Saint Joseph’s (SJU) 66-61 win over the Richmond Spiders is exactly what we love about March basketball, a #1 seed upset! But one question lingers, was this the Hawks best win of the season to date? Was it the best win of Billy Lange’s tenure at Saint Joe’s? Well, premier Saint Joe’s writer and fellow podcaster, HawkHillHardwood, thinks there is a case for it. 
The Best Win in the Lange Gang Era?
If I had to make the argument, it would go like this. First, Saint Joe’s had a rough start to this game. At one point falling down 2-10. The team looked disjointed and the wheels could have easily fallen off at that point. A situation where the gap goes from eight to fifteen, or even twenty points, at the blink of an eye. Heck, the team was 1-18 if you took away Erik Reynold’s points. If they didn’t collect and compose themselves Richmond could easily blown the roof off. Luckily, SJU quickly closed the gap to two points at the end of the half.
Second, Saint Joe’s was an underdog who was able to beat a #1 seed. It was only last week that Saint Joe’s struggled to keep up with the Richmond Spiders. One week later, we are making a comeback and dictating play against the very same team. All during the A10 tournament, when the lights are brightest, and wins and losses matter that much more.
Finally, they closed so well. A team that has struggled to mentally stay in games. A team that so easily lets leads slip. This time, they not only closed once against George Mason, but twice in two days with this Richmond win. If I am being honest, it’s a compelling argument to say this win is at the top.
The Most Exciting and Unexpected
However, I think I would phrase this as Saint Joe’s most exciting and unexpected game of the season, and of Coach Lange’s career. But, the win against Villanova is still my top win so far. The losing streak to the Wildcats goes back much longer than our A10 championship drought. It’s a long standing rivalry, and that alone brings so much weight to what happened earlier this season. It’s also the game I constantly refer back to as the guiding post. The evidence of what could be. It set that standard for our expectations and I still have it up there as number one.
As mentioned, I give this win the title of most exciting and unexpected. For all the reasons I listed above defending HawkHillHardwood’s position. In a season where we have folded in big games. A season where we saw what was possible but had it quickly taken away by bad losses. Games with big first halves and bigger second half collapses. For once, it all disappeared from our minds. Even the Mason game yesterday had hints of a potential melt down. But today was the inverse of that. That’s what makes it that much more delicious.
Consistency, Consistency, Consistency
Thank you Erik Reynolds II for being a baller. For not quitting on the season, and holding out to the very end to bring back the play we all missed. That was a signature Erik Reynolds II performance. That is why we think he’s NBA material. Thank you Fleming for being a rebounding and defensive machine. Boy, where would we be without that critical offensive rebound to end the game?
I know I just gave two specific shout outs, but the entire team put in a great performance. I think we can all agree Hawks fans appreciate what they just did.
So, that’s where I put this win. A wild ride and a delightful surprise. If you disagree with me that’s fine, because there is a good chance that we may see Billy Lange’s best career game this season. There is a lot of basketball left to be played and I have a feeling there are going to be a few more articles to write in the next two days…
