Saint Mary's players and coaches know they cannot afford any missteps as they work their way toward their Feb. 11 rematch with Gonzaga.
Saturday's road game against improving Santa Clara is a potential pitfall for the 21st-ranked Gaels, who hope to earn at least a share of the West Coast Conference regular-season title for a second straight season.
The Gaels (18-2, 8-1 WCC) cannot afford to look ahead. They cannot overwhelm opponents with athleticism, instead relying on precise execution at both ends of the court. If they lose their focus against any opponent it could result in a deadly second conference loss.