<em>College Basketball: </em> Explorers and Hawks Ready for Big 5 Tilt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It should be a fun night at the Palestra tonight as La Salle University takes on St. Joe's in Big 5 and Atlantic 10 action in a contest postponed from Wednesday night due to weather (see previous story).
The Explorers come into this game fresh off one of their strongest wins of the season, a one-point victory at Rhode Island.
La Salle head coach Dr. John Giannini says he has a lot of respect for these youthful Hawks.
"I think they have talent," he told KYW Newsradio. "I think (sophomore guard) Carl Jones is going to be one of the leading scorers in the A-10 this year. I think (freshman forward) CJ Aiken is going to be one of the leading shot blockers in the country. I think (freshman guard) Langston Galloway could be an A-10 all-rookie team selection. I think (senior forward) Idris Hilliard is a tough veteran player."
Hear the entire John Giannini interview in this CBS Philly SportsPod...
La Salle is 9-11 overall, 1-4 in the Atlantic 10 and 1-1 in the Big 5.
St. Joe's, mired in a six-game losing streak, is 5-14. Hawks head coach Phil Martelli says his team will have to work to snap that streak against a talented La Salle team.
"(Senior forward) Jerrell Williams makes you nervous just because he's so active, he's so involved," Martelli said this week. "(Sophomore center) Aaric Murray is clearly a pro prospect. I love (freshman Tyreek) Duren at the point guard spot," he added.
The Hawks are winless in both the conference (0-5) and the Big 5 (0-2).
St. Joe's beat La Salle last season, 74-59, at Hagan Arena.
Reported by Matt Leon, KYW Newsradio 1060.
