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August 23rd,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
St. Mary’s
Gaels
Overall Rank:
#78
Conference
Rank: #2 WCC
2005-06:
17-12, 8-6, 2nd (t)
2005-06
postseason: none
 It will be tough
for Saint Mary’s to replace a player like Daniel Kickert, but
his absence will not spell the end of the success of Coach Randy
Bennett and his Gaels. With a nice mix of youth and experience
returning, and a trio of newcomers ready to make an impact, St.
Mary’s has the best shot at knocking Gonzaga off the top spot in
the West Coast Conference.
Who’s Out:
There’s nothing like a 6-10 forward who leads your team in three
point shots made and three point percentage. Kickert could
spread out a WCC defense like no other. It will take some time
to adjust to not having him on the floor, yet his 16.7 points
and 5.6 boards can be replaced. Reda Rhalimi, a part-time
starter at center, didn’t see that many minutes for a starter.
The 7-0 Morocco native averaged 4.6 points and 2.8 rebounds
during his senior campaign. Seldom used forward Erik Bond has
also run out of eligibility.
Who’s In:
The
performance of the newcomers could decide whether this is a good
season or a great season for the Gaels. Tron Smith started ten
games at Arizona State as a freshman before having stints at UC
Riverside and Citrus College in California. The 6-2 guard is a
great scorer and will add to the tons of depth on the perimeter
that is being stockpiled in Moraga. DuBois Williams, a 6-5
wing, also comes to the Gaels via Arizona State. Williams has
the talent and athletic ability to contribute right away.
Seven-foot center Omar Samhan is the newcomer that is least
ready to play, but a solid contribution from him off the bench
will allow Coach Bennett to avoid having a small lineup on the
floor when the starting big guys need a rest.
Who to Watch:
Unless there is a major sophomore slump, Diamon Simpson is
expected to become a team leader and one of the more explosive
players in the conference. After a freshman season in which
Simpson averaged 8.2 points and a team high 6.9 rebounds off the
bench, big things are expected from the 6-8 forward once he
steps into a starting role. He isn’t alone up front with
forwards Brett Collins, Ian O’Leary and center Blake Sholberg
returning. Collins, a 6-5 Phoenix, Arizona native, developed
into a solid scoring option last year averaging 11.6 points per
game. O’Leary’s superb freshman campaign was overshadowed by
Simpson, but the 6-7 forward still managed 6.9 points and 3.6
boards per contest. Sholberg didn’t put up big numbers last
year with 4.0 points and 2.7 boards, but at 7-1, Sholberg
provides an experienced big body.
Final
Projection:
Guards John
Winston, Todd Golden and Wayne Hunter will share minutes with
Smith and Williams in the backcourt. Winston is a decent option
to run the point, but a little more consistency with the jump
shot would be helpful. Golden isn’t the most prolific scorer,
but he started 28 games last year and has the inside track on a
starting gig until Smith comes around. Hunter showed promise as
a freshman, averaging over 20 minutes per game. He might find
the minutes harder to come by this year, but Hunter can provide
a nice spark off the bench. It’s a deep squad, it’s a talented
squad, but as usual in the WCC, it’s not enough to overtake the
Zags.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected
Starting Five:
John Winston,
Senior, Guard, 8.3 points per game
Todd Golden,
Junior, Guard, 6.7 points per game
Brett Collins,
Senior, Forward, 11.6 points per game
Diamon Simpson,
Sophomore, Forward, 8.2 points per game
Blake Sholberg,
Senior, Center, 4.0 points per game
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