Expectations, energy soaring again on Hawk Hill

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Saint Joseph's has put the lean seasons behind it. The Hawks are once again the favorite to win the Atlantic 10.

Indeed there's a buzz building on Hawk Hill over an experienced and talented team that was the preseason favorite to win a revamped Atlantic 10 and appears set to return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2008.

The consecutive 11-win seasons were left behind when Carl Jones, Langston Galloway and C.J Aiken keyed the Hawks' leap from 22 losses in 2010-11 to a 20-14 mark and an NIT berth last season. Under coach Phil Martelli, the Hawks became one of nine teams to win 20 games a year after losing 20.

Martelli, entering his 18th season with 320 career wins, has his best team since Jameer Nelson and Delonte West led the Hawks to a 30-2 mark in 2003-04. Saint Joseph's returns all five starters.