Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL TO TAKE ON #2 SAINT JOSEPH's ON SATURDAY
2.20.04 | Men's Basketball
Hall of Fame head coach John Chaney owns more wins against Saint Joseph's (35) than against any other city rival. He also has had incredible success in the month of February, boasting a 145-48 overall record (.751) and an even more imposing 19-2 mark the last three seasons. Chaney's squad will look to extend its unbeaten streak to six games when it takes the floor Saturday afternoon.
Senior All-America candidate David Hawkins leads the Atlantic 10 Conference and ranks third in the nation in scoring with a 24.4 average. The "Hawk" was named to the NABC all-District 3 first team along with the Saint Joseph's backcourt tandem of Jameer Nelson and Delonte West. Sophomore Mardy Collins, who tallied a career-high 26 points in Wednesday's 83-65 win over Duquesne, gives the Owls a formidable backcourt as well. Collins upped his average to 15.0 points per game, and has hit double figures in the past 11 contests.
Nelson, arguably the National Player of the Year, leads the high-powered Hawk attack. The 5-11 playmaker averages 20.1 points, 5.4 assists and 3.3 steals per game. West follows closely behind, averaging 18.9 points, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals.
Phil Martelli's squad is one of two unbeaten teams in the country (Stanford is the other) and is looking to become the first team since 1991 to post a perfect regular season.
