Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
March 8, 2001

O'Connor is averaging 21.9 points, pulling down 3.8 rebounds a game and has 76 assists. (AP)

O'Connor chatted about winning the Atlantic 10 regular season conference title, his team's chances in the NCAA Tournament and his game against LaSalle in the first round of the A-10 tourney.

The junior guard has been having a career year. He is averaging 21.9 points, pulling down 3.8 rebounds a game and has 76 assists. He led his team to a first place finish in the Atlantic 10 conference and scored a career high 37 in his last regular season game (vs. LaSalle) in which he scored 18 of his team's last 20 points.

St. Joseph's (25-5, 14-2) is ranked 21st in the AP poll.

Marvin O'Connor: Hello everybody!

Question: oconnfan: After the loss to LaSalle on Saturday, was this win today twice as satisfying?

Marvin O'Connor: Well.. it was a big win for us. Simply because we wanted to get the winning streak going again. That loss hurt our momentum and we wanted to get the momentum going started again.

Question: hoopsters: Honestly, how far do you think this team can go?

Marvin O'Connor: Honestly? I think if we played to our capabilities we can go to the limit. But we have to have a one game at a time approach. I think we can go as far as anybody but we have to take it one game at a time and everyone play to their potential.

Question: stjoe1: Who would you rather play next - UMass or St Bonnie's?

Marvin O'Connor: I don't have a preference, honestly. I think we match up well with both teams. We just need to have a better start on our games and not be laid back at the beginning. Both are a threat and both are good teams.

Question: gal_in_red: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game?

Marvin O'Connor: My competitive nature. And the drive to play hard. I wouldn't say shooting or passing or anything like that. Going all out every night is the key to my game.

Question: salbers: How did you prepare for this year over the summer?

Marvin O'Connor: I tried to do a lot of weightlifting and work on the aspects of the game. But I pretty much wanted to get stronger. For being the focus of the offense I wanted to get stronger.

Question: tooch23: What about St. Joe's basketball program made you want to transfer there?

Marvin O'Connor: I thought it was a good situation for me from the start. When I came and talked to everyone, they made me feel comfortable and were straight forward with me.

Question: oconnfan: How hard is it for the team to not overlook the A-10 tourney towards the NCAA tourney?

Marvin O'Connor: I think our success has been the one game at a time approach. With the maturity of everyone, we refuse to look down the road. We look at the next game. That is important. Our guys are good at that.

Question: matt12: What seed do you think St. Joe's will get?

Marvin O'Connor: Probably.. maybe.. a 4 or 5.

Question: hoopsters: Do you think you guys could give say.. Duke a run for their money?

Marvin O'Connor: Well I think that, if we all play up to our potential, we could give them a run. Or anyone else of that level.

Question: montrice: Is there any team you specifically don't want to meet in either tourney?

Marvin O'Connor: No. We're prepared to play anyone in the county. It isn't a specific team .. but we are prepared to play anybody.

Question: marty3: How many teams do you think will make The NCAA Tournament from The Atlantic 10 Conference?

Marvin O'Connor: Depending on how certain teams do in the tournament, I would say 3. Us, Xavier and probably Temple.

Question: jpm114: Marvin is LaSalle an especially tough team to play because the kids on both teams have so much history playing against each other in Philly??

Marvin O'Connor: Yeah. I think it is a tough team to play because of the rivalry of the past years. And they are a good club who has lost close games. Their record doesn't show how good they are.

Question: tooch23: What kind of relationship do you have with Coach Martelli?

Marvin O'Connor: We have a good relationship. And an honest one. That is good because that is something I didn't have at Villanova.

Question: go_hawks: Looking back on it, was there any game this season that you think you should have won that you didn't?

Marvin O'Connor: Yeah. The Villanova and DePaul games. We made some mistakes and should have pulled it out. Oh.. and that regular season LaSalle game.

Question: hoopsters: What do you do when you aren't studying or practicing?

Marvin O'Connor: Spending time with my family. I am a family guy and like to spend time with them.

Question: from willj: Marv this is Will Johnson in England, Terrell and I are proud of y'all. Where would you like to go region wise? Tell Phil what's up. Be back April 8th.

Marvin O'Connor: Hey we appreciate you saying good luck. See you on April 8th! Region wise? I want to stay on the Eastern region so the St. Joe's supporters and families can come.

Question: go_hawks: What do people NOT give the hawks enough respect for?

Marvin O'Connor: I think they don't respect our overall ability to play the game. We're a good team who didn't get ranked until a few weeks ago. We were on a roll and didn't get noticed.

Question: marty3: How important is the three point shot to St. Joseph's Overall Success?

Marvin O'Connor: It's big! It's huge. We have a lot of guys on the team that can shoot that. It has kept us in a lot of games this year.

Question: jpm114: Marvin you spent lots of time today guarding LaSalle's best player Rasual Butler..he's a forward and you give away some size..what did you try and do against him???

Marvin O'Connor: I just try to make him take tough shots. He is good but I thought that, with my quickness, I could bother him and make him take tough shots.

Question: beer-man: Marvin, does your team put a lot of emphasis on a fast break offence?

Marvin O'Connor: Yeah.. We like to run up and down. We have a lot of guys who are strong at doing that.

Question: jpm114: Marvin what has the arrival of point guard Jameer Nelson meant to you and the team??

Marvin O'Connor: Jameer plays a huge role in what we do. He is a great freshman point and it takes a lot of pressure off me and Crenshaw. He's important to the team.

Question: go_hawks: What do you feel was the key to the win today? What do you feel the team can improve on at this point?

Marvin O'Connor: The key was limiting them to not getting so many offensive rebounds. Last game they killed us with that. Today we rebounded well. I think we can improve on our overall free throw shooting. The way games come to the wire, we can all improve on that.

Question: ncaabound: What was it that made you choose St Joe's? What other schools were on your short list?

Marvin O'Connor: I had it in my mind that I was coming here, before I left. I didn't have a list. I wanted to stay in the area because my family is here. This was a better situation for me.

Question: jpm114: Marvin how are you feeling after Samsonov landed on your head? Will you be ready tomorrow??

Marvin O'Connor: I will be alright. I need to rest tonight and get some ice. Me being who I am, I will be fine and ready.

Question: marty3: How dangerous can St. Joseph's be in the NCAA Tournament if you play up to your Potential?

Marvin O'Connor: I think the sky is the limit for us! I think we can beat anyone in the country if we play up to our potential. And if we slack off we can lose to anybody.

Marvin O'Connor: Thanks to everybody for typing in and I was happy to do this. I hope you all watch us on TV and keep supporting us!