As the Saint Mary's Gaels enter their offseason following their NIT quarterfinal loss to San Diego State, there are many questions that must be answered before next season.
1. Status of Patty Mills
The most pressing of which is whether or not Patty Mills will return to the Gaels for his junior season or jump to the NBA. Some ESPN pundits have him as high as a lottery pick but many draft boards have him in the late first round, if at all.
If he is to be a lottery pick, it will be adios Moraga and hello NYC for the NBA Draft.
If not, he will be the key to a team that could possibly win 20+ games again.
2. Replacing Diamon Simpson
Is there anything harder than replacing someone who holds six school records? Probably not.
But let's see... Simpson is the school record holder in rebounds, steals, blocks, free throws made, free throws attempted, and wins.
He is also the only player in WCC history to win two Defensive Player of the Year awards (2007-2008, 2008-2009).
Freshman Tim Williams, who red-shirted the season, will more than likely be the starting power forward next season but, of course, how will the freshman adjust? He is incredibly athletic and is more explosive on the offensive end than Simpson.
It will probably be a rotational system, possibly with four guards in the lineup at times.
3. Will Randy Bennett stay?
It is the question that always comes up every year for the successful mid-major. Will the coach stay? Virginia Commonwealth just lost their head coach to Alabama.
If the University of Arizona or Oregon come calling, whose to say Bennett won't leave?
Bennett might be a good fit at Oregon because they are looking to rebuild that program and when Bennett took over at Saint Mary's, the team was 2-27. After eight years at the helm of the Gaels, you never know.
4. Progression of role players
Wayne Hunter, Ben Allen, Clint Steindl, Mickey McConnell, Collin Chiverton, Tim Williams.
The progression of these six players will be the key to the Gaels' success. Whether or not Mills returns, the production of center Omar Samhan will not be enough to carry a team.
McConnell and Hunter made great strides this season. Many believed McConnell would be red-shirted this season but he developed into a very serviceable point guard.
McConnell's biggest problem is turnovers. This could be because this is the first season he got to play or it could be because he is not as quick as better guards in the NCAA. His ability to handle the ball and control the game could mean a difference of two-three wins.
Hunter's shot improves drastically from his freshman and sophomore years. He became a reliable three-point shooter, ending the season at 37.8 percent. He will also be a candidate for WCC Defensive Player of the Year.
Outside of Mills, he is the best at creating his own shot.
Steindl has the most fluid shot of amybody in a Gael uniform. His ability to consistently hit his shot could make the Gaels one of the best three-point shooting teams on the West Coast.
Allen's toughness down low, and the progression of freshmen Williams and Chiverton will also be crucial.
After consecutive seasons of 25 wins this mid-major is looking to continue this success and prove something in the NCAA Tournament. To say the least, this will be a crucial summer for the Gaels' program.
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