2003–04 Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team

2003–04 Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball
NCAA Tournament, Elite Eight
Atlantic 10 Regular Season Champions
Conference Atlantic 10
Ranking
Coaches #5
AP #5
2003–04 record 30–2 (16–0 Atlantic 10)
Head coach Phil Martelli
Assistant coach Mark Bass
Assistant coach Matt Brady
Assistant coach Monté Ross
Home arena Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse

The 2003-2004 Saint Joseph's University Hawks men's basketball team was one of 25 teams to finish the regular season undefeated in men's division I basketball. They were the last to do so until Wichita State did it in 2014. Under coach Phil Martelli, the Hawks held an overall record of 27-0 and a conference record of 16-0 in the regular season before losing to Xavier University in the A-10 tournament and eventually Oklahoma State University in the East-Regional Final of the NCAA Tournament.[1]

Players

Schedule and results

Jameer Nelson led the Hawks during the season, averaging over 20 points per game, and receiving numerous accolades, including the John Wooden Award.
Delonte West, averaged over 18 points per game as a junior.

Asterisk designates NCAA D-1 Tournament game.

Date Opponent Site Score, W/L
11/14 GonzagaH73–66 W
11/25 BostonA 71–56 W
11/29 Old Dominion A 75–72 W
12/2 San Francisco H 84–52 W
12/6 PennsylvaniaA 67–59 W
12/9 Boston College H 67–57 W
12/24 Drexel A 92–70 W
12/20 California A 59–57 W
12/27 Pacific H 73–55 W
12/30 Delaware A 75–54 W
1/3 George Washington H 90–81 W
1/6 Richmond A 71–60 W
1/10 Duquesne A 78-61 W
1/13 Fordham H 79–35 W
1/17 Xavier A 81–73 W
1/21 Massachusetts H 92–67 W
1/24 St. Bonaventure A 114–63 W
1/31 Temple A 83–71 W
2/2 Villanova A 74–67 W
2/7 La Salle H 89-63 W
2/11 Dayton H 81-67 W
2/14 Rhode IslandH 73–59 W
2/18 Fordham A 72-54 W
2/21 Temple H 76–53 W
2/25 MassachusettsA 83–58 W
2/28 Rhode IslandA 57–55 W
3/2 St. Bonaventure H 82–50 W
3/11 Xavier H 87–67 L
3/18 Liberty* N 82–63 W
3/20 Texas Tech*N 70–65 W
3/25 Wake Forest*N 84-80 W
3/27 Oklahoma State*N 64-62 L

[2]

Regular Season

The Hawks dominated the regular season, going 27-0 for the season. In the Atlantic 10 Tournament, the Hawks received a #1 seed, which included a first-round bye. However, they lost badly to the Xavier Musketeers 87-67. Despite their early exit, the Hawks still received a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Hawks also won the Philadelphia Big 5, going 4-0 in the process.

NCAA Tournament

The Hawks received a #1 seed, and defeated Liberty, Texas Tech, and Wake Forest in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounds, respectively. In the Elite 8 match-up against Oklahoma State, the Hawks lost by 2 points. John Lucas III of Oklahoma State hit a go-ahead three with only a few seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Jameer Nelson attempted to tie the game, but his 15 ft. shot fell short.

Accolades

AP College Coach of the Year
Naismith College Coach of the Year
Henry Iba Award
Adolph Rupp Cup
NABC Coach of the Year
Jim Phelan Award
A-10 Conference Coach of the Year
Naismith College Player of the Year
John R. Wooden Award
Oscar Robertson Trophy
Adolph Rupp Trophy
NABC Player of the Year
AP College Player of the Year
Sporting News Men's College Basketball Player of the Year
Robert V. Geasey Trophy
2004 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
Bob Cousy Award
Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
Lowe's Senior Class Award
A-10 Player of the Year

Notes

Draft list

References