[QUOTE=casstommy;193626]The Richmond loss last year was one of the low points of the season for me…I now hate the Spiders and that tall white guy who blocked everyones shots![/QUOTE]
Well, you won’t have to worry about Steenberge anymore since he was a senior last year. Still, that’s the way to get a rivalry going!
More WH previews next week…
GO NINERS! GO A-10!
WH was formerly a journalist who covered the A-10. I’m not sure how long ago. He now tapes games and watches them over the summer to sharpen his pre-season critiques. He has more team-by-team in depth knowledge than probably anyone else when it comes to the A-10. In fact some fans around the league print up his reviews before going to see unfamiliar league teams play their teams. Try it some time if that type of thing interests you. You’ll be astounded by the accuracy of his player evaluations. The content of his critiques is always spot on, but don’t take his predictions of league finishes any more seriously than you would most casual fans. With the exception of a few powerful teams each year, the league is usually rather unpredictable, IMO.
[B]A-10 PREVIEW – 10TH PLACELA SALLE EXPLORERS[/B]
Last season: 18-10 (10-6) 3rd PlaceINSTITUTION
La Salle University
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Founded: 1863
Enrollment: 6,200
Affiliation: Private Catholic co-educational universityARENA
Tom Gola Arena (seats: 4,000)
Average attendance: 2,670COACH
John Giannini, 3rd year (18th overall)
Record at LaSalle: 28-29 (321-178 overall; 64.3% winning percentage)ROSTER
*1 Paul Johnson So. F 6-6 195 Washington, DC
3 Sherman Diaz Jr. F/G 6-4 190 Trinidad/Life Center Academy (NJ)
5 Kimmani Barrett Fr. G/F 6-6 190 Paterson, NJ
10 Rodney Green Fr. G 6-5 190 Philadelphia, PA
*11 Darnell Harris Jr. WG 6-1 165 Baltimore, MD
12 Yves Mekongo Mbala Fr PF 6-7 210 Elizabeth, NJ/St. Patrick’s (NJ)
20 Sean Neal Sr. PG 6-2 185 Springfield, MA/Salisbury School (MA)
34 Ruben Guillandeaux Fr. PG 6-5 185 Brooklyn, NY/St. Patrick’s (NJ)
41 Brian Grimes Fr. F 6-7 220 Fort Washington, PA/Brewster Academy (NH)
42 Mike St. John Sr. PF 6-8 230 Northboro, MA/River School (MA)*Returning starters
OVERVIEW
The Explorers were one of the big surprises last season, achieving a winning record for the first time since joining the A-10 in 1996 and finishing third in the league standings. LaSalle flamed out quickly in the A-10 tournament and did not get an invitation to the NIT, but the season was still a resounding success.
Building on the success is the big challenge in 2006-07. LaSalle lost two-time A-10 Player of the Year Steve Smith to graduation as well as four-year starter Jermaine Thomas. That’s a lot of points, rebounds, experience and big plays in the clutch. Also, two reserves quit the team shortly before the season started to reduce the roster to just 10 scholarship players, including one seldom used senior.
On the bright side, LaSalle returns one of the league’s top shooting guards in junior Darnell Harris and coach John Giannini has brought in the program’s finest recruiting haul in years. Giannini has already proven himself an excellent strategist and motivator. His new task is to mold a quintet of athletic newcomers with a few key veterans without falling too far in the standings during the on-the-job training.
To get a headstart, Giannini took the team on a four-game preseason tour in Canada. The Young Explorers acquitted themselves well and now have a better idea of what to expect. Given the team’s limited depth, all five are likely to see plenty of action as freshmen.
DEPARTING PLAYERS
Steven Smith – Two-time conference player of the year will be remembered by Explorer fans for delivering the school’s first-ever winning season in the A-10 and, ideally, sparking the renaissance in LaSalle basketball. The 6-8 Smith was tied for the league lead in scoring (19.7 ppg) and finished third in rebounding (7.9 rpg) and field goal accuracy. He could score inside and out, handle the ball and set up teammates. Though Smith will be sorely missed, he helped lead the program out of the Dark Ages.
Jermaine Thomas – Four-year guard (12.3 ppg) also played a big role in LaSalle’s revival. Thomas stepped in to run the team (109 assists) when Tabby Cunningham faltered, providing steady leadership in his final two seasons. He took care of the ball, rebounded well for his size (4.3 rpg) and hit a number of key shots and free throws.
Richard “Tabby” Cunningham – Diminutive point guard saw the writing on the wall – or more likely the talent of the five freshmen – and quit after the trip to Canada. Cunningham played poorly as a sophomore (4.2 ppg, 27% 3PG) after a promising freshman campaign. He made too many unforced turnovers, was a defensive liability and didn’t shoot much. He lost playing time and it became clear he was not in LaSalle’s long-term plans. While his departure is a temporary setback on a team with so many young players, the Explorers will be better off in the long run.
Lewis Fadipe – The slender but athletic 6-10 center was transformed from a project into a solid contributor (4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 34 blocks) during Giannini’s first two seasons. Fadipe supplied needed size, rebounded and interior defense. While he never developed an offensive repertoire, he was somewhat more reliable on putbacks and lay-ins.
Marshall Taylor – Redshirt sophomore quit the team in October, saying his interest in basketball had waned. Taylor suffered a burst appendix last January just a few weeks after being named A-10 Rookie of the Week. When healthy, the 6-4 big guard was a solid all-round player who shot fairly well and was strong enough to get some buckets inside.
RETURNING PLAYERS
Darnell Harris – Building on a promising freshman campaign, the 6-1 guard (12.1 ppg, 39% 3PG, 78% FT) developed last year into one of the most dangerous shooters in the league. He is a bit undersized, but Harris is a fine athlete with one of the biggest vertical leaps in the A-10. He finds the open spaces on the floor, curls off picks and screens more effectively and is a better shooter off a sharp pass or hard dribble. Harris doesn’t need much time to shoot and he’ll often hit treys in bunches (5 three’s vs. Temple). If defenders play him tight, Harris has improved at using fakes to set up penetration and dishing to open teammates (40 assists). His strength is shooting and scoring, but he’s not a selfish player.
On a young Explorers team, Harris is expected to take a lead role in his third season. Opponents will be gunning for him now that Steve Smith is gone, so it could take Harris some time to adjust to the new-found attention. How well he meets the challenge is likely to determine how far the Explorers fall from their A-10 best of 18 wins last year.
Mike St. John – The muscular power forward is the team’s only experienced postman, but don’t expect him to score much on the low blocks. He doesn’t have the quickness or jumping ability. St. John gets most of his points (5.8 ppg, 47% FG) on tips and putbacks. Using his smarts and big frame to carve out space, he also positions himself well to receive good interior passes for easy scores. He’s even learned to drop an occasional 3-pointer (19 of 49, 39%) if left unguarded. As a senior, St. John will be counted on to provide leadership and handle the dirty work in the paint (6.1 rpg). He’s a classic lunch-pail kind of player who does all the little things.
Paul Johnson – The 6-6 forward, a starter in 23 games last season, is a great athlete who’s still developing his game (5.7 ppg, 46% FG). With a consistent outside shot, Johnson would have all-league potential. He handles the ball well and is tough to defend one-on-one. For now, Johnson is most effective in the open floor and he has the length and ranginess to be a major headache in a press. In halfcourt sets, he uses his quickness and leaping ability to rebound (3.3 rpg) and score inside. Johnson has also tried to extend his range to the 3-point line, but so far not with great success (26% 3PG).
In his second year, Johnson might have to handle more duties in the paint since the Explorers are small upfront. He’s still not strong enough to neutralize bigger opponents in the A-10, but his natural abilities give him some cushion.
Sherman Diaz – The 6-4 Diaz is a high-energy swingman who uses his quickness to score second-chance buckets and hound opponents on defense (10 blocks, 14 steals). The third-year player is not polished offensively (3.1 ppg, 39% FG) and he’ll have to battle the talented freshmen for playing time, but his experience will still come in handy.
Sean Neal – Senior point guard is a good shooter, but he lacks quickness at the A-10 level. Barring injuries or foul trouble, he’s strictly a deep reserve.
NEWCOMERS
Kimmani Barrett – The 6-6 Barrett, an athletic slasher, was the most impressive freshman during LaSalle’s four-game trip to Canada in September. He is a jack-of-all trades who does whatever his team needs: shoot, score, rebound, defend. His versatility should come in handy right from the get-go. “He was the most consistent of our freshman,” Giannini said. “Our other four guys played well, but they were all in foul trouble. Kimmani played well all four games and was consistently good.”
Rodney Green – The 6-5 Green is quick, athletic wing player with a nice handle and the ability to man the point. He’s at his best in the open floor: Green is a good rebounder for his size and often leads the break after a missed shot. In high school, Green also posted up smaller opponents and covered the other team’s top scorer. During the trip to Canada, he led the team in scoring (14.5 ppg) and is expected to see big minutes in his first year.
Brian Grimes – The former Philly hoops star, a frontcourt tweener, played with his back to the basket in high school and went the prep route to try to expand his game. He’s supposed to a good faceup shooter from 15 feet and can drop an occasional trey, but scoring won’t be his forte early in his career. What LaSalle really needs from the 6-7 220-pound Grimes is some rebounding and interior defense, both of which he can supply. He’s older and more physically developed than the other recruits. “Brian is a versatile front line player who is an outstanding rebounder,” Giannini says.
Ruben Guillandeaux – The 6-5 Guillandeaux, a rangy combo guard, has a decent outside stroke and a good handle. He’s also said to be a creative passer and wants to play the point. He’ll get the opportunity with the departure of Tabby Cunningham. “Ruben is a guard with tremendous size and a lot talent,” Giannini says. “He is an excellent ball handler and passer, and a solid shooter.”
Yves Mekongo Mbala – Well-built 6-7 combo forward is an excellent athlete with some decent post moves and even the ability to knock down 3-pointers. Mbala runs the floor well and hits the boards, but he needs to get even stronger to play inside at the A-10 level. “He will bring immediate help defensively and with rebounding. He is very athletic and can defend nearly every position on the court,” Giannini says. “Offensively, he is an opportunistic scorer who scores in a wide variety of ways.”
SCOUTING REPORT
The Explorers have a few key veterans in blue-collar power forward Mike St. John and sharpshooting junior Darnell Harris, but the latest LaSalle edition will depend on its talented youngsters to keep the program’s momentum building.
Expect the unexpected from this team. LaSalle lacks a “true” point guard with the departure of Cunningham and a “true” bigman is nowhere to be found. Instead, Giannini has assembled a group of athletic youngsters from 6-4 to 6-7, reminiscent of a Final 4 Illinois team on which he was an assistant coach. In time, the newest Explorers will develop their own styles of play, but expect LaSalle to run more and turn up the defensive pressure. Those young legs will be put to good use by Giannini.
“We’re trying to be a little bit unique,” Giannini told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “You’ll see a lot of different people handle the ball for us. We’re not a great shooting team, but we do have guys with athleticism and quickness who can handle the ball pretty well. We can be a pretty good running team because we have pretty good foot speed.”
When the game slows down, LaSalle will set lots of picks and screens to free up Harris for treys and open some lanes for the younger players to exploit. Dribble penetration is likely to play a prominent role in the Explorer offense.
It’s only natural to expect the youngsters to turn the ball over more than usual. Poor shot selection is likely to be another bugaboo. The smallish Explorers could also get pounded inside or on the boards if they fail to use their quickness to offset the strength of bigger opponents. Giannini will certainly earn his pay. Yet the Explorers have enough talent and athleticism to give opponents fits and they won’t lose for lack of effort.
PREDICTION
A young and undersized LaSalle squad could surprise if Harris gets help from a few teammates on the perimeter and the Explorers uses their speed and quickness to full advantage at both ends of the court. They’ll have to hustle, scrap and beat foes to the spots for any hope of success.
The rapid emergence of freshmen Green, Barrett and Guillandeaux is essential, but it’s hard to expect so much from so many freshmen so quickly. The 10-man roster, meanwhile, does not give LaSalle any cushion in case of one or two key injuries. The lack of size doesn’t help, either.
Those weaknesses are likely to prove fatal to the chances of a second straight winning season. With Giannini at the helm, though, that would be a minor blip. This is a program on the rise. LaSalle is reloading, not rebuilding.
13-16 (6-10), 10th place
ADDENDUM
Additional Comments:
I tinkered with placing LaSalle one or two spots higher – and one spot lower – but all the youth and the loss of Cunningham and Taylor was a factor in placing the Explorers at 12. Granted, neither player necessarily was going to play a lot, but they were both capable of performing adequately at the A-10 level and gave the Explorers necessary depth.
Watching UMass struggle last year after the program lost two experienced guards and sustained a few injuries certainly influenced my thinking. Travis Ford wanted to run and pressure the ball, but the Minutemen could do neither because of limited depth and inexperience at the point. Similar problems could bedevil LaSalle. This LaSalle team might have more raw talent and athleticism than last year’s UMass team, but it doesn’t have the size and experience that helped the Minutemen go 8-8 in league play.
Yet I do think very, very highly of coach John Giannini and I think he could get this team to a more competitive level than I seem to indicate by year end. At least to start the season, though, I would try to control tempo, defend Harris tightly at the 3-point line and see if the young Explorers can beat my team from outside.
On noncom play, I continue my trend of going conservative, predicting the Explorers to go 7-6. With such a young team, more losses are possible, though I if I had to bet, an extra win (or two) is more likely. If I were predicting with a more liberal bent, I would also give LaSalle wins over St. Francis, Coppin State (but loss to Iowa), Central Conn State and Penn.
LaSalle has lots of home games and only 2 or 3 true road games. Wise skedding for such a young team. The toughest teams LaSalle would play look to be Iowa (if they actually make it past an experienced Coppin State team, which I did not predict) and Villanova at home.
NONCON SKED
W – MT. SAINT MARY’S
W - HOWARD
L – At Saint Francis
L – Coppin State (Hawkeye Challenge in Iowa)
W – Texas Pan American (Hawkeye Challenge)
W – MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY
L – At Central Connecticut State
W – MORGAN STATE
L – VILLANOVA
L – HOLY CROSS
W – DELAWARE
W – NIAGARA
L – PENN
Looks good. He impresses me everytime I read another one of these. None of the LaSalle guys are givin WH loving on this though. I don’t know. We’ll have to wait another what, 8 or 9 analysis’ to see ours? :biggrin:
Are we the largest school in the A10? Looks like we are by far. GW has less than 10k and Xavier does too, Id think those would be the biggest schools.
WHAT ARE WE DOIN?
Temple has 34,000 students, while UMass has 25,000. The UNCC website lists 21,500 for Fall, 2006 enrollment.
A-10 by affiliation:
Public - UNC Charlotte, UMass, Rhode Island, Temple
Private - GW, Richmond
Catholic - Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham, La Salle, St. Bonaventure, St. Joe’s, Saint Louis, Xavier
[b]A-10 PREVIEW – 9TH PLACETEMPLE OWLS[/b]
Last year: 17-15 (8-8), 7th Place (tie); NIT, 1st roundINSTITUTION
Temple University
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Founded: 1884
Enrollment: 34,000
Affiliation: Public, state-related universityARENA
Liacouras Center
Seats: 10,206
Average Attendance: 4,470COACH
Fran Dunphy, 1st year (18th overall)
Record at Temple: 0-0 (310-163 overall; 65.5% winning percentage)ROSTER
2 Ryan Brooks Fr. G 6-4 200 Lower Merion, PA
*3 Dustin Salisbery Sr. WG 6-5 205 Lancaster, PA
4 Dion Dacons Sr. F 6-6 210 Statesville, NC/Oak Hill Academy (VA)
10 Luis Guzman Fr. PG 6-3 180 Paramus, NJ
11 Chris Clark Jr. PG 5-8 165 Narberth, PA
14 Sergio Olmos So. F/C 6-10 220 Spain
15 Semaj Inge So. G 6-4 180 Camden, NJ
22 Dionte Christmas So… G/F 6-5 190 Philadelphia/Lutheran Christian
32 DaShone Kirkendoll Jr. WG 6-5 200 Dayton, OH
44 Anthony Ivory So. C 6-10 300 Mt. Rainer, MD/Marriott Charter SchoolINELIGIBLE FIRST SEMESTER
13 Mark Tyndale Jr. WG 6-5 210 Philadelphia (starter)
50 Wayne Marshall Jr. C 6-11 285 Philadelphia (starter)*Returning starters
OVERVIEW
The Temple Owls lost a current Hall of Fame coach but they may have gotten a future one. Fran Dunphy, who takes over for John Chaney, amassed a 310-163 record at Penn, won nine Ivy League championships and even got the Quakers ranked in the top 25 in 1994. The A-10 is a big step up from the Ivy League, but Penn plays Villanova, La Salle, Temple and Saint Joseph’s every year. Dunphy has more than held his own directing teams usually less talented than the ones coached by his city rivals. The big question is whether Dunphy can recruit scholarship players. He hasn’t done that since 1988 when he was an assistant at La Salle, his alma mater.
For now, Dunphy has more immediate concerns. The Owls lost star guard Mardy Collins to the NBA and all-conference forward Antywane Robinson to graduation. What’s worse, swingman Mark Tyndale and center Wayne Marshall were declared academically ineligible for the first semester. Tyndale is the best player on the team and Marshall, one of the A-10’s better bigmen, is Temple’s only serious inside threat. The sole returnee who has played extensive minutes – Chaney never used lots of players – is small forward Dustin Salisbery.
The remaining Owls players, for their part, will also have to get used to a very different approach to winning basketball games. Chaney’s famous matchup zone is a thing of the past. So too is the slow, turnover-phobic style of play he favored. Dunphy likes man-to-man defense and his teams are more aggressive on offense. They pass frequently, set plenty of screens and don’t always wait until the shot clock almost expires before shooting the ball.
That musky, old broom closet? It’s getting cleaned out. But Dunphy’s hands are going to get dirty in the process.
DEPARTED PLAYERS
Mardy Collins – The dynamic 6-6 forward-turned-point-guard wasn’t as dominating as a senior as he was as a junior, but Collins still put up good-enough numbers (16.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 89 steals) to become a first-round NBA pick. While his scoring and rebounding declined slightly, Collins raised his assists, cut down on turnovers and shot a somewhat higher percentage. Unfortunately for Collins, he becomes a member of the only four-year class under Hall-of-Fame coach John Chaney to miss out entirely on the NCAA tournament. In the twilight of his career, the old Owl simply didn’t coach well enough or surround Collins with enough talent.
Antywane Robinson – Slender 6-8 forward (12.7 ppg), a Second Team A-10 selection, preferred to play on the perimeter, where he developed into the team’s best 3-point shooter (37%). He showed big improvement as a defender in the famed Temple matchup zone, using his long arms and leaping ability to pick off errant passes and lead the team in blocks.
Nehemiah Ingram – Despite spending six years at Temple, the burly power forward will be forever known as the Goon in the Goongate incident involving Saint Joseph’s. Beyond issuing tough fouls, Ingram leaned on opponents in the paint and grabbed some boards. He never scored much or even tried to. It was just as well given his limited talent.
RETURNING PLAYERS
Dustin Salisbery – The streaky 6-5 swingman was the main barometer of Temple’s success last season. The Owls won when he scored and lost when he didn’t. In wins over Miami (Fla.), Alabama, South Carolina and Maryland, he scored 16, 20, 13 and 23 points. In losses to UCLA, Rutgers, Auburn, Villanova and Duke, he scored 0, 2, 5, 4 and 8 points. Temple won 13 of the 14 games in which Salisbery scored in double figures. The Owls lost 13 of the 14 games in which he was held to under 10 points.
With a new coach and a depleted roster, Salisbery (9.7 ppg, 33% 3PG, 41 steals) has to perform more consistently if Temple is to remain in the top half of the A-10. When he does, the senior has all-conference talent. He’s got a quick first step, nice handle and solid passing ability. When he’s hitting his 3-point shots, he’s difficult to defend. If he isn’t shooting well, Salisbery has to do a better job to get teammates involved, hit the boards (4.3 rpg) and get some tough buckets inside. John Chaney gave Salisbery too long of a leash. Dunphy will try to harness Salisbery’s talent so he’s more productive in all facets of the game.
Dionte Christmas – Former Philly prep star was a big scorer in the high school ranks, but he shot poorly as a freshman (3.5 ppg, 28% FG, 25% 3PG, 59% FT). Whether it was a case of first-years jitters is hard to say. Christmas has a nice-looking stroke and the potential to shoot at a much higher clip. Like his older teammate Salisbery, the 6-5 sophomore is an excellent athlete with the ability to hurt opponents in several ways. Long and rangy, he’s quick to the offensive glass and has shown disruptive defensive ability (16 steals). The Owls desperately need better play from the talented sophomore to make up for the loss of Collins and the absence of Tyndale.
Dion Dacons – Senior power forward, a reserve his entire career, may have to anchor the Temple interior because of the ineligibility of starting center Wayne Marshall. While not very tall at 6-6, Dacons is a strong and rugged player capable of guarding most bigmen in the A-10, but he’ll need lots of help. At the other end, Dacons is an accurate shooter (61.7% FG for his career) who scores mostly on putbacks and nice feeds. He’s not a serious low-post presence, however, and can’t be expected to contribute much on offense (1.3 ppg). Ideally Marshall would regain eligibility in the second semester and Dacons could go back to a supporting role.
Chris Clark – Smallish point guard, a rarity in the Chaney era, played sparingly as a sophomore but performed well when he was on the court. Clark took care of the ball (3 turnovers), hit a few shots (1.2 ppg, 33% 3PG) and occasionally set up his teammates (10 assists). Clark will get a chance for more minutes under the new coaching regime, but his skills and athleticism do not compensate for his 5-8 frame. He’s more of a change-of-pace reserve guard who can speed up tempo and apply on-the-ball pressure. If he knocks down a few open jumpers – Clark was a good shooter in high school – that would be the icing on the cake.
Semaj Inge – The second-year combo guard from New Jersey barely got off the bench as a freshman, but he was well regarded recruit and will get a chance to play big minutes under Dunphy. Inge, a fine athlete with good size and jumping ability, was considered a solid shooter and passer in high school. He’ll to be in the mix for minutes at the point along with junior Chris Clark and freshman Luis Guzman.
DaShone Kirkendoll – The 6-5 swingman from Dayton, an unheralded recruit brought to Temple for his shooting, hasn’t had a whole lot of success. Kirkendoll (0.8 ppg) connected on just 25% of his 3-pointers in two years and saw his playing time shrink as a sophomore. Since he’s played so little, it’s hard to know if he’s an A-10 caliber player. He’s got good size and is an above-average athlete. Kirkendoll also has a nice-looking stroke, though he’s not shown any special skill beyond shooting. If Kirkendoll is more than a one-dimensional player, he’ll get a chance to prove it as a junior. The Owls have a short roster and Dunphy will start everyone on a clean slate.
Anthony Ivory – Massive 300-pound center only played 41 minutes as a freshman and it’s unclear if his conditioning will allow him to play more as a sophomore. Dunphy’s Penn teams usually were the most athletic in the Ivy League and he rarely recruited big-bodied centers with traditional low-post skills. He has generally preferred quick and mobile frontcourt players with multiple skills. That’s not to say Ivory doesn’t have talent. His footwork is pretty good and he has soft hands. As a prepster he often dominated in the paint and at one time was recruited by a handful of major programs. Yet it seems improbable he will get a lot of time at Temple unless he gets in much better shape.
Sergio Olmos – The 7-foot center from Spain is not a great athlete, but he’s far more mobile than Anthony Ivory. Olmos is fundamentally sound as a low-post defender (5 blocks in limited duty) and has shown some touch around the basket even if he didn’t hit many shots (5-16). It’s hard to see Olmos getting a lot of playing time without big improvement, but he gives Dunphy some size and depth on the bench.
Mark Tyndale – The loss of Tyndale in the first semester to academics is a big blow. He’s the team’s best scorer (10.9 ppg) and most experienced ball-handler (87 assists). Just as important, Tyndale plays hard all the time and has the natural leadership qualities the Owls could use as they transition from the John Chaney regime to the Fran Dunphy era.
Temple would get a huge boost if Tyndale regains eligibility in December, as now seems likely. He’s a terrific rebounder for his size (5.1 rpg) and a tough defender to boot (73 steals, highest among returning A-10 players). Though a mediocre outside shooter (32% 3PG), Tyndale can score in bunches. He likes to attack along the baseline or slash through the lane, using his strong frame to ward off defenders. He also likes to get his hands dirty inside. Tyndale can be reckless at times and his shot selection is suspect, but that’s partly a byproduct of Chaney’s method of coaching. Dunphy has a different list of do’s and don’ts and Tyndale would have to adjust accordingly. The guess here is that he would be a better player for it.
Wayne Marshall – Temple’s big center got even bigger last year after a mysterious illness caused him to miss all of practice and the first semester of play. His weight ballooned and his conditioning was a problem the rest of the season. Even though he was overweight, Marshall still proved useful on a smallish Owls squad. He has soft hands, nice scoring moves (7.2 ppg, 71% FT) and is hard to budge down low. He also uses his big body fairly well on defense to make up for lack of quickness.
While an overweight Marshall can still help Temple, the 6-11 center would be a much better player if he were in tip-top shape. Marshall is quite skilled in the post, has a knack for offensive rebounds – accounting for 62 of his 103 boards – and could be an intimidating defender if he reacted more quickly. As of late October, however, his academic status still appeared doubtful.
NEWCOMERS
Luis Guzman – Tough 6-2 guard was the only one of John Chaney’s last three recruits to stick to his commitment after Dunphy took over. Rated as a top 200 player nationally, Guzman is a decent shooter who likes to race up the floor and drive to the basket. While he can play both backcourt positions, he usually played point in high school and is a good ball-handler. He’ll get every opportunity to start on Temple squad without an established floor leader.
Ryan Brooks – Athletic 6-4 combo guard, who attended the same high school as Koby Bryant, helped lead his team to the AAAA state championship on the strength of 42% shooting behind the arc. He is Dunphy’s first recruit at Temple. Before the Owls’ offered, Brooks almost went to prep school to generate more interest. High school teammate Garrett Williamson signed with Saint Joseph’s. Both recruits drew significant attention for their performances against some of the top players in Pennsylvania after their run to the state championship.
SCOUTING REPORT
If Tyndale and Marshall regain eligibility, Dunphy’s first year on the job would be a lot easier. Tyndale can score and help in a variety of other ways. Marshall is a strong inside presence. Even if they come back, it will take time for the coach to fit them in. Missing the first semester hurts, although Tyndale (but not Marshall) was practicing with the team in the fall.
Minus Tyndale and Marshall, Temple is in danger of a major slide. Dunphy can rely on Salisbery, the streaky senior forward, and promising sophomore Dionte Christmas should play a bigger role. Every other position is up for grabs. Touted freshman guard Luis Guzman or sophomore Semaj Inge might be able to step in at point, but the rest of the roster consists of role players and developing bigmen, none of whom have played extended minutes. Shooting, rebounding and ball-handling are all major concerns.
Don’t count Dunphy out, however. He’s always found a way to maximize the talent of his players and the “sum” of his teams is usually better than the parts. What’s more, the nonconference schedule is not as tough as in recent years and many A-10 teams have gotten younger.
Temple is not bereft of talent, either. Salisbery can shoot the 3-ball while Christmas, Kirkendoll Inge, Guzman and Brooks were all considered good shooters in high school. Dunphy’s motion-style offense will create far better shots for them than Chaney’s prehistoric approach. And aside from Guzman, a fine athlete in his own right, all the others are long and rangy and could be tough defenders in a well-taught man-to-man defense.
The Owls, with Tyndale leading the charge, might have just enough experience, shooting and defense to keep Temple around the .500 mark. If Marshall comes back and provides a legitimate post presence, the Owls would still possess a bite sharp enough to inflict losses on superior opponents.
PREDICTION
Temple, once the undisputed flagship of the Atlantic 10, is sailing in uncharted waters. The school has to replace a city icon whose coaching career in Philadelphia seemingly predates the first crack in the Liberty Bell. And the school hasn’t gone to the NCAA tournament in five years after an 18-year stretch in which the school earned 17 bids. Instead, the disappointed Owls have had to settle for the NIT.
In 2006-07, reaching the NIT might be considered a feat worthy of celebration. Temple has too many question marks to believe otherwise, including a big hole in the post if Marshall does not suit up.
It’s also hard to believe, though, that the Owls will become anyone’s cannon fodder, especially with Dunphy in charge. The Temple program is a proud one with a great winning tradition. The players who remain have been toughened by a hard man as coach and by one the hardest schedules in the nation. They won’t allow the Owls to slip so far so fast. Even if the Temple “ship” has taken on water, it’s not ready to sink in Dunphy’s first year as skipper.
Record: 13-16 (7-9), 9th place
ADDENDUM
Additional Comments:
As I have already written here, I think the Owls have enough talent and experience in a young league to hover near the .500 mark. It’s rare for such good programs to totally fall off the map so quickly unless there’s a big outflow of players. If a lesser coach were replacing Chaney, I might be more pessimistic. Dunphy is not a lesser coach.
I am not expecting miracles, but I think Temple actually has enough shooters to make Dunphy’s offense work pretty well in his first year. Plus the players will actually get some coaching on offense and have the shackles removed. It will be interesting to see how they respond with more offensive freedom absent the threat of being pulled, especially the non-stars (Chaney always seemed harder on them when it came to shot selection).
What’s more, the Owls do have athleticism and length – if not height and bulk – that could come in very handy on defense. I have to expect that Temple could become a very good man-to-man defending team in short order. I fully expect the Owls to scrap for everything and make opponents work even harder than they did last year for a victory.
As with other A-10 teams, however, I went somewhat conservative in picking the sked. I ultimately put Temple at 6-7 in noncon play. Tyndale is out at least until Towson, so the first six games are difficult to figure. It’s even conceivable but highly unlikely that Temple could lose its first nine noncon games.
L – At Kent State
W – BUFFALO
L – RUTGERS
L – LONG BEACH STATE
W – WESTERN MICHIGAN
L – Cincinnati (Atlantic City)
W – At Towson State
L – At Ball State
W – DREXEL
W – LAFAYETTE
L – At Villanova
L - At Duke
W – Penn (Palestra)
So this is looking like a rebuilding year for much of the A-10… Should be interesting to see where all of the teams stand come December into January.
[QUOTE=UDfan;193807]WH was formerly a journalist who covered the A-10. I’m not sure how long ago. [/QUOTE]
I didn’t know he used to be a journalist but by the way he writes it makes sense.
[QUOTE] In fact some fans around the league print up his reviews before going to see unfamiliar league teams play their teams. Try it some time if that type of thing interests you. You’ll be astounded by the accuracy of his player evaluations. [/QUOTE]
I’m going to have to try that this year.
I couldn’t agree more about his player evaluations, with the exception of Baldwin last year (who was a suprise to us too) he was spot-on with all of our guys.
[quote=forDniner;194334]
WH was formerly a journalist who covered the A-10. I’m not sure how long ago. [\QUOTE]
I didn’t know he used to be a journalist but by the way he writes it makes sense.I’m going to have to try that this year.
I couldn’t agree more about his player evaluations, with the exception of Baldwin last year (who was a suprise to us too) he was spot-on with all of our guys.
What did he say about Baldwin?
[QUOTE=survivor45;194342]
What did he say about Baldwin?[/QUOTE]
I think he picked him 2nd team A10. I don’t remember what he said exactly but he did expect big things from him, but we all did. If I can remember tonight I’ll check the A10 boards tonight and see if I can find it.
Was anyone else shocked by this???
[QUOTE]Enrollment: 34,000
Affiliation: Public, state-related university
ARENA
Liacouras Center
Seats: 10,206
Average Attendance: 4,470[/QUOTE]
I thought they were a small private school??? That is pathetic attendence for a school that is suppose to have a rich basketball tradition. They make us look very good with our attendence.
Was anyone else shocked by this???I thought they were a small private school??? That is pathetic attendence for a school that is suppose to have a rich basketball tradition. They make us look very good with our attendence.
I think Temple has a tough time competing with Penn, Villanofun, and other schools in Philly. It’s also not the best part of town to be in after dark either.
does the a-10 have fantasy tradition?
does the a-10 have fantasy tradition?
Temple does. They had a good football program in the movie “Unbreakable”
[quote=forDniner;194334]
What did he say about Baldwin?[/QUOTE]
I found it…
Mitchell Baldwin – Forgive Charlotte fans for thinking there was a new Mitchell Baldwin (7.5 ppg, 47% FG) after he scored a career high 25 points, including a pair of treys, in last year’s season-opening win over Long Beach State. Baldwin, who suffered a broken hand before the season started and a separated shoulder midway through the year, never came close to that high-water mark again. Instead, the 49ers point guard ran the break, took care of the ball (just 45 turnovers) passed to the scorers (Withers, Basden, Plavich) in the right position and applied steady on-the-ball pressure.In a nutshell, that’s Baldwin’s game. Though blessed with great speed and quickness – Lutz calls him the fastest dribbler on the planet – he doesn’t penetrate very much on offense. Since Baldwin is a mediocre shooter (25% 3PG in his career), defenders lay off him and dare him to fire away. So he directs the offense and keeps it moving until good shots open up. He’s more of a caretaker point guard (107 assists, 3.8 apg) than a creative one.
That probably won’t change much in his senior season – unless Baldwin suddenly develops a consistent jumper. He’s most effective as a pushman in the open floor or as a harassing defender in a press. When the game bogs down in the halfcourt, he’ll get his teammates the ball in the spots they like and he values each possession. Just don’t tell Temple’s John Chaney about him. The Owls coach, who detests turnovers even more than he detests John Calipari, would probably try to kidnap him for his own team.
[QUOTE=run49er;194505]I found it…[/QUOTE]
I’ve been trying to find WH’s preseason picks from last year on that board and can’t get it to go back that far. Is there something else I need to do run?
ChevEE, I can’t get the link’s from last year’s previews to work anymore. My recollection is that there were some glitches on the A-10 board not too long ago and some stuff may have been lost.
[b]A-10 PREVIEW – 8TH PLACESAINT JOSEPH’S HAWKS[/b]
Last year: 19-13 (9-7), 5th Place (tie); NIT, 3rd RoundINSTITUTION
Saint Joseph’s University
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Founded: 1851
Enrollment: 7,700
Affiliation: Private Catholic co-educational universityARENA
Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse
Seats: 3,200
Average attendance: 4,423 (includes games at Palestra - 8,700 seats)COACH
Phil Martelli, 12th year (12th overall)
Record at Saint Joseph’s: 222-125 (222-125 overall)ROSTER
3 Jawan Carter Fr. PG 6-0 172 Chester, PA/Tatnall School (DE)
10 D.J. Rivera Fr. G 6-2 192 Philadelphia, PA
11 Artur Surov Sr. C 7-1 245 Finland/Memorial Day (GA)
12 Pat Calathes Jr. G/F 6-10 205 Casselberry, FL
13 Darrin Govens Fr. G 6-1 170 Chester, PA
22 Edwin Lashley So. WG 6-4 190 Salisbury, MD/St. Thomas More (CT)
23 Garrett Williamson Fr. G/F 6-4 173 Merion, PA
32 Alvin Mofunanya So. PF 6-8 220 Englewood, NJ
34 Ahmad Nivins So. F/C 6-9 220 Jersey City, NJ
40 Rockwell Moody Fr. PF 6-9 221 Washington, DC/Bishop O’Connell (VA)
41 Arvydas Lidzius Jr. F 6-9 210 Lithuania/Montrose Christian (MD)
*52 Rob Ferguson Jr. F 6-8 225 Ft. Myers, FL*Returning starters
OVERVIEW
The Saint Joseph’s Hawks under Phil Martelli, the dean of A-10 coaches, have proven to be a resilient bunch. When the season appeared to be slipping away last February for the 10-12 Hawks, St. Joe’s ripped off eight straight victories and came within one basket of winning the A-10 Tournament. St. Joe’s had to settle for the NIT, but the invitation represented the school’s sixth straight trip to the postseason.
Keeping that streak alive may prove quite a challenge for a new and very young edition of the Hawks. Martelli lost his top three perimeter players, who accounted for 59% of the scoring and three quarters of the team’s 3-pointers. They will be replaced by a trio of guards who, while considered the crown jewels of a great recruiting class, are still just freshmen.
Although the backcourt is untested, the frontcourt is a more proven commodity. Rob Ferguson is one of the better forwards in the A-10 and 6-9 center Ahmad Nivins is a rising star. Pat Calathes, a mobile 6-10 forward who causes matchup problems for opponents, came on strong late last year and is on the verge of a breakout.
As good as St. Joe’s might be upfront, the young guards have to earn their wings quickly to keep the Hawks program aloft in 2006-07. It helps to have Martelli, one of the best coaches in the country, at the helm. He’s faced similar situations before with good success.
“We’ll need big years from Ahmad Nivins and Rob Ferguson to get through the bumps and bruises that will occur in our backcourt,” Martelli said on A-10 media day.
DEPARTED PLAYERS
Dwayne Lee – Point guard from New Jersey (10.6 ppg, 4.3 apg) took over the team after superstar Jameer Nelson graduated to the NBA and did a laudable job in his final two seasons. He was a good floor leader and defender and hit some clutch shots. While not as dynamic as Nelson, Lee usually made smart decisions and he helped to guide the Hawks to two straight postseason appearances.
Chet Stachitas – Swingman from Florida was a poor man’s Pat Carroll (13.3 ppg, 40.5% 3PG). He moved well without the ball and created space for himself with the use of picks and screens. He was also a good passer and tough defender.
Abdulai Jalloh – The team’s most explosive player – temperamentally as well as offensively – transferred. The headstrong Jalloh was disliked by teammates and few are sad to see him go. While his loss is a temporary blow – Jalloh led the Hawks in scoring (15 ppg) – Martelli has recruited well and St. Joe’s will be better off in time. Jalloh simply wasn’t a good fit; his antics embarrassed school officials more than once.
Dave Mallon – The 6-10 center, once a well regarded recruit, was hampered by injuries almost his entire career. Mallon (4.1 ppg) was most comfortable on the perimeter but never displayed a consistent shot (25% 3PG). His primary role on offense was to set picks and get some putbacks. On defense, he clogged the lane, blocked a few shots and helped out on the boards (3.3 rpg).
Jordan Fowler – Freshman wing guard had talent, but he showed jitters on the court and lack of concentration in the classroom. Fowler was suspended in the second semester and later dismissed from the team. He only played in four games.
RETURNING PLAYERS
Rob Ferguson – The Hawks’ cerebral if undemonstrative power forward has begun to show why Martelli views him as an elite A-10 player. The multi-talented Ferguson scored 11 points a game, shooting 50% overall, 40% behind the arc and almost 85% on free throws. He also grabbed 4.4 boards a game, dished out 53 assists, blocked 28 shots and tallied 22 steals. Ferguson is the quietest stat-sheet stuffer in the league.
Though not an explosive athlete, Ferguson moves smoothly without the ball and is economical in his motion. He gets to his spots before defenders, shoots fluidly from the perimeter and uses good body control to score inside. He’s not big enough to bang down low all game, but Ferguson scores effectively near the basket with tips, flip hooks and up-and-unders. He also likes to roll off picks to receive passes from teammates or put back missed shots. His main shortcoming is defense. He gets caught out of position, fouls too much and is overpowered by bigger players. Ferguson made big strides last year but still needs to improve.
For all his contributions, Martelli wants even more from his 6-8 redshirt junior, but that will require Ferguson to show a level of assertiveness lacking in his prior three seasons on Hawk Hill. Ferguson seemed to get the message toward the end of last year. He scored in double digits in the final 11 games of the season after topping that mark just 10 times in the first 22 games. “He is going to have to be a guy that we should be able to identify as one of the best players in this league,” Martelli says.
Pat Calathes – In the final leg of the 2005-06 season, the light finally went on for the gangly swingman. Calathes (4.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg) began to play up to his potential and gave the Hawks a big lift. He four best performances – 17 points vs. Duquesne, 14 points vs. Xavier, 12 points vs. Rutgers and 17 points vs. Hofstra – all took place in the last seven games. He averaged nearly 11 points and 5 boards during that stretch. Calathes drove to the basket with more authority, made better decisions and turned the ball over less. Even his defense, still a sore spot with the coaches, got better.
The 6-10 Calathes is an unusual talent. He played the point in high school until a late growth spurt, but he’s retained his passing (60 assists) and ball-handling skills. In the open floor, Calathes is equally capable of leading the break or filling out the wing. He’s agile enough to get to the basket and big enough to finish. While his shot looks rather ugly, it went in with greater regularity (34% 3PG) during the Hawks rally in the second half of the season. The challenge for Calathes is to build on that success and do it for a whole year. If his succeeds, he’ll make the Hawks a difficult team for which to prepare. Calathes creates a mismatch no matter who is guarding him.
Ahmad Nivins – Rising 6-9 sophomore, who’s unusually skilled for his age, is arguably the most athletic bigman in the A-10. He’s very quick, has a huge wingspan and leaps Hawks Hill in a single bound (5 rpg). As a freshman, he mostly scored on dunks and putbacks (6.1 ppg, 61% FG), but he developing a solid low-post game and has extended range on his jumper. Unlike a lot of bigmen, he’s also a good free throw shooter (71% FT). The Hawks are likely to feed him regularly down low to see if he can score or get fouled in the act.
As a defender, Nivins has game-changing ability. He blocked 39 shots and intimidated opponents on a number of occasions. His biggest problem was foul trouble. He fouled out of four games and accumulated them so fast Martelli had to take him out of the starting lineup. Now that word has gotten out, Nivins can expect to see tougher defense in his second year. The trick is to be more assertive but stay out of foul trouble. How well Nivins manages that difficult balancing act likely will determine if St. Joe’s receives a postseason bid for the seventh straight year.
“My measuring stick is the jump that Delonte West made. He didn’t play as much as a freshman, but sophomore year he was the most improved player in the city and the league, and first team All-League,” Martelli says. “That would be an attainable jump for Ahmad.”
Alvin Mofunanya – Second-year power forward bulked up in the offseason and will contend for big minutes. While he’s not a finished product offensively, Mofunanya finishes well near the basket and is honing a faceup jumper. His offense (1.4 ppg, 50% FG) is the least of Martelli’s concerns, however. He wants Mofunanya to get physical. The 240-pound Mofunanya has the size, athleticism and instincts to become a good rebounder and post defender. If he makes the typical sophomore leap, the Hawks frontcourt would be able to hold its own against any in the league.
Edwin Lashley – Sophomore guard, known as a terrific 3-point shooter, played only 63 minutes (5 of 15 3PG) in his first season. Lashley has good size at 6-4, but he’s not a great athlete who can create his own shot. While he’ll get a chance to break into the rotation, Lashley faces plenty of competition from the freshmen. Martelli has said Lashley’s minutes would depend on how well he plays defense, but his shooting prowess won’t be overlooked.
Artur Surov – The 7-foot center from Finland is not fleet of foot, but he has a surprisingly soft touch near the basket and is a decent rebounder. Although he probably won’t see much time – he played just 73 minutes last year – Surov give the Hawks frontcourt more size and experience.
Arvydas Lidzius – Junior forward, a deep reserve his first two years, redshirted last season. Lidzius is an above-average athlete who plays solid defense. Because of his toughness and experience, he might get a little more playing time on a St. Joe’s squad that’s very young in the frontcourt.
NEWCOMERS
Jawan Carter – High-level recruit is the all-time scoring leader in Delaware and was named the state’s 2006 player of the year. Carter is a versatile guard who can play either backcourt position. He’s a good 3-point shooter but also makes sure to get his teammates involved. While Carter is expected to make an immediate impact, he’s been known to force shots and turn the ball over when things aren’t going his way. It’ll take time to adjust his game and smoothen out the wrinkles at the A-10 level, but Carter could be a four-year starter. “Jawan doesn’t act or think like a freshman,” Martelli says.
Darrin Govens – An All-State First Team selection in Pennsylvania, the 6-1 Govens is also a scoring point guard with a good handle and deep range. Though probably not an equal to Carter as a floor leader, some recruiting analysts rate Govens as a better player and he’s expected to share point duties. Bigger and more athletic, he bring a different element to the position. He likes to attack the rim or draw and dish to teammates.
D.J. Rivera – The most athletic of Martelli’s new crop of guards, Rivera is a slasher on the wing with big hops and an aggressive approach to the game. He’s not as good a shooter as Carter or Govens but still finds a way to score. Martelli believes Rivera stands out from his more celebrated teammates in another way, calling him a “ferocious” defender. “I’m anxious to unleash him defensively as soon as possible,” Martelli says.
Rockwell Moody – The only bigman in the freshman class, Moody has the potential to be a force as a rebounder and shotblocker. Though not a spectacular athlete like Nivins, he’s a widebody with a long wingspan and a defensive-minded approach. “We need to work with him on his offensive game,” Martelli says, “but every good team has a guy like Rockwell Moody.”
Garrett Williamson – The two-time member of the AP’s All-State First Team – joining teammates Govens and Rivera on the 2006 list – Williamson helped lead Lower Merion to the AAAA state championship. (Teammate Ryan Brooks signed with Temple). Long and quick, the 6-4 swingman has been compared by one Philly hoops observer to former URI star Cuttino Mobley. He’s an improved outside shooter who finishes well around the hoop and is also said to be a good defender. “Garrett Williamson has a knowledge of the game that’s quite advanced,” Martelli says. “He’s been an eye-opener.”
SCOUTING REPORT
The best Hawks teams under Martelli rely on dribble penetration and 3-point shooting. The past two seasons, however, the Hawks have lacked enough talent and athleticism to play the way Martelli prefers. Instead, St. Joe’s controlled the pace and ran a patterned half-court offense designed to free up shooters with endless picks and screens. That approach delivered two NIT appearances because the players had the experience to run the system to near perfection.
The new Hawks do not have the experience to master a more patient approach as well as their recent predecessors did. What they do have is good athleticism and the necessary ball-handling skills to drive and dish like earlier St. Joe’s teams. While Martelli will tighten the reins now and then, he will probably turn up the pressure at both ends to take advantage of the young legs. The guards will make their share of youth-induced turnovers, but they should be able to generate enough steals to mitigate the damage.
Just as important, freshmen Carter and Govens or sophomore Edwin Lashley have to hit some treys. Forwards Ferguson and Calathes can both hit the long ball, but they are set shooters who can’t be expected to lead the perimeter attack.
While the young guards have to shoulder heavy responsibilities, the veterans in the frontcourt will take the lead. The apprenticeships of Ferguson and Calathes are over. They are ready for starring roles. The presence of Nivins will also help the young guards. He can erase plenty of defensive mistakes with his shot-blocking. All three players can also post up opponents and will be counted on to do so quite regularly. The Hawks offense is likely to work inside out.
“We’re going to need to be able to score the ball in and around the basket and we’re going to have to develop some perimeter shooting,” Martelli acknowledges.
As usual, St. Joe’s is solid defensively and hold its own on the boards. The Hawks will need to do an even better job in both of those areas – Ferguson and Calathes especially – while the perimeter attack takes shape.
In a best-case scenario, Carter and Govens will perform much like Tommie Liddell and Kevin Lisch did in their first season at Saint Louis, keeping the Hawks in contention for the A-10 title. Even if they don’t play quite that well, the Hawks frontcourt is strong enough to prevent St. Joe’s from slipping too far.
PREDICTION
The Hawks haven’t had this much talent and athleticism since the Elite 8 appearance three years ago. They are not going to the Elite 8 this year and an NCAA bid is probably just as unlikely, but St. Joe’s will finish strong and raise expectations for the following season.
Record: 15-14 (8-8), 8th place
ADDENDUM
A few additional comments:
I find it hard to bet against Martelli, so it won’t surprise me in the least if the Hawks again surpass expectations. He’s always been a good coach, but he’s so much better now than when he first got the job in the mid-1990s. He isn’t wedded to any one style (although he does have a preferred one). He excels at taking what he’s got and tailoring his approach to best fit the talent of his players. That’s what great coaches do.
At first I thought the loss of Jalloh would be a big setback. Now I am less persuaded. If Ferguson, Nivins and Calathes step up like they are capable, the Hawks guards won’t have as much pressure on them. St. Joe’s could have one of the best frontcourts in the league.
Martelli just needs Carter and Govens to keep turnovers down, make the entry passes and hit some jumpers. Both are good shooters and ball handlers, so I think they will be all right. Defense is where they will likely have the most trouble, but it’s nice to have an eraser like Nivins under the net. The key is keeping Nivins out of foul trouble. The Hawks defense will be exposed when he’s out. Ferguson and Calathes are decent defenders at best, barring significant improvement from last year (which I actually expect).
That said, I can’t put the Hawks higher than 8th given my tendency to place a premium on guard play and experience, especially in the backcourt. The Hawks’ run at the end of last season was fueled in large part by the experience of seniors Dwayne Lee and Chet Stachitas and the improved play of Jalloh. Yes, Ferguson and Calathes came on strong, but the Hawks’s wing players did the most damage.
As for the Hawks sked, I went conservative as I did with most teams. I think the Hawks will beat Ohio but chalked it up as a loss. The Saint Mary’s game will be tough. I am probably not too smart picking St. Joe’s to beat Bucknell and Hofstra, but I think the Hawks get payback for losses to those teams last year.
W – FAIRFIELD
W – At Lafeyette
W – BUCKNELL
L – At Penn State
W – BOSTON UNIVERSITY
W – DREXEL
L – Louisville (NABC Classic)
L – Ohio (NABC Classic)
L – SAINT MARY’S
W – Hofstra (MSG)
L – St. John’s (MSG)
W – Penn (Palestra)
L – At Villanova
Link: [B][URL=http://www.basketballboards.net/forum/showthread.php?t=311694]A-10 PREVIEW – 8TH PLACE[/URL][/B]
St. Joe’s is my ‘sleeper’ pick for next year. WH puts a lot of stock in guard play in his W-L predictions, but I think their newcomers at guard are not only going to be legit, but are going to be very good this year. This team is also stacked at 3-5. St. Joe’s and Martelli seemed a bit disappointed with 19 wins last year - I think they have at least the potential to be an NCAA tournament team, like they usually are … we’ll see.
Last year, I wanted to see how we performed against Xavier. This year, I’m awaiting St. Joe’s. Could be a real grudge match, especially with the way Martelli’s teams play. Plus, I kind of consider myself one of the charter members of the Bones Phaler fan club … Phaler vs. Calathes is gonna be real interesting and I’ll be rooting for Phaler to step up to that challenge.