Saint Joseph’s Hawks
2018-2019 Overall Rank: #63
Conference Rank: #4 Atlantic 10
Just as last season got underway, Saint Joseph’s lost Lamarr Kimble and Charlie Brown to injury. The previous season Kimble averaged 15.5 points per game and Brown added 12.8 points. With those two back to form a strong nucleus on the perimeter, this should be a group that can contend for a conference title despite the loss of three important players. However, they will need to stay healthy or the Hawks could again quickly end up with another disappointing campaign.
2017-18 Record: 16-16, 10-8
2017-18 Postseason: None
Coach: Phil Martelli
Coach Record: 432-308 at Saint Joseph’s, 432-308 overall
Key Departed Players:
Shavar Newkirk, Guard, 17.4 ppg
James Demery, Forward, 16.9 ppg
Nick Robinson, Guard, 7.7 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Taylor Funk, Sophomore, Forward, 11.8 ppg
Chris Clover, Senior, Guard, 8.2 ppg
Pierfrancesco Oliva, Junior, Forward, 6.6 ppg
Anthony Longpre, Sophomore, Forward, 4.3 ppg
Lorenzo Edwards, Sophomore, Forward, 1.7 ppg
Markell Lodge, Senior, Forward
Lamarr Kimble, Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Charlie Brown, Jr, Sophomore, Forward, DNP last season
Key New Players:
Jared Bynum, Freshman, Guard
Valdir Manuel, Freshman, Forward
Ryan Daly, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Delaware, not eligible
Projection:
Taylor Funk is back after averaging 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds as a freshman. The 6-9 forward is a very good outside shooter and his ability to stretch the defense will open up space for the rest of the offense. Pierfrancesco Oliva was a regular starter in the frontcourt as well. The 6-8 junior is not a huge scoring threat, but he is a very good rebounder and passer. With Anthony Longpre and Lorenzo Edwards showing some potential as freshmen, the Hawks have plenty of options in the frontcourt. Chris Clover is the only guard back who played last season and that does leave some questions when it comes to depth on the perimeter. Freshman Jared Bynum will join Brown, Kimble and Clover to form a talented group on the perimeter, but there is little margin for error when it comes to injuries. If this group can come together as a team and stay healthy though, an Atlantic 10 title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament (see code Betfair) is not a far off achievement.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.1 (165th in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 72.2 (170, 8)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.3 (295, 12)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.0 (63, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.0 (141, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.7 (247, 8)
Free-Throw Percentage: 68.7 (272, 12)
Rebound Margin: -1.1 (241, 11)
Assists Per Game: 14.0 (149, 7)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.0 (9, 2)
