’s long-term vision, a knack for finding overlooked talent (especially from Australia), a focus on development over transfers, and a tenacious, defense-first mentality. They’ve turned a small Catholic school into a national contender, proving that consistency and culture can compete with bigger names.
They do not have football.
They do have baseball.