Monday, November 12th, 9:30 p.m. (et)

GAME NOTES: The Saint Joseph's Hawks and the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights begin their seasons tonight, as they collide in the first round of the NIT Season Tip-Off at the Carrier Dome. The survivor of this game will move on to face either Syracuse or Siena in the winners bracket on Tuesday. Under head coach Phil Martelli, the Hawks went a decent 18-14 last season and that includes an appearance in the Atlantic 10 Tournament quarterfinals. Four starters are welcomed back from last year's club, so expected SJU to compete for their first 20-win campaign since 2004-05. Getting off on the right foot has been something the Hawks have excelled at, winning four of their past five season openers. As for FDU, it didn't have the type of season it had hoped for in 2006-07, slipping to just a 14-16 finish. Only two starters return from that club, so don't expect the Knights to improve dramatically this season. FDU and SJU have met just one time previously on the hardwood, a 78-74 triumph by the Hawks in 1998.

FDU lost two of its top three scorers from a year ago, but the return of Cameron Tyler gives the teams a legitimate producer. The 6-0 guard is one of the most versatile players around and he displayed that by averaging 14.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg and a team-high 5.1 apg a year ago. Manny Ubilla will accompany Tyler in the backcourt and the 6-2 guard showed he can score (11.9 ppg) as well as rebound (4.3 rpg) last season. Eric Hazard, at 6-6, can play a few different positions and he is looking to earn a starting spot after posing 5.3 ppg in a reserve role in 2006-07. John Galvin, a 6-8 freshman forward, is talented and due to the lack of an inside presence he will jump right into a starting role in the frontcourt.

The Hawks' strength resides in the frontcourt, where Ahmad Nivins, Pat Calathes and Rob Ferguson all return to their starting positions. The 6-9 Nivins not only gives the team an inside presence, but the center is also a good scorer (16.6 ppg) and great rebounder (7.6 rpg). Calathes is a versatile performer and the 6-10 forward averaged 13.9 ppg and 7.1 rpg a year ago. As for the 6-8 Ferguson, he is often overshadowed by Nivins and Calathes, but he can hold his own, posting 11.3 ppg and 5.3 rpg in 2006-07. The backcourt for SJU lacks a big time playmaker, but the team is hoping Iowa State transfer Tasheed Carr can fill that role. Sophomores Garrett Williamson (5.1 ppg) and Darrin Govens (7.3 ppg) will also get their share of playing time along the perimeter.

SJU is clearly the pick here and with a dominating performance from its frontcourt, it should come out victorious in this one.

Predicted Outcome

Saint Joseph's 70, Fairleigh Dickinson 53