St. Joseph's at Davidson preview

St. Joseph's at Davidson

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Saturday, 2 p.m. John M. Belk Arena, Davidson, N.C.

TV/Radio: NBC Sports Network/WFIL-AM (560).

Records: St. Joseph's, 22-4 overall, 11-2 Atlantic 10; Davidson, 15-9, 7-6.

On St. Joseph's: Wednesday's 79-70 win over No. 15 Dayton moved the Hawks into a three-way tie for first place with Dayton and VCU. With a 9-0 record on the road, the Hawks are the lone Division I team unbeaten on the road.

On Davidson: The Wildcats defeated visiting Richmond, 83-79, on Wednesday despite playing without three key players due to illness - Jack Gibbs, Jordan Barnham and Matt Williams. Gibbs, a junior point guard, leads the Atlantic 10 in scoring (24.9 ppg.) and is third in assists (4.9).

Insights

Even with a depleted lineup in the game against Richmond, Davidson showed its depth. Petyon Aldridge, a 6-foot-8 sophomore and 6-0 senior Brian Sullivan both played 40 minutes and combined for 45 points, with Sullivan also dishing six assists. . . . Davidson leads the A-10 in scoring, averaging 80 points per game, so St. Joseph's will work on slowing down the Wildcats' transition opportunities. . . . Davidson is second in the A-10 in turnover margin (plus-2.08), and the Wildcats must take care of the ball in order to beat a Hawks team that has won four in a row and 11 of 12. . . . St. Joseph's continues to received improved play at point guard. In the win over Dayton, starter Shavar Newkirk and backup Lamarr Kimble combined for 21 points, seven assists and one turnover. . . . Hawks forward DeAndre' Bembry is 13th in the A-10 in scoring (16.7 ppg.) but does as much for his team as any player in the conference. He is also averaging 8.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals. . . . Both teams have done a good job at the four line, with Davidson second in the A-10 (.757) while the Hawks are fourth (.721). . . . One reason for the Hawks' free-throw-shooting success is the play of leading scorer Isaiah Miles (17.3 ppg.). He leads the A-10 in free throw percentage (.888) and is a player the Hawks will want to have the ball late in any close game.

- Marc Narducci
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