Playing an 18-game conference season isn’t easy. The games take a toll on teams not only physically, but mentally too. The opponent knows the plays inside and out. They know who to guard and what to look for. In Creighton’s case, they may be looking forward to a trip to California to take on St. Mary’s on Saturday.
The game is part of the Bracketbusters series which was announced earlier this year that it would be the final set of games in its current format. What started off as a great opportunity for mid-level teams and an added scheduling option has finished out its useful life. As it turns out, both Creighton and St. Mary’s can use this game against each other and leave with a win.
To get a closer look at the Gaels, we reached out to Steve Kroner from the San Francisco Chronicle who covers the St. Mary’s beat on a regular basis. Here is what he had to say before Saturday’s 5:00 p.m. CT tip on ESPN.
White & Blue Review: St. Mary’s is always a force in the West Coast Conference. What were expectations heading into this season? Are they where they expected to be?
Steve Kroner: I think the expectations were what they’ve been for about the past five years: to contend for the WCC title and an NCAA Tournament bid. The hopes for a regular-season title are about gone, but the Gaels are solidly in second place and have a decent (but by no means certain) shot at the NCAAs.
WBR: Matthew Dellevadova is probably the biggest known player for the Gaels. What is the biggest strength he brings to the team?
SK: Matthew Dellavedova is one of the headiest players in the country. He not only makes the right pass at the right time, he also puts it in the right place; in other words, if he’s feeding a big man for a layup, he floats the ball toward the hoop, so the big man doesn’t have to do much but put the ball in the basket. He’s also strong physically and an excellent free-throw shooter.
WBR: Which player should Bluejay fans be on the look out for that could have a large impact on the game?
SK: Other than the obvious, Dellavedova, that’s a tough question. Last season, the answer would be easy: Rob Jones, who was an All-WCC forward who averaged a double-double. This season, the Gaels don’t have a definitive No. 2 player behind Dellavedova. The three most likely candidates: guard Stephen Holt (an excellent defensive player), center Brad Waldow and sixth-man Beau Levesque.
WBR: What kind of weaknesses does St. Mary’s have that Creighton could take advantage of?
SK: The Gaels’ team defense has fluctuated this season. Sometimes, it has been very good. Sometimes, not so good.
WBR: What is your opinion on the Bracketbusters series? Is there a reason why St. Mary’s is taking part this season versus the other WCC teams?
SK: I think the BracketBusters series has run its course. I think one of the original reasons for it was to get good mid-major programs some TV exposure a couple of weeks before Selection Sunday. But with the explosion of TV games and outlets in the past decade, most mid-major teams — certainly Creighton and St. Mary’s — get most of their games televised now, anyway. I’m not exactly sure why St. Mary’s is in BracketBusters this season (LMU was the only other WCC candidate), but I do know the Gaels have played in it in the three of the past four seasons: beating Utah State in ’09, losing to Utah State in ’11 and losing at Murray State last season.
WBR: St. Mary’s has went on the road twice this season to other MVC schools. How hard is it for the Gaels to schedule non-conference games? What keeps teams that are willing to play Gonzaga away from scheduling St. Mary’s.
SK: One reason St. Mary’s has trouble scheduling has something to do with Question 7 — bigger-name schools don’t want to play at McKeon because it’s so small (3,500 capacity) and it can be pretty loud.
WBR: What is the environment like on the Gaels home court?
SK: It’s a fun place to watch a game. The fans are really close to the action. In the past six seasons (including this one), the Gaels are 88-9 at home.
WBR: What is your final prediction? What will St. Mary’s need to do in order to walk away a winner?
SK: I won’t predict who’ll win the game. I will say St. Mary’s needs to do a good job on the boards (its average rebounding margin is +8.4) and needs to get more production from its frontcourt than it did last week in its loss to Gonzaga.