The Happiest Place on Earth!

They say Disney World is the happiest place on earth… However, tonight it is Saint Joseph’s University. The Hawks pulled off their biggest win of the season, and their biggest win since beating VCU in the A-10 tourney. Tonight’s game was one of the most looked forward games of the year, and it did not disappoint. This win giant for the Hawks and it was not only a complete team effort but, an effort from all of Hagan Arena. The student section came out rocking and did not let up the entire game. There was passion and intensity by every fan in the arena.

Tonight there was no player happier on the court then DeAndre Bembry. Before the game was over, with seconds left, Bembry ran to the student section and celebrated. It was truly a magical and a memorable moment on Hawk Hill. From the very beginning it looked like the Hawks had control over the game, and they did not let up. St. Joe’s went on big run after big run to create large leads against Dayton. But, the strength and resilience of Dayton did not disappoint. The Flyers fought throughout the whole game, until the Hawks were able to pull away with minutes left. It was a scoring fest from the Hawks with five of their players in double digits. Though Bembry brought the strong scoring, leadership, and passion to this huge game; the biggest lift came in the form of Javon Baumann. Javon who had not played very much this season, came out for some giant minutes when Miles got into foul trouble. Many Hawk fans and reporters thought that the game may be over with the weaker scorer out on the court, but Javon made up for it big. Javon used his big body to control middle and not only out rebound but also out hustle Dayton’s big guys. St. Joe’s proved something tonight; they showed the world they could beat not only a ranked team, but also a great team.

After knocking off #15 Dayton tonight, the Hawks now look forward to Saturday at Davidson. This will be the next big test for the Hawks, a test they have to pass. The Hawks beat their biggest challenge tonight but they face a long road ahead of them. This team does not want to just compete; they want to win in March. Fun win tonight for the Hawks, and it is time to take this momentum into March! #THWND

-Brett

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Ivy League... Struggle...

Saint Joseph’s University came into today’s game against Princeton coming off a shaky win against Columbia. The plan coming into both games was to distribute the ball evenly throughout the court, keeping the pressure off DeAndre Bembry. However, this game plan did not work for the Hawks tonight. Princeton put early pressure on the Hawks, keeping them from ever getting their game started. From the start of this game it looked to be a lost cause for either team.

If you wanted to watch a bad all around basketball game then this was the perfect game. The Hawks put up their fewest points of the season. The offense never got anything going and was purely being run on DeAndre Bembry. Bembry single handedly won this game, scoring 27. There were nine guys who hit the floor tonight; only five were able to score. Throughout, this season Coach Martelli has preached the importance of distributing the ball to lead to scores. This did not happen for SJU, and that was due to the fact that they could not hit a shot. Once again the pressure was on DeAndre to score and get the rebounds, really showing what he was made of. However, Bembry did struggle from three again; a shot he has to improve on.

Tonight was truly a game to forget about. Coach Martelli said in his press conference that the team will watch film of what they are doing right. Two guys we are starting to see have their minutes dwindled are Javon and Oliva. In tonight’s game Oliva only hit the court for 21mins and Javon did not see action.  If the Hawks are going to compete and reach that goal of 10-2 before A-10, we will need guys to step up. This team has the talent, however they have yet to utilize it to their full potential. The Hawks next game is against Temple where they hope to kick-start the offense!

-Brett 

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Oh What A Night 3-0 and 1,000Pts!

St. Joe’s put on a show tonight destroying Buffalo 89-67, and it was a true team effort. Not only did Hawks fans get to see an unbelievable win, but they also got to see DeAndre Bembry reach 1,000pts! This team has really put in together to start the season and deserves the success that they have had. The Hawks start 3-0 for the first time since 2009, and with the way they are scoring it looks as though more success is to follow.

The team started in unbelievable fashion scoring 21pts and holding Buffalo to only 5 in the first 11minutes. St. Joe’s success continued at that pace scoring basket after basket, as well as playing strong defense. Miles helped carry the team throughout, scoring 24pts and could have had even more. Not only did Miles play well but we saw guys like Newkirk and Demery truly step up. If we see consistency like we did tonight there is no doubt in any fans mind that this team can continue to be a juggernaut in the A-10, and could even win it all.

Though the team’s defense was shaky to start, they really kept it together holding Buffalo to only 67pts. Coach Martelli is still surprised with how well his defense has played, as well as the ability this team has to score. Martelli’s main goal coming into this season was to have a team that can score. As all fans know this has been one of SJU’s biggest problems and it looks like it is finally solved. DeAndre Bembry is the main reason for this, and that is because of his distributing of the ball rather than scoring. With DeAndre in charge of this offense it will continue to blossom throughout the season.

Starting the season 3-0 makes the upcoming game against the University of Florida much easier. It makes the team very comfortable to go away and still have the ability to win. As Coach Martelli said during his press conference "I know nothing about them... But I'll be well informed by 7am tomorrow.” Coach Martelli believes the team will be 100% prepared for this upcoming game, and feels comfortable that the team will compete.    

-Brett 

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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

 

Jameer Back In Philly?

Everyone in Philadelphia remembers Jameer Nelson's years from high school to college. Nelson was "the little man from the little school beating everybody." Throughout his basketball career the former number 14 for Saint Joseph's accomplished the most in Philadelphia. He led SJU to the elite eight of the NCAA tournament during their undefeated season and was the Atlantic 10 conference Player of the Year in 2004. And he could continue that success if he comes back to Philadelphia and would have more than enough fans. He continues to give back to the community he grew up in. Recently, he had a gym dedicated to by the YMCA because of his dedication of giving back to his hometown.  

Jameer Nelson has recently been waived from the Orlando Magic. Where he had a long and outstanding career with the team that drafted him. It has been 10 years already since Nelson had his first game with his Magic squad, a team that looks very different today than they did back then. Jameer would’ve been set to rejoin the team this season being the oldest player on the team, no longer in the prime of his career. By waiving Nelson Orlando is saving money and able to get younger. And they also no longer have a reason to keep him on the roster after trading for PG Elfrid Payton. The former SJU Hawk and former All-Star still has a lot to prove and a lot to give to a NBA team. Nelson is a veteran in the league and is able to be a team leader; especially, with a young team in the locker room. That’s where many are now saying the 76ers may come into play. 

General Manager of the Magic had this to say about Jameer Nelson:

“Jameer (Nelson) is the ultimate professional, We truly thank him for his contributions to the organization, both on the court and in the community, during the last decade. He will always be a member of the Magic family.”

Jameer who is a Chester native has always dreamed of playing for his hometown squad. Nelson has been a very solid and productive player over his last 10 years with the Magic, making it to 1 All-Star game, as well as being named to the All-Rookie team in his first year. Nelson has always been a key part of the Magic team, he can score big numbers when needed, but he is always willing to be the guy to pass first in a situation. Nelson has never wanted the attention or to be the star of the team, and that type of attitude is one that the Sixers could use on their squad. Bringing a veteran in like Jameer could help the young guys like MCW, like Pierre Jackson. Jameer is guy that players listen too, and can help this Sixers team grow as a whole. Jameer would actually be a perfect fit for this team not only because he can help the younger players, but also due to the fact that he can still play with the best of them.Jameer Nelson is an option that would improve the 76ers. He would not only make the team better, but bring more people to the Wells Fargo Center. Michael Carter-Williams needs another PG to give him rest. Nelson could mentor Carter-Williams through any Sophomore slump he might have. Jameer can still lead a team to victory, and proved it several times last season. A guy like Jameer is someone we need on the Sixers and in Philadelphia.
 
Nelson has enough good play left that he could play for a playoff contending team. He will probably get a one-year contract with those types of teams. While, in Philadelphia it is more likely to get a muli-year deal. Philadelphia also has more money in their disposal than playoff contending teams. Is it really absurd to think that he could become a Sixer? No. It would be to think that the Sixers will have both Nelson and Ronald Roberts Jr. on the team. They would probably be in the same room though at some point if Nelson signs with the Sixers soon.  

The Magic has let go of one of the best point guards they’ve had in decades. Jameer needs a team and Philadelphia would be the perfect fit for him. Nelson wants and needs to come home to Philadelphia, as he already still lives here to this day. Bringing Jameer back to Philadelphia will not only help the Sixers tutor their young players, but he may bring some of that great Hawkhill magic back as well. Jameer has always been a class act of a person and a class act to this city, he is the missing piece for the years to come.The Magic even thanked him with his own billboard on his way out, that shows how kind of a person Jameer really was. 
-Brett

Hawks in NBA Summer League

                The NBA draft came and went without any of the St. Joe’s players being selected. However, summer league signings have come around and the three starting seniors from the A-10 tournament winning team have become undrafted free agents. Each of the three guys has something they need to prove in the summer league games if they want to make the NBA team or their respected D-league teams. The Summer Leagues are a pair of a week of games. European basketball is definitely more lucrative than the D-league. This is their opportunity to make it to the NBA and complete their dreams. The last Hawk to play in the NBA was Dwayne Jones in 2006. Whether it is for the team they are playing for in the Summer League or other; Langston, Roberts, and Halil hope to impress. Each one still has a great deal to overcome. After all, being selected to play in the NBA Summer Leagues is like being drafted in the seventh round of the NFL draft. This summer got much more interesting for some recent Saint Joe’s Alumni.

               

Langston Galloway – New York Knicks:

                Langston is a pure shooter, and this was seen during the NCAA tournament as well as every work out that he attended. However, the one thing with shooters is that the NBA is full of them. The NBA was guys with unbelievable mid-range games as well as amazing 3-point shooters. Langston will have to set himself apart during these summer league games. To make a team like the Knicks or their summer league team they Langston will have to up his defense. That is a skill set that he lacked during his college career. He will have to overcome his lack of height as well. Langston probably has the most to overcome during these summer league games. But if Galloway can succeed anywhere it would be with Phil Jackson’s offense because of revolves around a 3 point shooting. Galloway will be in Las Vegas between July 7th and 21st. Who wants to go on vacation to Vegas?

Halil Kanacevic – Denver Nuggets:

                Halil has the least amount to lose through this whole summer league process. Halil already has a deal overseas, so he already has a team in place for him. All Halil has to do to make the NBA scouts see he has the ability to score. Halil naturally has a strong and powerful NBA body. The type of body that Halil has is one NBA scouts dream of, and his passing ability makes it even better. Scouts know he can play a strong defense, and pass better than most point guards; he just has to prove he can score. Denver is looking for a guy like Halil to fit into their defensive program. Halil has nothing to lose in this summer league process.

Ronald Roberts – Philadelphia 76ers & Miami Heat

                Roberts amazed NBA scouts with his athleticism. He earned a spot on the Sixers summer league team from July 5-11 in Orlando and Heat from July 11-21 in Vegas. The NBA scouts are not able to measure his vertical because it is over 46 inches. I do not know why that is as high as their vertical can measure. Ron worked out for 15 NBA teams. At the very least he can join the Sixers Flight Squad with the trampolines. In all seriousness the 76ers need to get better at rebounding. That is not Roberts’ specialty but hopefully with some NBA coaching it can improve. He has a good chance of impressing both the Heat and Sixers’ coaches by doing better than each team’s big men.