Blue Ribbon - Preview of St Joes -- Fairfield Stags Hoops Forum

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Date Posted: 09:04:50am 11/21/05 Mon,
Author: JoeStag
Subject: Blue Ribbon - Preview of St Joes
In reply to: JoeStag 's message, "Philly.com - St Joes Preview" on 08:44:06am 11/21/05 Mon,

Here are some highlights of Blue Ribbons preview

- While the faces of the players around him change, the winning continues -- and should again this winter even with 2005 Co-Atlantic 10 Player-of-the-Year Pat Carroll (18.3 ppg) and 6-10 shot-blocking and rebounding ace Dwayne Jones (10.1 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 3.0 bpg) gone from last year's NIT championship game loser.

- This year, look for Martelli to play a grind-it-out, first-one-to-score-60-wins style that worked so well for him a year ago. To succeed in that style, a team needs good, experienced guards, and the Hawks have those in 6-0 senior Dwayne Lee (9.4 ppg, 5.2 apg) and 6-5 senior Chet Stachitas (10.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg). Last year, it took Lee a little while to adjust to being the point guard after Nelson (who wouldn't?). But, once the calendar flipped to 2005, Lee was one of the best, if not the best point guard in the Atlantic 10.

- Lee played solid on-the-ball defense and ran the offense efficiently -- his 5.2 assists per game led the A-10. His dogged defense out top forced opponents to start their offensive sets a step or two further out than they normally would. As a result, the Hawks were able to hold their opponents to 60 or less points on 24 different occasions.

- Stachitas 6-5 (50 made three-pointers last season) becomes the Hawks' new designated shooter now that Carroll has graduated. He's been through the A-10 wars and has taken -- and made -- his fair share of big shots.

- If that weren't enough perimeter firepower to worry about, Martelli also has 6-1 sophomore Abdulai Jalloh (4.3 ppg), who has star quality about him, Jalloh was inconsistent as a freshman, but he's the most athletic player on the team and has a bright future. Jalloh can man either guard spot and never backs down from a difficult defensive assignment.

- Fowler and Lashley are 2 Frosh wing players that are about 6-4. Fowler can get to the rim, Lashley is a deadeye perimeter shooter with anywhere-in-the-gym range.

- But while the backcourt is in good hands for the foreseeable future, the frontcourt has questions, especially after Jones signed a two-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves in early July rather than returning to Hawk Hill.
-6-8 sophomore power forward Rob Ferguson (3.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg) has great offensive skills, saw action in all 36 games last year and will be given a license to shoot a whole lot more this winter. He'll be an A-10 star power forward -- and soon.

- Fellow sophomore Pat Calathes, 6-10 but a spindly 205 pounds, is another interesting prospect, because of his unique perimeter skills for a guy his height. Calathes (1.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg) actually served as a backup point guard at times last winter. He's worked hard in the off-season on his outside shot and on his ability to shuffle his feet more quickly at the defensive end.

- Junior Arvydas Lidzius, 6-9, 210, still needs to add meat to his bones, but the native of Lithuania showed more intensity last year. Lidzius averaged just 0.9 points and 1.2 rebounds. But with Jones and John Bryant gone, there are minutes to be had at the two power spots.

- Senior Dave Mallon, 6-10, has been hindered each year by nagging injuries and last year was no different -- he missed six games with a stress fracture in his foot. Mallon is used to playing on the perimeter and in the high post but might need to see more action in the post with Jones gone.

- freshman Ahmad Nivins, 6-9, played for legendary high school coach Bob Hurley, Sr. at Saint Anthony (N.J.) High. Nivins averaged a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) and also swatted five shots per game last year for the New Jersey high school powerhouse. He'll help ease the loss of Jones, particularly on defense and on the backboards.

- freshman Alvin Mofunanya, 6-8, forward/center who averaged 18 points and 11 boards last season for Dwight Morrow (N.J.) High School. He has tremendous shot-blocking potential, something the Hawks can sorely use with Jones gone.

- even 7-0 Artur Surov will replace Jones' lost production in the pivot by committee. Surov (1.7 ppg, 0.8 rpg) is slow of foot, but the native of Finland brings size to the table. He could get the opportunity to play more this season.

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[> [> CT Post - Preview of St Joes -- Stagophile, 09:20:45am 11/21/05 Mon, [1]

St. Joseph's at Fairfield

WHAT � Men's basketball

WHEN � Tonight, 7:30

WHERE � Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport

RECORDS � St. Joe's 1-0; Fairfield 0-1

SERIES � St. Joe's leads 15-4.

ON THE AIR � WVOF-88.5, www.fairfieldstags.com

SKINNY � Fairfield plays its home opener tonight, looking to get back to the .500 mark after a season-opening defeat at St. Francis (N.Y.) on Friday night. ... The Stags lost 69-64 in their opener. They did receive some encouraging performances, though. Freshman guard Jonathan Han led all scorers with 17 points and five assists, and junior forward Marty O'Sullivan, who will be counted on to fill a void in the post, had 12 points and 13 rebounds. But Fairfield, which should have depth if nothing else, got just five points from its bench. ... Fairfield will play its third home opener against an Atlantic-10 team

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[> [> [> Re: CT Post - Preview of St Joes -- Stagophile, 09:22:31am 11/21/05 Mon, [1]

... at the Arena tonight. The Stags are 0-2 so far. They're 1-3 overall in home openers at the Arena, with the lone victory coming last season against Elon. ... The Stags lost to the Hawks last season 59-51 in Philadelphia. They've dropped the last five games in the series. ... St. Joe's was a national title contender two seasons ago, going unbeaten during the regular season. ... The Hawks easily won their opener on Friday night, beating Lafayette 70-47. Abdulai Jalloh scored 18 points and Chet Stachitas added 15. ... Stachitas, Dwayne Lee and Dave Mallon are the three returning starters from last year's 24-win team.

UP NEXT � Nov. 28 vs. Providence, 7:30 p.m.

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