College Basketball Report (St. Joseph's)

As a kid the St. Joseph's Hawks stole my heart, coach Dr. Jack Ramsey, with 
guards Billy Hoy and Jimmy Lynam carried out effective fundamental basketball on 
Hawk Hill and at the Palestra (University Pennsylvania). That brand of 
basketball, at times, has been outstanding on 54th Street, especially recently 
with stellar coach Phil Martelli (received another contract extension)leading 
the charge. But, something has changed recently and it's starting to be 
illustrated on the court. In fact, it will have a direct impact on the future of 
this small Jesuit school, considering the economy and the cost of education.

One of the key elements for students looking at schools in the Philadelphia area 
is social activities. At SJU, the basketball team brings the kids and fans 
together binding the "Hawk will never die" mindset. In fact, I guarantee the 
success of the basketball program has had a direct impact on the school's 
admissions office. This factor maybe be starting to wrinkle, somewhat, as the 
recruiting process has not been so favorable for Martelli (26-152-1) on the floor. 
As we all know, recruiting is the most important element in big time college 
athletics. Just check the rosters of the football programs down in Oklahoma, 
Texas, Alabama, Florida, LSU and Southern California as that group brings four 
and five star recruits into their schools consistently. 

The St. Joe Hawks this season were ticketed by a number of local and national 
experts as a possible NCAA tourney qualifier and top three A-10 unit. Overall, 
the Hawks lost two quality starters from last season, but brought in a good 
recruiting class (for a small school), including Bryant Irwin, a forward, Mr. 
Basketball from West Virginia. No doubt the Hawks have effective lead guards to 
run the offense, but in the Maui Invitational (this past week), it was evident, 
long range shooting will be an issue. The transfer of Philly product D. J. 
Rivera did not help. In the Jameer Nelson years the Hawks killed you from the 
long stripe and NBA guard Delionte West was a major attacker from that angle. SJU has no answers, much like 
the Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers, who lack the deep shooters to contend in games 
they start slowly, the Hawks will need to develop their offense for successes in 
conference.

If you're a Hawk fan, how can you complain? A winning SU mark of 22.4 games per 
annum over the last five campaigns is quite an accomplishment for such a small 
urban school, not in a BCS conference. Still when you have Mr. Basketball types 
from Connecticut and West Virginia, one might question the current record 2-3 
SU, and the direction Martelli is taking. But, before you bury this club, 
remember 2 of the last 3 opponents were highly rated Texas and Alabama. Oh, I 
should mention, for next season the Hawks have garnered three quality verbal 
commitments for the basketball squad. The "Hawk is not dead" just taking a 
little time to map out a new direction. 

In sports-betting, we know that patterns are a key element in any winning 
season, so one should be aware of programs that fly under the radar and look, not too friendly to the 
pocketbook in the early season. SJU should be a major force on Las Vegas 
Boulevard come A-10 play as some of the young depth will accure more playing 
time. SJU faces Creigthon on December 6th and 'Nova on December 11th, those 
encounters should tell us how much more about the Maui trip, and if it helped 
develop a new winning chemistry on Hawk Hill.