Saint Mary’s vs Boise State Preview

Dec 5, 2013; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State player Mikey Thompson (1) drives to the baseline around Carroll College Saints guard Zach Taylor (3) during the second half at Taco Bell Arena. Boise State defeated Carroll 80-52. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

The Saint Mary’s Gaels have proved critics wrong again in the beginning of the season, starting off 7-0 while playing tough mid-major talent. They will next travel to Boise, Idaho on Saturday to face off against another mid-major power in Boise State.

This record ties a Saint Mary’s record under Randy Bennett for best start to the season since 2007-08 team and could crack the top-25 poll with a win.

Saint Mary’s is coming off a dominant 93-65 victory over Eastern Washington, where Brad Waldow scored 24 points and eight boards. The 6’9’’ center is leading the Gaels with 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds this season while shooting an impressive 68% from the field and has scored in double figures every game so far.

Senior point guard Stephen Holt has done a solid job thus far  replacing Matthew Dellavedova. Holt is averaging 12.6 points, five rebounds and nearly six assists.

Yet, the Gaels x-factor this season has come from an unlikely source. 6’1’’ transfer guard Kerry Carter has provided a nice spark off the bench, shooting close to 52% from downtown to make up for the offensive struggles by starting guard Jordan Giusti.

Saturday’s game will mark the first road game for the Gaels and it will be a very tough test against the Broncos of Boise State (8-1) who are coming off their first loss on the year at No. 11 Kentucky. Boise is currently ranked 10th in the country and return all five starters from a team that made the NCAA Tournament last season.

They are led by a high-scoring backcourt tandem in 6’6’’ Australian Anthony Drimic at 20 points per game and 6’3’’ Derrick Marks who adds 17.3. The Gaels guards will need to play tight defense as they have thus far and force the Bronco’s high scoring backcourt into turnovers, as they only average 12.1 assists per game as a team despite being very high scoring.

This game could be a possible preview game for a rematch when both teams play in Diamondhead Classic in Hawaii in a few weeks.