2008 Woodie Awards
NCAA berth is possible for men
Geoff Roberts '08
Issue date: 11/10/06 Section: Sports
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Nobody expects much from the Saint Joseph's University men's basketball team this season.
Let's face it: this year's squad has no starting seniors and a roster that includes five freshmen.
This is not 2004's star-studded Elite Eight team, not by a long shot.
All of which brings about the perennial question: how will this year's team fair in the Atlantic 10 conference?
Put your fantasies of a NCAA tournament berth aside, but despite their critics, the Saint Joseph's men's team will be a top-four team in the A-10 this season.
In an October 24, 2006 poll of the A-10's head coaches and members of the media, Saint Joseph's was ranked the 8th best team in the A-10.
The Xavier Musketeers received 59 of 64 first place votes. The defending A-10 champions have all five starters returning, with four of the five being named to preseason All-Conference teams.
UMass ranked second in the poll, receiving four first place votes. After a 13-15 season last year, UMass is returning four starters and has picked up three impressive transfer players.
The transfers are led by 7'0" Luke Bonner, a transfer from West Virginia who played in the shadow of Kevin Pittsnogle last season.
Saint Louis once again has a strong team and ranks third in the poll, followed by Charlotte. Charlotte is led by the A-10's returning leading scorer, De'Angelo Alexander (17.1 ppg). George Washington, Dayton, and Fordham are also ranked ahead of Saint Joseph's.
The results of the coaches and media poll are not encouraging, but Saint Joseph's will be a better team than expected.
My picks for the top four teams in the A-10 this season are Xavier, UMass, Charlotte, and Saint Joseph's. Xavier should be close to untouchable in the A-10; UMass will have a much-needed great season; and Charlotte has too much offense.
Saint Louis, George Washington, Dayton, and Fordham were all ranked ahead of Saint Joseph's, but the Hawks will be able to handle these teams.
Let's face it: this year's squad has no starting seniors and a roster that includes five freshmen.
This is not 2004's star-studded Elite Eight team, not by a long shot.
All of which brings about the perennial question: how will this year's team fair in the Atlantic 10 conference?
Put your fantasies of a NCAA tournament berth aside, but despite their critics, the Saint Joseph's men's team will be a top-four team in the A-10 this season.
In an October 24, 2006 poll of the A-10's head coaches and members of the media, Saint Joseph's was ranked the 8th best team in the A-10.
The Xavier Musketeers received 59 of 64 first place votes. The defending A-10 champions have all five starters returning, with four of the five being named to preseason All-Conference teams.
UMass ranked second in the poll, receiving four first place votes. After a 13-15 season last year, UMass is returning four starters and has picked up three impressive transfer players.
The transfers are led by 7'0" Luke Bonner, a transfer from West Virginia who played in the shadow of Kevin Pittsnogle last season.
Saint Louis once again has a strong team and ranks third in the poll, followed by Charlotte. Charlotte is led by the A-10's returning leading scorer, De'Angelo Alexander (17.1 ppg). George Washington, Dayton, and Fordham are also ranked ahead of Saint Joseph's.
The results of the coaches and media poll are not encouraging, but Saint Joseph's will be a better team than expected.
My picks for the top four teams in the A-10 this season are Xavier, UMass, Charlotte, and Saint Joseph's. Xavier should be close to untouchable in the A-10; UMass will have a much-needed great season; and Charlotte has too much offense.
Saint Louis, George Washington, Dayton, and Fordham were all ranked ahead of Saint Joseph's, but the Hawks will be able to handle these teams.
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