Saint Mary's Gaels Loose in Fog at San Diego

In last night's 74-66 loss to the WCC cellar dwelling University of San Diego Toreros, the Saint Mary's College Gaels looked befuddled and bemused. If they had been merely cold from beyond the three point arc, they would have had a shot at the end of the game, but they were sub arctic. As it was, the normally 39.3% distance shooters were 2 for 15. If they hit two more they are in the game to the end. This was Rob Jones' first trip back to his former basketball home. Many times these trips back home do not work out, witness C.C. Sabathia's trips to play before friends and family in the Bay Area. Jones never got on track and after an injury late in the first half was ineffective.

Last season the Gaels had big man Omar Samham as an inside scoring threat. When other teams attempted to double team Omar, Saint Mary's was able to get many open shots from three point range. This year they do not have the inside scoring threat and opponents have been defensing their long distance gunners on the perimeter. The Gaels have be able to adjust by driving down the lane from the top of the key. Last night, in addition to harassment at the perimeter, USD was able cut off some of Saint Mary's trips down the lane. Gaels' coach, Randy Bennett, did not have an answer. San Diego, not known as a three points shooting team, got hot and put the game away.

Randy Bennett needs to think about his offense as the post season approaches and make the appropriate adjustments. Go Gaels!