NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - TEXAS A&M VS SAINT MARY'S

March 18, 2026

Mikey Lewis

Joshua Dent

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Saint Mary's Gaels

Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: We're now joined by St. Mary's sophomore guard Mikey Lewis and sophomore guard Joshua Dent. We'll open it up for questions.

Q. This question is for either of you. St. Mary's has played a total of 32 games this season, and you guys have started all 32. Is there a specific aspect of your game that y'all have worked on throughout the season in preparation for the spotlight, the spotlight now being the NCAA Tournament?

JOSHUA DENT: Yeah, I think being able to start all 32 alongside Mikey has definitely helped us build a good bond in the back court. We know that the lights only get brighter from here on out, so we've been trying to use those games, those practices alongside each other, and I think we're prepared and ready to go.

MIKEY LEWIS: Yeah, I'd say that it just built a lot of camaraderie over the year. Obviously we spent last year together, too, but just having two years together back-to-back and then starting every game alongside each other, definitely knowing each other's games, it helps out a lot.

Q. For both Josh and Mikey, even when you guys were winning early in the season, taking care of the ball was an issue. Seemingly, maybe mid-December on, you guys really kind of toned that down, got it under control. One, how did you do it? Secondly, considering how fast that A&M plays, is it a renewed emphasis for tomorrow?

MIKEY LEWIS: Yeah, I'd say a lot of three-on-three full-court got that together pretty quick. It's been a point of emphasis every game since then. I mean, that probably put a little more emphasis on it, but they take it just as serious every single game.

JOSHUA DENT: Yeah, and I think part of those turnover problems we had early was just having a young group. Myself, I didn't play a lot last year. Mikey obviously did. Dillan being a freshman, him coming into the starting lineup. I think we just had a lot of young new pieces to try and gel together. I think we'll definitely have an emphasis on that going into the game tomorrow.

Q. Fifth consecutive team in the NCAA Tournament. One of the most efficient offenses and defenses out there right now. What has that preparation been like for this season and leading up to some of the biggest games of the year now in March Madness?

JOSHUA DENT: Yeah, I think offensively this year we've definitely tried to play a little faster. We're shooting the ball well, so hopefully that will carry us through and keep us into a good stead. Defensively it's been the same I think since Coach has been here. He's a stickler for the details. So if you are going to play in a Coach Bennett system, you're going to know all the details, both ends of the floor, particularly on defense.

MIKEY LEWIS: Yeah, I'd say just taking what we learned from our freshman year from the guys who were ahead of us, just as far as the principles of how we play here and then just got a lot -- I won't say a lot better, but we have a lot of shooting around us this year, which definitely helps us and makes it a little more easy to space the floor.

Q. Anybody you guys have played this season who A&M might remind you of?

JOSHUA DENT: I think the coaches have been saying Santa Clara, which helps us out a little bit. Some full-court pressure. They like to shoot threes, so keep them off the line will go a long way tomorrow.

Yeah, the SEC is a little different in terms of style of play compared to the WCC, but we've done our scout. We're ready. So we'll be ready for tomorrow.