Archive: March, 2012
Marc Narducci
We didn’t get to attend the Hawks’ 67-65 NIT los to Northern Iowa because of an assignment to cover Drexel at the same time.
However, Joe Juliano provided us with some comments from coach Phil Martelli, whose team was again hurt on the offensive glass.
Remember the 98-93 double overtime loss at St. Bonaventure when the Hawks when the winners had a 20-4 offensive rebounding edge.
Marc Narducci
Northern Iowa (19-13) at St. Joseph’s (20-13)
NIT First round game.
Wednesday, 7:15 p.m. at Hagan Arena.
Marc Narducci
St. Joseph’s has earned a No. 2 seed in its bracket and will host No. 7 Northern Iowa in a first round NIT game 7:15 on Wednesday at Hagan Arena.
The Hawks (20-13, 9-7 A-10) are making their first postseason appearance since 2008.
St. Joseph’s was knocked out of the quarterfinals of the Atlantic-10 Tournament by eventual champion St. Bonaventure, 71-68.
Video: Fourth-seeded St. Bonaventure defeated No. 5 St. Joe's, 71-68, in an Atlantic Ten tournament quarterfinal game at Boardwalk Hall on Friday. The Inquirer's Marc Narducci reports.
Marc Narducci
ATLANTIC CITY – Andrew Nicholson looked bigger than life and surely played that way.
The the 6-9, 250-pound Atlantic-10 Player of the Year used his speed and power to dominate St. Joseph's for the second time in a week-and-a-half and this time it meant the end of a quest for an NCAA berth.
By now everybody knows that Nicholson was the biggest reason why the Hawks were eliminated from the Atlantic-10 tournament. Nicholson had 25 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots as the Bonnies defeated the Hawks 71-68 at Boardwalk Hall. (He also had 32 points and 14 rebounds in a 98-93 double OT win on Feb. 29 over the Hawks).
Marc Narducci
St. Bonaventure (17-11) vs. St. Joseph’s (20-12)
Atlantic-10 Quarterfinal, 2:30 p.m. Friday at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
This season: St. Bonaventure beat the visiting Hawks, 98-93 in 2OT on Feb. 29.
Marc Narducci
When it was suggested to St. Joseph’s coach Phil Martelli that his team lacked energy at times in the Hawks’ 80-64 opening round Atlantic-10 win over visiting Charlotte, he couldn’t disagree more.
“I disagree,” Martelli said. “I think that was March basketball.”
What he meant is that when in the one-and-done tournament, those participating have a different mindset.
Marc Narducci
C.J. Aiken has a quiet manner to him until he gets on the court. No, the 6-foot-9 St. Joseph’s sophomore isn’t boisterous while playing, in fact he rarely says a word, but his actions speak volumes, especially on the defensive end.
Aiken has gained considerable notice for his ability to reject with regularity. He is the league leader in blocked shots, averaging 3.7 per game and the Atlantic-10 named him on Monday as its Defensive Player of the Year.
“I am happy to get this award,” Aiken said in a phone interview. “I have put in a lot of work.”
Marc Narducci
Atlantic-10 opening round game
No. 12 Charlotte (13-16, 5-11) at St. Joseph’s (19-12, 9-7)
Tuesday: 7 p.m. Hagan Arena
Marc Narducci
St. Joseph’s has earned the No. 5 seed in the Atlantic 10 tournament and the Hawks will open with a first round game at Hagan Arena Tuesday against No. 12 seeded Charlotte.
And if the Hawks happen to win, then they would face No. 4 St. Bonaventure in a 2:30 p.m. quarterfinal Friday at Atlantic City.
St. Joseph’s wouldn’t need any motivation for either team.
