I didn't forget the Gallopping Gaels...

Me and a couple buddies were able to shake off the dust and finally get out to Moraga to see Saint Mary's take on hated rival Santa Clara.

It wasn't the best game - the Gaels were barely able to make 1/3 of their shots, some sloppy turnovers, and the Broncos were out for blood.

And then the guy that sells the tickets made everyone go home happy - except for the Broncos that is.

Patty Mills didn't make alot of shots, he had some bad turnovers, had some lay ups blocked, and didn't even seem to be a focal point of the offense towards the end of the game - until the last shot, they set the, got him open and he drained a three with less than three seconds left to give the Gaels a scrappy 62-63 win.

I think Mills showed he's as cool as the other side of the pillow, hitting nothing but net despite having gone 3/12 from beyond the arc before the game-winner.

This was a nice win to see, because in past years, we couldn't close games in which we didn't shoot lights out. This game, the defense kept it close, with Omar Sahman actually being a defensive difference maker and Saint Mary's showing the ability to get boards and some easy buckets from inside the paint. In past years, this would be have been a letdown loss that gave Gonzaga the window to walk away with the conference.

I told the boys Friday, and I will state it again - if SMC ends up in the tournament anywhere near the left coast, we HAVE to go - even if its just to see them dumped in the first round...

(On a side note, it was AWESOME to see people tailgating in the parking lot before a big WCC home game. Maybe the school will finally devote the money to making it a top flight program so we don't lose the nice roll we're on)