St. Joseph’s season preview

by Jason Weisbecker

Thursday November 12, 2009 

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St. Josephs Hawks

 The St. Joseph’s Hawks are in a rebuilding year and most likely will finish 3rd or 4th in the Big 5. Losing seniors Ahmed Nivins and Tasheed Carr to graduation leaves the Hawks with two big holes to fill. Nivens is the reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, 1st team All-Philly Big 5 and last season’s leading scorer (19.2 ppg.) and leading rebounder (11.8 rpg.) for the Hawks, while Carr was the calming influence and floor leader from the guard position.

 2008-2009 Recap: The Hawks found themselves in the mix last season around midseason. Unfortunately, Martelli’s bunch went on to lose 7 of their last 10 games to finish 17-15 overall and 9-7 in the A-10. It appeared that the Hawks ran out of gas at the end of the season, as four players averaged 34 minutes a game.

 Backcourt: The Hawks will depend heavily on their returning seniors Darrin Govens and Garrett Williamson. Govens will be depended upon to score and direct traffic. If the Hawks expect to compete in the Big 5 and A-10, Govens will have to increase last years 12.7 ppg output. Williamson, a defensive specialist is a big guard at 6’5 and will be looked at to shut down the opposition’s top scorer.

 Frontcourt: To fill the void that was left by Nivens, Martelli will depend on junior forward Idris Hilliard to step right in and produce. Hilliard averaged 9.2 ppg and 5.5 rpg last season and is expected surpass those numbers while logging more minutes. 6-11 Sophomore transfer Todd O’Brian from Bucknell, will also be counted on to solidify the front court for the Hawks.

 Recruits: Even though the Hawks are strong in the backcourt, they will also depend on two freshman guards, Justin Crosgile and Carl Jones. While Jones is expected to log more minutes then Crosgile, both will be counted on to spell Govens and Williamson. Freshman forward Carl Baptiste could also see some time this season.

Biggest Loss(s): Without a doubt, losing Ahmed Nivens is going to hurt.

Key Player(s): The key to the Hawks success will depend heavily on the play of Hilliard and Govens.

Pleasant Surprise(s): Transfer Todd O’Brian will be a pleasant surprise in the front court.

Freshman of the Year: Jones will get to play significant minutes and could be a starter by the end of the year.

Prediction:

Big 5: 4th

A-10- Middle of the pack (8th or 9th)

Filed Under Big 5

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