So it Begins...

Purpose of Non-Conference Games

College basketball has started and our St. Joe’s Hawks will tip-off their season against Drexel Dragons tonight, Friday November 13th. Even though the Hawks did not beat the Dragons by much last year, some are saying that it is a preseason warm-up. However, SJU also lost to Fairleigh Dickinson last year to start their season. Of course a game that everyone has circled is Villanova, but don’t you dare call it the Holy War or else some cranky history professor will cry about it in the Philly Inquirer. The Hawks are catching a break this year since they are playing against Ivy League schools.

Hall of Fame Tip-Off

The Hawks will get a chance to showcase their athleticism against Niagara, Buffalo, Florida, and Old Dominion/Purdue. Florida and Old Dominion/Purdue will be played at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

Starting 5

To start the season, the starting five will be WG Bembry, PG Newkirk, WG Brown, F Miles, and F Olivia. In case you are not aware, Coach Martelli has never really stuck with the tradition starting 5 with a center, shooting guard, and small forward. He simply puts the best 5 players out on the court.

Phil has received quite a bit of criticism for not playing his freshmen enough during the season. This year with Pierfrancesco Olivia starting, there is speculation that it is only because of Papa Ndao’s lingering issues. No matter who is part of the starting five, it is the total minutes that will explain which player plays more of a pivotal role on the team. During the non-conference games, Martelli’s bench normally gets more action than during the regular season. However, hopefully this season proves that he can trust more of his bench throughout the entire season. 

Aaron Brown is a player that gives it his all on every play, which is what probably earned him the starting role. There are players like Javon Bauman, DeAndre Bembry, Isaiah Miles, and Papa Ndao that know have won the A-10 championship, and have seen what it takes to win. Going into the season St. Joe’s Hawks are predicted to end their season ranked 7th in the conference.

-Pants

Non-Conference 2015-16 SCHEDULE

Friday November 13 - DREXEL - 8:00 p.m.

Sunday November 15 - NIAGARA - 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday November 18 - BUFFALO - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday November 21 - vs. Florida - 2:30 p.m.

Sunday November 22 - vs. Old Dominion/Purdue - 12/5:30 p.m.

Tuesday December 1 - VILLANOVA - 7:00 p.m.

Friday December 4 - at Columbia - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday December 8 - PRINCETON - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday December 13 - at Temple - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday December 19 - ILLINOIS STATE - 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday December 22 - vs. Virginia Tech - 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday December 29 - MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE - 7:00 p.m.

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Just the Start of Conference Play

Saint Joseph’s Hawks start conference play as the defending champions against the George Washington Colonials. Tip-off will be at 2:00 on Saturday, January 3^rd in Hagan. Even though it does not appear that the Atlantic 10 will have a strong presence in the NCAA tournament, the Colonials are likely going to be representing the conference. If St. Joe’s will play a competitive game against George Washington, they will need to play up to their full potential. If they do not do not play competitively, it is only the first conference game. It will not determine the rest of the season.

The Hawk’s success this season will be determined by how quickly they develop their potential. Once their full potential is developed, they will be able to compete with the top teams in the conference. The quicker they reach their potential, the sooner they can play competitively against the top teams in the conference. Every game’s outcome could change based on when the game is played. Each team has the opportunity to develop and worsen throughout the season.

Phil Martelli is often criticized for not developing his young players. Heading into the 2014-2015 season, the Hawks biggest issue was their lack of experience and developed players. In order for a player to develop, they need to experience in-game action. DeAndre Bembry and Chris Wilson were the only returning players that averaged more than 10 minutes a game last year. The two experienced Hawks have been consistent this season. Any young team needs strong leadership. Leadership brings the team together.

Aaron Brown and Shavar Newkirk are the only two players who have not started and have played every game. They are also the only two players to average more than 20 minutes a game. Besides Brown and Newkirk, both Jai Williams and Obi Romeo should play every game as well. Williams and Romeo are the Hawks’ bigs coming off the bench. Williams and Romeo should each receive at least 5 minutes. Those are valuable minutes that will not only allow them to develop, but also give other players rest.

Due to Papa Ndao sitting out for the season for medical reasons, Isaiah Miles has received more minutes this season than originally anticipated. Miles has developed his rebounding and shooting ability. The team plays their best basketball when number 15 is grabbing offensive rebounds and making three pointers. If he plays at the level that he ended the non-conference games at, he will soon be playing just as many minutes as Bembry.

Brendan Casper started to receive valuable minutes after he scored 9 points and grabbed 9 rebounds against Villanova. If a player were to play well during a game that lost its competitiveness from it being a blowout, Villanova would be the team to do it against. It is also an easy way to not only become a fan favorite, but a player Martelli would be comfortable bringing off the bench. Ever since the Holy War, Casper has been receiving valuable minutes. Brendan is a sophomore without a scholarship, and Coach Martelli is allowing him to develop.

The first game of conference play does not represent how well the team will play at the end of the season. Each team has their own potential, and St. Joe’s may not reach theirs until the end of the season. If Martelli allows each player to develop, the Hawks can reach their full potential this year. St. Joe’s may lose poorly against the Colonials to start conference play, but at the end of the season the hawks may be able to compete against them. 

- Pants

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Phil's Contract

In the city of Philadelphia the careers of coaches do not last very long. But, one head coach has remained constant for 20 seasons, which is Saint Joseph’s University’s Phil Martelli. 20 seasons Phil has been at the helm of the Hawks basketball team and now once more there are rumors that he is looking for an extension. Since 1995, Martelli has been providing HawkHill with great players and tremendous opportunities, leading the team to an undefeated season in 2004 and to the A-10 Championship last season. Now the question is brought up whether or not Phil actually deserves an extension or should 2016 be his final season.

Martelli  is in his 20^th year and has always been a sign of stability on HawkHill. Now the question is, does he deserve an extension. Many of the coaches in the A-10 who have recently had success have received extensions. Martelli’s current contract is worth in the neighborhood of $900,000; which for a coach of 20 years may not seem that much. The Hawk’s head coach’s last extension came after the last time the Hawks were in the tournament in 2008, for 8 years. In Martelli’s 19 years he has taken SJU to the NCAA tourney six times and won the A-10 Championship twice. In 2004, the year every Hawk team wants to replicate, the team had its undefeated season in 2004 and Phil was the Coach of the Year.

Though after the 2004 season Martelli and the Hawks seemed to struggle only providing above average teams with average talent. But, it now looks like Martelli has the Hawks on the right track once more, winning the A-10 Championship in 2014. This coming year is Coach Martelli’s biggest task. Phil does not want to fall into the same pattern like he and the team did the season after going undefeated. They played average and were not true competition to the league. This upcoming season Phil has players such as Bembry, Demery, and Miles. The Hawks look like they have the players that will allow them to compete for years to come and not play average the season after having successful.

Martelli has provided the Hawks with leadership that is unmatched and should be taken into consideration when extension time comes around for Phil. Phil Martelli has had his ups and downs as coach of the Hawks producing a career record of 362-247. HawkHill will not be the same if Coach Martelli leaves, and he deserves to have an extension. This team is finally turning things around, they are finally are the right track. There is only one man for the job, Phil Martelli. The Hawks have a promising future with DeAndre Bembry, a player that could potentially be A-10 Player of the Year. Who is better to coach him through his entire college career than Phil?

Saint Joseph’s University and Phil Martelli are both dedicated to one another. There is no question that he deserves an extension after the tournament birth and the conference championship. In addition he has positive momentum for better things to come with each recruiting class over the last few years being better than the last. The question for Don Dijulia and whoever makes the decision, is not whether if he deserves an extension, but how long it is for. He has two seasons left now. One thing that Phil should consider himself is if he is willing to coach in his seventies. Coach Martelli should at least be given the consideration for a contract extension until 2018, thus giving him enough time to finish off his goals at SJU.

-Brett

The Future for Ron and Lang

Well, Hawk fans it’s time to come to realize that Langston and Ron did not make the cut to play in the NBA. It was a fun ride to watch for all of us from HawkHill to see these guys go after their dreams. SJU fans were pulling for these guys because we all know how much both of these players deserved this opportunity. Though we may not be seeing the former SJU Hawks in any professional uniforms in the upcoming weeks, there is always a chance, a hope that someone will realize and see the potential that both of these guys have. These dreams are not yet done; there is always a chance that we may see one of them in the NBA one day.

As many of us know Langston can shoot, not only can he shoot he can shoot better than a lot of guys in the NBA. We have heard from many coaches and reporters that many NBA scouts thought Lang was actually a better shooter and basketball player then a lot of players on rosters. One team in particular, the Indiana Pacers, said that Langston was a better shooter then 14 of their 15 players. Langston proved several times during both the Summer League and Training Camp, that he can play the game. Langston is the type of player that coaches love, and many think he can help an NBA team, the problem lies in his height. As we all know Langston is too small to play Shooting Guard in the NBA, but he is too much of a shooter to play the Point. Here lies the problem with Langston, where does he fit, what position would he play? In my opinion, it should not matter about his height, if the guy has the ability to play, then he deserves his opportunity.

Ron is a completely different story. Many people, reports, experts, and fans thought that Ronald Roberts Jr. was a no doubter. That he would 100% make the Sixers this season and that he may be playing close to HawkHill. As everyone knows Ron has unbelievable athleticism, and that is the main reason why almost every scout thought he was going to be a Sixer. The problem with Ron was that he got hurt, and you can’t do anything about that. Ron was not able to play up to his potential due to his injury, and when you are trying to make a team this is going to hurt your opportunity. Ron proved in several games whether it be his crazy dunk, or his ability to get rebounds, he can play in the NBA. Roberts has always been an effort player. During the Summer League and preseason, the former number 13 also got bigger to take on NBA talent.

It is said to see their journeys of trying to make their respective NBA teams end. But, that does not mean the NBA dream is over for either guy. Langston and Ron both know that they have the ability to play at the highest level. These two individuals just need to be given the opportunity to prove themselves worthy to both coaches and fans. I have a feeling that we will be seeing one of them in an NBA jersey soon enough. 

-Brett

Ronald Roberts could be Living a Dream!

Well SJU Hawk fans we told you it was going to happen, and now it looks like it is! Another Saint Joseph’s University Hawk will be playing NBA basketball. Ronald Roberts Jr. is heading to Sixers camp this fall with a 3 year contract, reports staff reporter Tom Moore of the Bucks County Courier Times. We are very excited to hear that the first year of his contract may be guaranteed, which in simple terms means he is going to have an opportunity to play in the NBA. So SJU Hawk fans go out and buy your Ronald Roberts Jr. jersey’s because he is staying in Philadelphia. 

Ron is amazingly athletic, which is why he was a piece that both the Sixers and the Miami Heat went after, inviting him to summer league. During summer league Ron truly showed his college dominance that many of us Hawk fans got to see first sight. Roberts who just turned 23 August 5, averaged 10ppg, 7 rebounds, and 1 block during summer league. Though these games were against D-Leaguers and potential NBA rookies; it truly showed the potential dominance of Ron. Roberts has been showing this ability over the last four years with the SJU Hawks, scoring 14.4ppg, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks; during his senior season with the Hawks. Roberts also showed a quality that many athletes do not have during his senior season and that was leadership. Roberts, with the help of other seniors Langston Galloway and Halil Kanacevic; was able to not only get his team to the NCAA March Madness Tournament for the first time since 2008, but also win the A-10 Championship. After SJU lost to UConn in the tournament, Roberts worked on the weakest parts of his game and became NBA ready. 

Ronald Roberts has had his ups and downs as a college player. But, an opportunity like this could not have happened to a nicer person or player. Those who didn’t get to interact with Ron wouldn’t know but everyone who has come in contact with this kid has said he’s kind and soft spoken. Ron took time out of his day after the loss to Creighton this season to talk to us, two SJU radio hosts, to tell us about their performance. This kid deserves everything that comes to him in the NBA, hard work truly pays off. Ron truly played like a star that had a chip on his shoulder during summer league. For a guy coming in as a undrafted free agent to a team that realistically speaking was expecting much, surprised us all. As SJU fans and supporters we aren’t too surprised to see the performances that he gave to the Sixers fans during summer league, but now at least he is getting the recognition he deserves. We as Hawks are proud to see another SJU Hawk getting an opportunity to play in the NBA, and this time with the home town Sixers. Hopefully, we will get an opportunity to see Ron play against Jameer come the fall. Hawks buy your Ronald Roberts Jr. jerseys now! THWND

 

Ronald Roberts Jr. is NBA ready

Since Ronald Roberts Jr. did not get drafted, he is forced to take the long road to the NBA. Every player in the summer leagues is trying to prove that they are worth having on the team and scrapping for that last spot. During Roberts Jr. senior year with the Hawks, his production was never consistent throughout his senior year. Even if NBA scouts did take notice of him, he did not keep their attention. Everybody, including NBA scouts wonder if he is more than just a freak athlete. It is already known that he plays hard, rebounds, and dunks. Not too belittle what he is great at, but that might not be enough.

Throughout the six games of the Orlando Summer League the NBA is seeing what Saint Joes fans have seen for past four years: one handed dunks, put back dunks, and a rebounding machine. During those games he consistently showed his high energy effort. It is also evident that he was a four year college due to his maturity and smartness. It did look as if he had it easy because he was playing alongside Nerlens Noel. But then he played center in place of him for two games and dominated. During the title game which Noel was on bench for, Roberts had a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds. Ronald Roberts Jr. helped the 76ers to win the Orlando Championship League with an average of 10 points and 6.8 rebounds.

It was strange watching him in a uniform other than a Hawks’. Because the Sixers want to develop young promising players, Roberts has a great chance of making the team. The athleticism that Philadelphia 76ers like is there for Ronald being 6’8” tall, 225 pounds, possessing a 7’1” wingspan. The 76ers are a fast pace team, which Roberts is able to run the court with ease. He also does not have a good outside shot which another standard of theirs. But one reason they may not be so high on him is that he is able to play right away because he is not injured nor has a contract overseas.

During the two summer leagues everybody is fighting for a roster spot on an NBA team. With that being said he played harder than every player on the court. His high energy effort and play made him a fan favorite quickly. He is this year’s Khaliff Wyatt. Let’s just hope the Sixers stick with him. Ronald Roberts Jr. could join the long list of 6’8” strong and physical effort players that play a key role of dominating skinny 6’10” kids around. He would give an NBA team toughness, energy, and athleticism off the bench at the 4. If he does not end up on an NBA team’s final roster he will definitely be able to make 6 figures overseas.

The former number 13 for SJU Hawks proved that he can play at the NBA level on a regular basis. After his showing during the Sixers’ championship run during the Orlando Summer League Roberts should be invited to 76ers training camp. There are other teams interested in Ronald if the Sixers are not as he is now suiting up for the Miami Heat in Las Vegas Summer League.

-Glen