Let's Dance: Martelli and Hawks Headed to NCAA Tournament

Following a see-saw final month of the season that saw Saint Joseph's go from losing games to La Salle and Saint Louis to beating Xavier twice in eight days, the Hawks received a bid to join the madness of the NCAA Tournament. Saint Joseph's, an 11 seed in the East Regional, is set to play sixth-seeded and Big XII at-large team Oklahoma Friday in first-round action. The game is set to start at 7:10 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 21 at the BJCC Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.

The Hawks essentially played their way in to the Big Dance by winning three games in the Atlantic 10 Tournament last week in Atlantic City before losing a hard-fought contest with Big Five rival Temple, 69-64, for the conference championship and automatic berth. The Hawks defeated Fordham, Richmond, and Xavier along the way to the A-10 Championship Game.

Students are able to travel to Birmingham through the athletic department. For $200, students will receive bus transportation, hotel accommodations, and a ticket to the game (along with one for the second round should the Hawks advance). With a win on Friday, St. Joe's would advance to play the winner of third-seeded Louisville and 14th-seeded Boise State.

For full coverage on the Hawks improbable run to the NCAA Tournament, see this week's special sports section on page 14.