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College Basketball Power Rankings: Week 18

By Nathaniel Reeves

Feb 1, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason (0) celebrates after forcing a turnover during the second half of the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 73-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason (0) celebrates after forcing a turnover during the second half of the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 73-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 23, 2017; Malibu, CA, USA; The Saint Mary’s Gaels huddle during the second half against the Pepperdine Waves at Firestone Fieldhouse. The Saint Mary’s Gaels won 78-49. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Malibu, CA, USA; The Saint Mary’s Gaels huddle during the second half against the Pepperdine Waves at Firestone Fieldhouse. The Saint Mary’s Gaels won 78-49. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Saint Mary's Gaels

Last week: 26-3, 15-2 WCC
Last rank: 21

Saint Mary’s continues to march on with a 27-3 record against a weak schedule, which could make it one of the more difficult teams to project in the NCAA Tournament.

The Gaels crushed Portland 81-58 in their WCC Tournament opener on Saturday evening in Las Vegas. If Saint Mary’s can handle BYU in the semifinals on late Monday night, it will get a third shot at beating Gonzaga on Tuesday in the title game.

Gonzaga and a decent UT-Arlington squad are the only teams to top the Gaels this season, but their only noteworthy wins are Nevada and at Dayton. Beating the Bulldogs directly ahead of the NCAA Tournament would change things, but Saint Mary’s is going to need to keep Jock Landale out of foul trouble and find a way to slow down Przemek Karnowski.

KenPom’s ratings indicate the Gaels’ might have a higher ceiling than their current ranking indicates, as they are the nation’s No. 14 overall team in adjusted efficiency. The Gaels have the ability to keep it close against anyone with some of the best shooting numbers in the nation and an ability to control the pace, although they enter the postseason without a top 50 win in over three months.

Should the Gaels top BYU, they will likely be in line for around a six seed even with a third loss to Gonzaga in the WCC Championship.