Atlantic 10 Conference report

SportsLine Report
April 15, 2000

A glance at 2001

The Hawks will continue to shoot as well as anyone they play.

Interior defense, a serious problem last season, will remain a question, however.

But with guard Marvin O'Connor a year older and more mature, St. Joseph's should improve as a big play team.

Alexander Sasonov, the first seven-footer in the history of the program, returns next winter after sitting out this season as a medical redshirt. His presence alone will be a boost that should offer significant support to Damian Reid and Bill Phillips. Reid is a raw but powerful center who has shown flashes of becoming a dominant rebounder while Martelli has called Phillips the best all-around player on the team.

Another year of experience for both players should make a significant difference.

The coach

Martelli did his usual sound job of coaching this season, getting the most out of a perimeter-oriented group that lacked any real inside presence.

His ability to make this delicate chemistry work resulted in a number of big wins, with New Mexico, Long Beach State, Siena, Providence, and the conference's three best teams -- Dayton, St. Bonvaventure and Temple -- among the victims.

Who'll be back

The return of O'Connor, Phillips, Reid, Frank Wilkins and swingman Na'im Crenshaw all bode well. They present Martelli with a solid core.

Who's gone

Robert Haskins left mid-way through last season due to the tragic death of a close friend. Tim Brown and Andre Howard, key parts of the team's perimeter attack this season, will be missed.

Key newcomers

One of Martelli's most important triumphs occurred off the court, when a suburban Philadelphia point guard named Jamir Nelson chose the Hawks over Temple. Just how good is this player? John Chaney reportedly wanted him badly. Sasonov, essentially a forgotten man because of his redshirted season, should also make an immediate difference.