The lowdown
2000-01 record: 26-7; 14-2 in A-10 (1st)
Final Ranking: No. 24 ESPN/USA Today; No. 22 AP
Postseason: Lost to Stanford 90-83 in West Region semifinals
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. How do the Hawks handle success and being tabbed as one of the favorites in A-10?
2. Will need to find more inside scoring to compliment O'Connor and Nelson.
3. Will fifth-year senior Nai'im Crenshaw be eligible?
Three Key Facts
1. Senior guard Marvin O'Connor was named to the 2001-02 Playboy All-America Team. O'Connor, who led SJU with a 22.1 ppg average last year, becomes the first Hawk, and just the fifth Philadelphia Big Five Player to be honored by Playboy in the magazine's 25-year history of selecting the team.
2. Phil Martelli signed a four-year contract extension this summer to coach at St. Joe's through the 2004-05 season. In six seasons under Martelli, the Hawks have compiled a 107-78 record. He is the fifth-winningest coach in school history.
3. The Hawks boasted an all-A-10 backcourt with Marvin O'Connor and freshman point Jameer Nelson -- each were named to the first team. Behind the duo, look for the Hawks to enter the season ranked in the top 20 and once again be the favorite to defend their Atlantic 10 regular-season title.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: Win the A-10 East and get back to the NCAA Tournament.
Worst case: If everything falls apart, the Hawks still probably don't slide past third.
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Key Players Returning
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|
Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Jameer Nelson
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So.
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G
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6-1/180
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PTS: 12.5 | REB: 4.0 | AST: 6.5
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Marvin O'Connor
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Sr.
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G
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6-4/190
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PTS: 22.1 | REB: 3.7 | AST: 2.6
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Bill Phillips
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Sr.
|
F
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6-9/240
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PTS: 11.6 | REB: 9.1 | AST: 3.4
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Na'im Crenshaw
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Sr.
|
G
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6-5/180
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PTS: 11.4 | REB: 3.3 | AST: 2.0
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Key Losses
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|
Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
|
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Frank Wilkins
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F
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6-9/200
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PTS: 5.8 | REB: 3.3 | AST: 1.0
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St. Joseph's Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Pat Carroll
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G
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6-5
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Horsham/Hatboro-Horsham (Pa.)
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Dwayne Jones
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F
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6-10
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Ashton/American Christian Academy (Pa.)
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Delonte West
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G
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6-3
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Greenbelt/Eleanor Roosevelt (Md.)
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Jamal Nichols
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F
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6-7
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Franklin/Philadelphia
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