The Zags seemed to solve the Saint Mary's riddle on March 2 at Moraga, reversing a Feb. 3 loss to the Gaels. With wing Nolan Hickman having hit 59% of his triples in the preceding five games, Randy Bennett was unable to lay off on the perimeter as he had done in the first meeting; Mark Few expected as much, and when the Gaels challenged Hickman, he simply became a passer and located various Zags in more-open spaces in halfcourt. Meanwhile, Graham Ike (24 & 10) punished SMC in the paint, with Bennett minus 6-8 banger Joshua Jefferson (knee) to provide inside help. Like last season, expect the Zags to take the rubber match at the Orleans. Play Gonzaga (WCC at Las Vegas)