DANCIN'

#10 seed against #7 Miami . . can't complain after ugly loss to USD.

Going to the dance is what this season was all about - even if only for one game. The level of performance that St Mary's showed this year should be looked at in terms of dynasty development. While valuable talent moves on every year, there is a foundation at the Gaels that will be staying on, beyond the precocious talents of Mills.

Next year the WAC title is a must and an advance to the third round of the NCAA Tourney.

The year after - The World!!

ALLCANES-

I honestly don't know a whole lot about Miami hoops but it seems you rely pretty heavily on Jack McClinton at the guard spot.  Does he like to dribble penetrate alot?  Because honestly, that is one of our weaknesses.  We have a hard time containing guards that penetrate.

Our strenghts are on offense, particulary when we are playing true team basketball.  Lately many of our players have been slumping.  In fact most of the starting lineup- Mills, O'leary, Samhan, and Golden have been struggling in the latter part of the season, and I also fear that they have lost some confidence.  On the flipside, our PF, Simpson, has been playing out of his mind!  His effort has had to be too huge lately though, and he has tended to be nearly exhausted at the end of games.

We need to bounce back and get everyone back in the game.  I hope that they look at this as a new beginning and forget the dissapointing WCC tourney.   We need to start playing the way we played early in the season, when it was really a team effort.  Honestly when these guys are clicking offensively, they are very very difficult for anyone to stop.  The problem is consistency and particular weaknesses on Defense.

We play inside-out basketball. Which usally leaves McClinton open for a 3 or a lane to drive.  He can do both.  But if hes off we have others that can shot and we have good big men!  Like Collins who was the reason we beat Duke.

To be honest as a city of Miami fan the way he other teams have been doing we will probably get blown out.

As a SMC alum I obviously favor St. Mary's in this one and here is the reason why.  Our best offence is when we are in a fast-paced game.  i wouldn't say that we are a huge run-and-gun team but we are best in a transition half court set.  When the game slows down and it really grinds down our offence is not great.  This is why we lost our huge lead to San Diego in the Conference tourny and to Kent State at home.   And I just don't see Miami ( a BCS ACC team) being a slow it down grind it out team.  Granted I don't know much about them and I am sure they probably are a pretty good team in transition themselves.  But like I said I am a St. Mary's alum and this is our page.  In all seriousness it should be a good game.  Tight the whole way.

Go Gaels