Gaels report: Notes, quotes

April 16, 2008
The Sports Xchange

Notes, quotes · Getting inside · Strategy and personnel

FINAL RECORD
25-7 overall, 12-2 in WCC, 2nd

WHAT WENT RIGHT
The Gaels got off to a great start, beating Drake and Oregon in the first two weeks of the season, and they were 23-3 late in the season. Freshman Patty Mills was even better than advertised, giving the Gaels the kind of speed they lacked. He had 37 points against Oregon in his fourth college game. Diamon Simpson was named all-conference again and was particularly effective late in the season. St. Mary's beat Gonzaga and had no bad losses. The Gaels spent much of the second half of the season in the top 25.

WHAT WENT WRONG
The Gaels did not finish well, losing four of their final six games. They sustained their only home loss to Kent State late in the season, and they blew a 15-point lead with 11 minutes left against San Diego in the WCC finals. Mills was erratic, and had more turnovers than assists 12 times. C Omar Samhan had problems defending post players, and his shoulder injury late in the season limited his effectiveness. The Gaels did not win anything -- not a regular-season title, not a conference tournament title, not a postseason game.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"You don't hang a banner because you won 25 games in a season. We didn't win anything." -- St. Mary's C Omar Samhan.