Saint Mary's Gaels: A Defensive Powerhouse in College Basketball
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The age-old adage that “defense wins championships” is one that rings true for Saint Mary’s Gaels, even though they have yet to clinch a Division I title. Their consistent presence in the NCAA Tournament, making it to the big dance six times in the last eight years, speaks volumes.
On Friday, the seventh-seeded Gaels (28-5) are set to face the No. 10 seed Vanderbilt (20-12) in the first round held in Cleveland. This battle takes place in the East Region, with the victor moving on to play against the winner of the matchup between No. 2 Alabama and No. 15 Robert Morris.
To triumph over the Gaels, opponents must push themselves to the limit to score. Their formidable defense and toughness have been pivotal this season. Saint Mary’s is third in the nation for fewest 3-pointers allowed (5.3 per game), seventh for defensive rebounds allowed (20.7), and fifth for points allowed with just 60.7.
Part of their defensive prowess stems from dominating the boards, averaging 39.8 rebounds each game. Senior standout Mitchell Saxen secures 7.9 of these rebounds, driven by the simple but effective philosophy of “crash.”
“I’ve lost count of the number of practices where our coaches shouted ‘crash’ as soon as a shot went up,” Saxen shared. “It’s all about this mindset of moving on to the next play and job, positioning myself when a shot goes up, and competing for those critical threes and fours.”
Among their 6.2 steals per game, 1.4 can be attributed to guard Augustas Marciulionis, following in the footsteps of his father, Basketball Hall of Famer Šarūnas Marciulionis.
This defensive caliber is player-driven but rooted in Randy Bennett’s coaching legacy, as he wraps up his 24th season with the team. His coaching tweaks in defensive strategies have consistently kept the squad among the best.
“The game has evolved, and so has the way we’ve approached on-ball defense and pick-and-rolls,” Bennett explained. “We were early adopters back in 2010 with talents like Delly and Micky, and that defensive ethos has only grown stronger in college basketball.”
Reflecting on 2010, that same year marked a breakthrough with the backcourt duo of Matthew Dellavedova and Mickey McConnell, propelling the team to their first Sweet 16 since 1959. Despite a stellar 26-5 record, they landed a No. 10 seed but overcame it by defeating No. 7 Richmond and No. 2 Villanova.
Ironically, the 2010 squad leaned more on their scoring abilities than restricting opponents, ranking 21st in points scored at 78.5, versus 124th in points allowed at 66.4. Yet, they excelled elsewhere defensively, notably ranking seventh in limiting 3-pointers (4.2), 13th in forced turnovers (10.9), and 49th in steals (5.6).
Their defensive acumen has adapted to the dynamic nature of the game. “Every scout we’ve put together assesses how we’ll handle these on-ball plays,” Bennett stated. “Teams are refining their strategies, guards are enhancing their skills, and there are more shooters—it’s all about covering the ground and denying 3-point opportunities.”
Saint Mary’s reached the round of 32 in 2023 but met their match against No. 12-seed Grand Canyon in 2024. Despite a shooting percentage of 38.8%, compared to Grand Canyon’s 42.9%, the Gaels struggled equally in physicality, allowing 36 free throw attempts, of which 28 were successful.
Seniors Saxen, Marciulionis, and Luke Barrett are seeking to leave their mark in their final chance together. “Our mentality going into every game is to mentally break down our opponents,” Barrett expressed. “We know our defense, rebounding, and effort can sustain us through a full 40-minute contest.”
This season, two teams—the Utah State and Washington State—managed a tie for the most points against the Gaels (75). Scoring 79.6 points on average, Vanderbilt, ranked 48th nationally, will test the Gaels’ defense on Friday.
To secure a victory, the Gaels must rely on their seniors’ leadership and stay true to their defensive character. “We pride ourselves in our day-to-day dedication,” Barrett noted. “In more significant games, sticking to what has gotten us this far will see us through.”