By PAUL GOTHAM
“The Eiffel Tower and Taj Mahal are mine to see on clearer days.”
If this week is any indication of things to come, Phil Martelli‘s Saint Joseph’s Hawks (9-2) will have a say when it comes times to deciding the Atlantic 10 crown. Isaiah Miles turned in his fourth double-double of the season as Saint Joseph’s convincingly defeated Virginia Tech, 79-62 at the Barclays Center, Tuesday. Miles netted 19 of his career-high 36 in the second half as the Hawks, which led by nine coming out of the locker room, won their fifth straight. The senior forward connected on six-of-nine from the floor in the second stanza including all three of his attempts behind the arc as well as grabbing eight rebounds and blocking two shots. All the while without committing a turnover. Miles registered just one double-double in his previous three seasons with the Hawks. Averaging 17.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, he leads the Hawks in both categories and has topped double figures in points in all 11 contests.
When less is more
The Hawks leading scorer from last year is averaging less, but…Saint Joseph’s averaged 62 points per game last year. Through their first 11 this season, the Hawks have tallied 74. Last year’s leading scorer, DeAndre Bembry (17.7 ppg), contributes 16.5 this year. While his 3-point shooting percentage is down from 32.7 percent (50-of-153) last year to 24.4 percent (18-of-48) this season. The first team All A-10 performer has improved his overall shooting from 43.2 percent (199-of-461) to 45.5 percent (66-of-145) currently. So far, Miles has helped to take the pressure of Bembry. Something that Martelli noted as a need last year. Bembry’s assist numbers are up (3.6 per game last year to 4.3) and his turnovers are down (2.9 to 2.2 – a more significant decrease than it appears when considering how many touches Bembry gets). The Hawks had just three players scoring nine points or more per game last year with Aaron Brown netting 9.3. That number has increased to four – Brown has 9.9. James Demery adds nine. With more threats on the floor forcing the defense to stretch, it is just a matter of time before Bembry’s long-range numbers increase. And then there is this:
SJU scored 70+ for the eight time this season. Hit 70%+ from line for the ninth. Both happened six times ALL of last yr. #Perspective
— Matt Martucci (@Tooch975) December 23, 2015
Adjusting to the shot clock
Per BBState.com, the Hawks scored .92 points over 65.7 possessions per game last year. This year, Martelli’s club is scoring 1.02 over 71.7 possessions per contest. The Hawks are 25th in the nation committing just 10.4 turnovers per game. Opponents connect 28.5 percent of the time from behind the arc against Saint Joseph’s – that number puts the Hawks at 16th in the nation.
People try to put us down
So you want to talk about the Villanova game. Naysayers will point to Saint Joseph’s most recent loss at Hagan Arena to Big 5 rival and then No.8 Villanova, 86-72 – a game in which the Wildcats led by 10 at half and stretched the lead eventually to 15. Fair enough. Keep in mind Villanova whacked the Hawks by 30 (98-68) two years when Saint Joseph’s eventually won the A-10 title.
Around the A-10
Play fast; don’t hurry
No team follows these words of the late John Wooden better than the Davidson Wildcats. Davidson’s nine turnovers per game ranks second in the nation with a turnover rate of 12.6. Of the top ten in this category, no other team plays at a faster rate than the Wildcats’ 75.9 possessions per game (51st in the country – Davidson was also top ten in this category until their most recent contest against Morehead State when they had 71 possessions). Will be interesting to see which force succeeds in conference play. Two A-10 teams (VCU and Fordham) rank in the top ten for turnovers forced. VCU, under first-year coach Will Wade cause 17.6 mishandles per game. Fordham, under first-year coach Jeff Neubauer, creates 16.6 mistakes by opponents per contest. St. Bonaventure is 25th forcing 14.8 turnovers per game.
Free is free
Speaking of St. Bonaventure, the Bonnies rank fifth in the nation hitting 78.5 percent as a team from the charity stripe. George Washington is 10th knocking down 77.3 percent.
Being stingy
Dayton’s Flyers rank 19th in the country limiting opponents to 41.1 percent on shots inside the arc. Behind the arc is another story for Archie Miller‘s Flyers who are 311th in the country allowing 38.8 percent from long range. Fordham is not only forcing a lot of turnovers, Jeff Neubauer’s club leads the A-10 and is third in the country limiting opposing shooters to 26.1 percent behind the arc.
Speaking of the Flyers
Here are scenes from UD’s win over Miami (OH). Courtesy of Dayton Athletics.
Mother Theresa’s generosity
Fordham leads the conference and is 20th in the nation handing out 18.3 assists per game. The Rams’ 65 percent of assisted baskets is 15th in the country.
Finding balance
Jim Ferry’s Duquesne Dukes rank second in the conference behind Richmond and 25th in the nation with an overall field-goal percentage of 48.8 percent. The Dukes hit 56.1 percent (20th in the country) inside the arc. At the same time, Duquesne is second in the conference and 19th in the country limiting opponents to 41.2 percent on shots inside the arc.
Looking ahead
Thirteen total games exist before conference play starts on January 2nd. Games of note: Davidson at California (12/28), Duquesne at Georgia Tech (12/29), Saint Louis at Kansas State (12/29), Richmond at Texas Tech (12/29) and Arkansas at Dayton (12/30).
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