But that can only be true if the Tommies perform at a high level within their capabilities. And that didn’t happen in Monday’s season opener at Saint Mary’s.
St. Thomas shot a dismal 3 for 10 from the free throw line and 5 for 21 from beyond the arc in a 84-58 loss to the Gaels.
St. Thomas had an out-rebound of 41-28, but that was to be expected against a team of St. Mary’s size. But the Tommies did not excel in their expected areas of strength.
The offense looked hesitant against Saint Mary’s tall defenders for most of the evening.
There was one bright spot Nolan Minsalewho finished with a team-high 24 points. Nick Janowski had 14 points on 7 for 9 shooting, while Austin Herro added eight off the bench.
St. Thomas trailed by just two in the final minute of the first half, then Saint Mary’s closed the stanza with an 8-0 run, aided by a missed front end of a one-and-one at the free throw line and a turnover at midfield.
From that point on, the Gaels never lost momentum.
In the Tommies’ first season of NCAA Tournament eligibility, it wasn’t too early to start thinking about a restart ahead of Monday’s season opener.
Certainly, St. Thomas’ path to the dance is likely a one-way street through the Summit League tournament. But any success outside the conference could only help the Tommies’ cause. And opportunities to play against quality opponents for mid-majors are few and far between, given the current scheduling problem in men’s basketball.
Saint Mary’s is the top team on the Tommies’ regular season schedule. Now coach Johnny Tauer and co. see the bar they must try to approach by the end of the year.
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