The St. Mary’s basketball program is one of the most successful NCAA Division I programs in the country. The team has won three NCAA Championships and has been to the NCAA tournament numerous times. Their success has made them one of the most recognizable college basketball programs in the nation. However, in recent years, the team has been struggling to stay competitive. In this article, we’ll take a look at where St. Mary’s basketball is now, what’s been holding them back, and what they can do to get back to the top.
History of St Mary’s Basketball
St. Mary’s basketball team was founded in 1921 by Fr. Joseph P. Kennedy. The team was originally an all-male program, but eventually began to include female players in the late 1950s. The team has experienced great success over the years, winning three NCAA Championships in 1989, 2001, and 2008. The team has also been to the NCAA tournament numerous times, including making it as far as the Final Four in 2008.
Recent Struggles
Since their 2008 Final Four run, the St. Mary’s basketball team has been struggling to stay competitive. The team has not been able to make the NCAA tournament since 2013 and has not made it past the first round since 2008. They have had a few close calls, but have failed to make it to the tournament in recent years.
Reasons for Struggles
There are several reasons why St. Mary’s basketball has been struggling in recent years. One of the biggest reasons is the lack of talent on the team. The team has not been able to recruit the same level of talent that they were able to get in the past. Another reason is the lack of a true leader on the court. The team has not had a player who can take over a game and lead the team to victory.
Challenges of Recruiting
Recruiting is one of the biggest challenges for St. Mary’s basketball. The school is relatively small, and the program is not as well-known as some of the other major programs in the country. This makes it difficult to attract top-tier talent. Additionally, the school is not located in a major metropolitan area, which can make it difficult to attract players from outside the area.
Lack of Leadership and Experience
Another factor in the team’s struggles is the lack of leadership and experience on the team. The team does not have a player who can take over a game and lead the team to victory. Additionally, the team does not have any players with significant NCAA tournament experience, which can be a major disadvantage in close games.
Facilities and Budget
The St. Mary’s basketball program also faces challenges with facilities and budget. The school does not have the resources to build a major basketball arena, and the team does not have the budget to travel to major tournaments. This can be a major disadvantage when it comes to recruiting, as players are often drawn to schools with better facilities and budgets.
What Needs to Change?
In order for St. Mary’s basketball to get back to its winning ways, there needs to be some changes made. The team needs to focus on recruiting more talented players, developing a true leader on the court, and building a better budget and facilities. Additionally, the team needs to focus on developing a winning culture and instilling a sense of pride in the program.
Recruiting More Talent
The St. Mary’s basketball program needs to focus on recruiting more talented players. The team needs to recruit players that can make an immediate impact and help the team win. The team needs to focus on recruiting players that can play multiple positions and be able to contribute in different ways.
Developing A Leader on the Court
The team also needs to focus on developing a true leader on the court. The team needs to find a player who can take over a game and lead the team to victory. This player needs to be someone who is not afraid to take big shots and make big plays when needed.
Building Better Facilities and Budget
The team also needs to focus on building better facilities and a better budget. The school needs to invest in the program and build a major basketball arena. Additionally, the team needs to have a budget that allows them to travel to major tournaments and compete for top players.
Creating a Winning Culture
Lastly, the team needs to focus on creating a winning culture and instilling a sense of pride in the program. The team needs to focus on developing a team-first mentality and teaching the players that winning is the ultimate goal. This can help the team to build a winning culture and help them to have more success in the future.
Conclusion
St. Mary’s basketball is one of the most successful NCAA Division I programs in the country. However, in recent years, the team has been struggling to stay competitive. In order for the team to get back to its winning ways, they need to focus on recruiting more talented players, developing a true leader on the court, building a better budget and facilities, and creating a winning culture. If the team is able to make these changes, they can become a powerhouse in college basketball once again.