“Anytime, Anywhere.” That is how the St. Joe’s men’s basketball team approached the 2020-21 covid-19 shortened season, facing three top-10 opponents in what was the hardest non-conference schedule the team has seen in some time.
This season, St. Joe’s has gone back to a more traditional non-conference schedule. In part two of this four-part series, we wrap up the review of the non-conference slate.
Dec. 1 vs. Binghamton
(@ Hagan Arena)
Binghamton University has not had a winning season since 2008-09. They fired their head coach Tommy Dempsey, and will be conducting a search for a new permanent head coach after this current season. The Hawks will get back on track after this one.
Projected St. Joe’s Record: 5-2
Dec. 4 vs. Villanova
(@ Villanova)
St. Joe’s plays three straight Big 5 games to get December started. Collin Gillespie returns to Villanova University in what feels like his eighth college season. He will cause problems for the Hawks as he has throughout his career. This will be tough sledding, but I believe the two teams are much closer this year than they have been.
Projected St. Joe’s Record: 5-3
Dec. 8 vs. Penn
(@ Hagan Arena)
As for the University of Pennsylvania, the Quakers are a complete wild card. They did not play last season, but they can be placed as a favorite within the Ivy League. Jordan Dingle, Lucas Monroe and Jonah Charles are all very capable guards. They are also bringing back Max Lorca-Lloyd and Michael Wang in the front court.
Projected St. Joe’s Record: 5-4
Dec. 11 vs. Temple
(@ Hagan Arena)
Temple seems to be getting ready to turn a corner under Aaron McKie, bringing back guards Jeremiah Williams and Damian Dunn. The Owls are poised to compete. Whether it will be at a tournament level is yet to be seen. Their x-factor has to be junior forward Jake Forrester and whether he can stay out of foul trouble. I’ll say the Hawks go 1-2 in this stretch, but it is the Big 5; anything can happen.
Projected St. Joe’s Record: 6-4
Dec. 18 vs. Bradley (@ Bradley)
After two really good seasons, Bradley University took a significant step back last season, finishing 12-16. They currently look like they will have similar struggles this season, but they do return with Missouri Valley Conference all-first year team forward Rienk Mast. Mast will pose an interesting and challenging matchup for Hawks forwards Ejike Obinna and Charles Coleman, but I think the Hawks can fight their way to a win against the Braves.
Projected St. Joe’s Record: 7-4
Dec. 22 vs. Holy Cross
(@ Hagan Arena)
The Crusaders lost two of their three leading scorers last season in Matt Faw and Austin Butler. The Hawks should be able to take care of business in their non-conference finale, although this game sets up as a trap. I think this is a different team than years past, and the Hawks will get past this trap easily.
Projected St. Joe’s Record: 8-4
