Winning home games is a must for anyone this time of year, and any hopes for Saint Joseph’s NCAA Tournament bubble chances would be out the window without holding serve on their own court.
That’s why their 79-70 win over Dayton on Wednesday night was absolutely crucial for their future for the rest of the month and heading into March. Not only did it give the Hawks a signature win for their resume, but it positively took them off of the bubble and put them squarely into the field of 68, something none of us thought we’d be saying just over a month ago.
Mid-major teams rack up gaudy records every single season, but there are few who turn that into something truly special as the season comes to a close. The question now, is whether or not Saint Joseph’s NCAA Tournament bubble relief will lead them to a seed line that gives them a chance of making a run in the tournament itself.
As of Thursday morning, most projections had the Hawks playing in a 8/9 game, with a few putting them in the 7/10 range. While both signaling a level of comfort in terms of Selection Sunday, matching up against a one or two seed in the second round isn’t exactly the easiest path to Cinderella glory.
Led by Isaiah Miles and DeAndre Bembry, the Hawks now sit in a three-way tie atop the Atlantic 10 standings. With road trips left to Davidson, UMASS, and St. Bonaventure, they’re in a prime position to walk away with the regular season title. While it won’t mean anything come tournament time, there’s no denying this group as a possible bracket buster.
