Saint Joseph’s (SJU) 66-61 win over the Richmond Spiders is exactly what we love about March basketball, a #1 seed upset! But one question lingers, was this the Hawks best win of the season to date? Was it the best win of Billy Lange’s tenure at Saint Joe’s? Well, premier Saint Joe’s writer and fellow podcaster, HawkHillHardwood, thinks there is a case for it.

The Best Win in the Lange Gang Era?

If I had to make the argument, it would go like this. First, Saint Joe’s had a rough start to this game. At one point falling down 2-10. The team looked disjointed and the wheels could have easily fallen off  at that point. A situation where the gap goes from eight to fifteen, or even twenty points, at the blink of an eye. Heck, the team was 1-18 if you took away Erik Reynold’s points. If they didn’t collect and compose themselves Richmond could easily blown the roof off. Luckily, SJU quickly closed the gap to two points at the end of the half.

Second, Saint Joe’s was an underdog who was able to beat a #1 seed. It was only last week that Saint Joe’s struggled to keep up with the Richmond Spiders. One week later, we are making a comeback and dictating play against the very same team. All during the A10 tournament, when the lights are brightest, and wins and losses matter that much more. 

Finally, they closed so well. A team that has struggled to mentally stay in games. A team that so easily lets leads slip. This time, they not only closed once against George Mason, but twice in two days with this Richmond win. If I am being honest, it’s a compelling argument to say this win is at the top.

The Most Exciting and Unexpected

However, I think I would phrase this as Saint Joe’s most exciting and unexpected game of the season, and of Coach Lange’s career. But, the win against Villanova is still my top win so far. The losing streak to the Wildcats goes back much longer than our A10 championship drought. It’s a long standing rivalry, and that alone brings so much weight to what happened earlier this season. It’s also the game I constantly refer back to as the guiding post. The evidence of what could be. It set that standard for our expectations and I still have it up there as number one.

As mentioned, I give this win the title of most exciting and unexpected. For all the reasons I listed above defending HawkHillHardwood’s position. In a season where we have folded in big games. A season where we saw what was possible but had it quickly taken away by bad losses. Games with big first halves and bigger second half collapses. For once, it all disappeared from our minds. Even the Mason game yesterday had hints of a potential melt down. But today was the inverse of that. That’s what makes it that much more delicious. 

Consistency, Consistency, Consistency

Thank you Erik Reynolds II for being a baller. For not quitting on the season, and holding out to the very end to bring back the play we all missed. That was a signature Erik Reynolds II performance. That is why we think he’s NBA material. Thank you Fleming for being a rebounding and defensive machine. Boy, where would we be without that critical offensive rebound to end the game?

I know I just gave two specific shout outs, but the entire team put in a great performance. I think we can all agree Hawks fans appreciate what they just did. 

So, that’s where I put this win. A wild ride and a delightful surprise. If you disagree with me that’s fine, because there is a good chance that we may see Billy Lange’s best career game this season. There is a lot of basketball left to be played and I have a feeling there are going to be a few more articles to write in the next two days…

https://www.a10talk.com/2024/03/opinion-was-saint-joes-upset-over-richmond-the-best-win-in-the-billy-lange-era/

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Recap of Season

The Saint Joseph’s Hawks finished the 2023-24 regular season with their best record in years. The Hawks were able to clinch a 19-12 overall record and 9-9 conference record, placing them 7th overall in the Atlantic 10. This is the first time in the Coach Billy Lange era that the team was above .500 and didn’t finish in the bottom quarter of the league. Which, yes you heard right, no more pillow fight for the Hawks! Feels weird not to see them play on a Tuesday! 

To say the season was full of ‘ups and downs’ would be an understatement. This team has had their highs and their lows. But, if you told fans at the start of the season that the Hawks would finish above .500 overall, and 7th in the conference, they would admit that there was  real improvement from last year. It’s always good to put this in context, especially for a team that has had some great flashes on the court. However, consistency was not their friend. 

With that said, Saint Joe’s has a chance to make waves in this conference tournament. Do I expect them to win the entire thing? Probably not. Would I be surprised if they go on a three game win streak and make waves, definitely not. However, it’s now win or go home. Let’s look take at the first matchup, George Mason. 

Keys to Success

This will be the second time this season that Saint Joe’s and George Mason face off. The last game was on January 31st and was hosted at Hagan arena. Saint Joe’s won that game 75-73 in what was a thrilling matchup, which helped to snap SJU’s home losing streak to the Patriots. 

George Mason’s Keyshawn Hall will be top of mind for Saint Joe’s. Hall leads the Atlantic 10 in defensive rebounds and total rebounds per game. For context, Hall averages around 8.4 rebounds per game. He is also the Patriots top sorcerer, leading with 17 points a game. In January’s game against Saint Joe’s he finished with 19 points and 8 rebounds.  

On the other end, Saint Joe’s will be looking to their big men to help guard the paint. Rasheer Fleming leads in the A10 in total offense rebounds, so look for him and Hall to battle for loose balls. Freshman Christ Essandoko and Junior Kacper Klaszek will also be key. Saint Joe’s is a strong team when they have three forwards who can rotate through the lineup. Especially if foul troubles come into play, which has been the case especially with Fleming. 

Of course, it would be foolish not to mention that the leaders of this team, the guards, are what will make or break Saint Joe’s. The scoring campaign starts and ends with Erik Reynolds II who was awarded first team all A10. Reynolds, Lynn Greer III and Xzayvier Brown (A10 rookie of the year btw) dictate the pace and style of play. Billy Lange needs at least two of those three to come out hot and help drive the offense. If that happens, the previously mentioned Forwards, and senior Cam Brown, will do their part to help close the game out. But, that can’t happen if the leading three aren’t at their best making the decisions when taking the ball down the court. 

Final Thoughts

Saint Joe’s has a tough matchup to start this tournament. George Mason will in no means be an easy team to beat. But, if you asked me to give a prediction, I have to say that I think Saint Joe’s will beat the Patriots and make a significant run in the tournament, like they did last year. I don’t think they will win the entire thing, but there is a world in which I see them beat Mason and Richmond. Would I put money on it? No. But, the pieces are there to get it done. 

As I said, guard play is going to be key. Inconsistency has plagued this team. But when those three guards are active and engaged they are impossible to beat. And that’s just if they are making the right plays on offense. At their best, they disrupt passing lanes and generate easy fast breaks. That’s when the team is dangerous, but that can only happen if those guys want to make it happen. Defense is a mind set, they need to hit the ground running and weather any storms of adversity. 

There are few starting fives as well rounded as this team. Saint Joe’s can be the team we saw beat Villanova and give Kentucky headaches. The question is, do they want to be that team this week?

Saint Joe’s v. Mason will tip off at 11:30 am EST and will air on USA Network.

https://www.a10talk.com/2024/03/saint-joes-atlantic-10-tournament-preview-can-they-catch-lightning-in-a-bottle/

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