Athletics

Saint Joseph's Hawks 2007-08 Preview

Last Year

    The Hawks are coming off a up and down season that was filled with glimpses of the future. Tough wins against tournament teams like Xavier and Pennsylvania showed that the team can play at a high level while bad losses against Richmond and Ohio showed that the team is still maturing. SJU was eventually bounced from A-10 Tournament by the champion George Washington Colonials. The good news is that the Hawks will return all contributors from a team that won 18 games, with 9 of them coming in conference play. Also, Pat Calathes and Ahmad Nivins were named to both the A-10 Conference Team and Big 5 Team. The Hawks showed that they have enough talent to compete with the top teams in the division and many of the better teams in the country.

This Year

FRONTCOURT

    Junior Ahmad Nivins returns to anchor the paint for the Hawks. Offensively, he averaged over 16 points per game last year, a 10 point increase from the year before. His continuous offensive development in the post will help him maintain a team high 63.1% field goal percentage, which is also the single season record at Saint Joseph's. If the SJU guards are able to get him the ball down low on a regular basis he could continue the rise in scoring average. Defensively, he will be counted on to rebound and alter opponent's shot when they decide to penetrate. In 2006-07, he was able to tally over 7.5 rebounds per contest while blocking 1 shot. Much of the Hawks success will depend on Ahmad's ability to consistently perform at a high level throughout the season.

    Senior Rob Ferguson has been very consistent throughout his career at Hawk Hill. In the past two seasons, he has steadily increased his points per game average, rebound average, and free throw percentage. With this being his final season with the team, he will need continue that trend if the Hawks are going to be successful in making the postseason. His 11.3 PPG last year was third best on the team and came in a variety of ways. The versatility he displays at the offensive end is Ferguson's greatest strength, he has the ability to step out all the way to the three point line and hit jumpers and also has a decent back to the basket game around the hoop. He did all of this while converting 46.5% of his shots. He has become an increasingly successful rebounder, averaging 5.3 boards a game in 2006-07. If he can continue his progress in this area, Ferguson's steady fundamental game would serve as a tremendous compliment to the ultra-athletic Nivins in the frontcourt.

    Another example of continuous improvement is Pat Calathes. The 6-10 wing player has increased almost every statistical category over the last 3 years and received the Robert F. O'Neill Award, which signifies improvement, for his efforts. Entering into his senior year, his key asset to the Hawks is his all-around versatility which was shown last year when he finished second on the team in scoring (13.9) and rebounding (7.1), while leading the team in assists (3.6). Dramatic improvements were made in his outside shooting as he hit 45% of his shots, while making 42% from beyond the arc. Pat has a reputation of being a tireless worker and the stats back that up. If he can find consistency on a game-to-game basis he can provide the Hawks with essentials they need to be successful in Coach Martelli's team oriented system.

    Saint Joseph's has a newcomer to the frontline in freshman Idris Hilliard. Hilliard is an accomplished graduate of The Hun School in New Jersey. He will provide the Hawks with hustle and energy off of the bench in the upcoming year. Senior Arvydas Lidzius will resume his role of defensive role player when called upon off of the bench. Look for him to play sound defense and display effort throughout the season. A big unknown for the frontcourt is the status of Rockwell Moody. The 6-9 sophomore has shown a defensive aptitude when he has gotten his chance to play and, if he continues to progress, could help the Hawks with their rebounding and shot blocking abilities. Coach Martelli does expect Moody to contribute meaningful minutes throughout the season and hopefully will provide much needed depth off the bench.

BACKCOURT

    Much of Coach Martelli's recent success could be attributed to great guard play that he has gotten from his floor generals. It is no coincidence than that the Hawks struggled most last year when their young guards were inconsistent. This year, Coach is hoping for steadier play from point guard Darrin Govens and company. The young guard was very impressive at times, including a four game streak of double digit scoring in which the team went 4-0, but at other points seemed to struggle getting acclimated to the college game. Govens ended the year averaging over 7 points a game and 2.5 assists despite having a slow start to the season. His 38.8% 3 point field goal percentage will likely keep opponents honest and assist in the Hawk's outside shooting attack. Coach Martelli would like to see Govens enter into the season more physically mature so he can endure the rigors of a tough collegiate season. Darrin is very talented and will be a key factory in how the season goes for Saint Joes.

    Hawk's return two defensive specialists in Garrett Williamson and D.J. Rivera. These two were often brought in to neutralize the opponent's top perimeter threat and showed great tenacity and heart. The 6-2 Rivera is great energy guy whose athleticism and drive is second to none. The lanky 6-4 Williamson is more of a cerebral player that displays a high basketball IQ when on the court. Both players averaged over five points a game last year in significant minutes. It will be their ability to develop their offensive games and become better all-around players that will likely determine how much time they get this year. Junior Edwin Lashley's role is unknown coming into the season. He has played sparingly in his first two years but is said to have a tremendous outside stroke that could help SJU's perimeter threat.

    Saint Joes will get a key contributor in the form of a transfer from Iowa State in Tasheed Carr. Carr was a solid contributor in the talented Big 12 Conference while playing there his freshman and sophomore seasons. All accounts from practice have been positive. Tasheed provides the Hawks with experience, sound defense, perimeter capability, and able ball handler if need be. He will look to fill the void left by departed freshman Jawan Carter. A late signee to the team is Charoy Bentley. Bentley is a highly accomplished player from the state of Connecticut and future floor general for the Hawks. It is unknown how much of a role he will play in the upcoming season.

Prediction

    Saint Joes has a nice blend of experience and youth on their roster this season. Another year together will hopefully help them develop the kind of chemistry that will let them take advantage of their respective talents. It has a significant amount of talented depth on the bench that will be able to assist the starters when they are struggling. That is one of many strengths that will help the team endure tough teams and persevere. If this team can consistently follow Coach Martelli's instruction it will be one of the better teams in the Big 5 and A-10, and could go dancing come March.