Creighton’s loss at Nebraska last Sunday was the Bluejays’ third in a row, marking just the fourth time since 2000-2001 that the Jays have dropped three in a row. The last time Creighton lost four in a row? The 1999-2000 season, when the Bluejays went on to the NCAA Tournament.
I’m not suggesting that Creighton is going to lose Saturday against St. Joseph’s. And I’m not suggesting that if they do, they’ll magically make the Big Dance. But let’s be honest: the Bluejays need some positive momentum, something to carry into the start of Gregory Echenique’s career, which begins a week from Saturday.
A win over the Hawks won’t be easy. St. Joe’s is looking to stop a four-game skid, so they face a similar level of urgency as the Bluejays. To learn a little more about St. Joe’s we turn to ESPN’s Bracketologist, Joe Lunardi.
Joe Lunardi, you say? Known for his expert predictions of the NCAA Tournament field, Lunardi’s Some may not know that Lunardi is the vice president of communications marketing at St. Joseph’s University and does color commentary on the radio broadcasts. He is very familiar with the Hawks. Lunardi will be in Omaha on Saturday evening giving his insight on WTNP 990 AM in Philadelphia. Here is what he had to say about the Hawks.
White & Blue Review: Although St. Joseph’s got into the NCAA Tournament in 2008, what has kept them from really building on the success they had in 2004 with their perfect regular season and a #1 seed in the Tournament?
Joe Lunardi: Last season (11-20) was really the only “down” year for the program and the school’s first losing record in a decade. The period since 2004, in addition to the one NCAA bid, has produced three Atlantic 10 championship games, two A-10 players of the year, an N.I.T. championship game, plus a new arena and state-of-the-art basketball center. And the current freshmen comprise the highest-rated recruiting class in school history. Building on 2004 has taken longer than expected, but the wait is just about over.
WBR: What kind of expectations are there for the Hawks this season? Are they exceeding those expectations?
JL: Starting three freshmen and playing five regularly, this is a true rebuilding season. Given the difficult non-conference schedule and the overall strength of the Atlantic 10, returning to .500 would be a great accomplishment.
WBR: It was recently announced that St. Joseph’s President, Father Timothy Lannon, will be taking over as President at Creighton University in July of 2011. What kinds of reactions did the St. Joseph’s community have on that announcement?
JL: Father Lannon has been a spectacular president for Saint Joseph’s University. However, no one begrudges his desire to return to his roots. Nothing lasts forever!
WBR: Father Lannon has appeared to be the key to getting St. Joseph’s and Creighton to play these recent basketball series together. What kind of relationships do the two schools have?
JL: The original series (07-08 and 08-09) was initiated by Saint Joseph’s, but not difficult to finalize. Coach [Phil] Martelli called Dana Altman and the agreement was set in one conversation. I know SJU would be happy to continue the series beyond next year, if only because we look regularly for Jesuit opponents as part of the non-conference schedule.
WBR: Carl Jones has appeared to be the most consistent player, now scoring in double figures for 11 straight games after the loss to Minnesota on Wednesday night. In addition to Jones, who do the Bluejays need to be aware of on Saturday night?
JL: Langston Galloway plays well beyond his years as a freshman, although, like many first-year players, he has sometimes struggled away from home. In the frontcourt, C.J. Aiken can literally change the game as a shot-blocker (7 in one game at Villanova). The problem with C.J. is a lack of bulk, as you’ll see that a stiff Nebraska wind can pretty much blow him over! The SJU staff has him on a steady diet of Philly cheesesteaks.
WBR: Does head coach Phil Martelli feel any pressure in his position, or do the boosters and fans have patience for what he has done for the Hawks?
JL: Last season was a low point, as years of high-level talent had pretty much dried up and a series of misses in recruiting left Saint Joseph’s without competitive Atlantic 10 players. Coach Martelli has acknowledged this and the University has provided additional resources in terms of facilities and staff. The dividends are already paying off with the current recruits and the fan base is excited to see this group develop. Most know that Phil has never failed to win when the talent is in place.
WBR: Can you tell us more about the SJU Hawk and why it is such an integral part to the basketball team? The bird never seems to stop flapping, even for the National Anthem.
JL: “The Hawk” has been part of Saint Joseph’s and Philadelphia basketball since the inception of the Big 5 in 1956. Following the school motto, “The Hawk Will Never Die,” the mascot is required to flap from the moment the team comes onto the floor until the final buzzer (including halftime, overtimes, etc.). The individual in the suit is treated as a member of the team and is on a fully endowed scholarship while holding the position. It’s a very competitive process and one of the highest honors a Saint Joseph’s student can receive. ESPN once estimated during a telecast that the Hawk flaps upwards of 3,500 times in a normal contest.
WBR: With all the conference expansion and conference changes occurring recently, basketball does not appear to be the primary reason for these conference changes. Will this lead to some conference separation of basketball schools like Creighton and St. Joseph’s to form new leagues? I could really go for a league that includes Creighton, St. Joseph’s, Xavier, DePaul, Gonzaga and Villanova. What are your thoughts?
JL: Football drives the bus in intercollegiate athletics. We’ll likely see many more changes in the years to come, and the notion of a Catholic-type conference has a lot of support. But, if it happens, the opportunity will have arisen from football decisions made elsewhere. If football’s big boys had their way, the Creighton’s and Saint Joseph’s of the world would be in a separate division altogether.
WBR: We love the Qwest Center here in Omaha and fans come out in droves for the games. Creighton has been in the top 15 for the past several years now in attendance. What keeps schools or even ESPN from setting up a marquee game against Creighton at the Qwest Center, or even a neutral site game for other teams? Some would like to say we are as good of a game as the Gonzagas of the world, so why is Creighton so different?
JL: So-called “name” teams have an aversion to losing, so they’re not beating a path to Omaha. Creighton has to be willing to go on the road even more than it does to get more of those “name” schools to return the game. Even then, coaches at our level will tell you that non-conference scheduling is one of the worst (and most unfair) parts of the job.
WBR: What are your final predictions for the game on Saturday night?
JL: I see a close, entertaining contest with Creighton winning on the order of 70-65.
