The Hawk

Issue date: 12/8/06 Section: Sports

Jawan Carter prepares for three straight games.

Phil Martelli says the mark of a good team is not to lose two games in a row. Should Saint Joseph's follow their demoralizing 72-56 loss to city rival Drexel University with a loss to a Division II school tonight, they will have a hard time convincing anyone of their skill. That is, until tomorrow night, when the Hawks get the opportunity to redeem themselves with an upset over the Big East's Louisville Cardinals.

As the Hawks compete in the NABC Classic this weekend they will have plenty of opportunities to show what they can do against a wide range of teams.

Their biggest challenge, however, will be to put the Drexel loss behind them in time to overcome Bellarmine tonight.

The Hawks hold a 2-0 series advantage against Bellarmine, but the teams have not met in nearly 40 years. The last time St. Joe's and Bellarmine University met, the Hawks avoided a near upset, pulling away with a 66-62 victory over the host Knights.

In the first meeting of the schools, the '65-66 Hawks showed why they were the AP's preseason No.1 team in the nation with a 98-68 thumping of the Knights.

But should the Hawks simply rest on their wilting laurels, they may fail one of the easiest tests of the semester at Bellarmine.

Freshman point guard Jawan Carter, who made just one of six attempts versus Drexel, will be called upon to run the offense more smoothly than in his last outing. The freshman guards, who could not turn their drive into production in the Palestra meltdown, are going to have to mature fast as they prepare to play three games in three days.

"They are just eager to play," said Assistant Coach Mark Bass. "They don't care who it is- they want to play, learn and compete."

The Hawks hold an obvious advantage size and talent over their Division II opponent, who cannot match up with the Hawks at any position. The Knight's best player, Clifford Brando, will be sidelined with injury, leaving the scoring burden on Dzaflo Larkai, a transfer from La Salle University.

Assistant Coach Mark Bass describes Bellarmine as a scrappy team that knows how to run their offense. He expects the Knights to move the ball well and go back door on the Hawks, who will have to counter with good communication on defense.

Saturday night the Hawks will face their most talented opponents to date, and arguably of the season, as they battle the tournament host Louisville Cardinals.

Continued...

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