Bentley and Hilliard are the Hawks' only seniors. O'Brien is a junior.
"I think they're going to be real good," Bentley said of the younger players. "As the season has gone along, they've gotten better and better. I give them two years to win the A-10."
Best wishes
Jameer Nelson, the consensus player of the year in 2004 after he led St. Joe's to an undefeated regular season and the NCAA Elite Eight, has followed the misfortunes of the Hawks this season.
A point guard for the Orlando Magic, Nelson celebrated his 29th birthday last week while in town to play against the Sixers. He voiced his support for coach Phil Martelli.
"I know they're not having a good year, and I don't know why," he said. "I wish Coach Martelli the best. I know he's a great guy and a great human being, and he knows how to handle things. He's had far more good years than bad."
Off the bench
C.J. Aiken came off the bench for the third straight game Sunday against Fordham, but Martelli was emphatic it was no demotion for the 6-foot-9 freshman from Plymouth Whitemarsh High. Another freshman, Ron Roberts, has started instead.
"Basically what happened was C.J. couldn't practice because he had an academic responsibility, and I just said, you know what, Ron had eight baskets against Temple, so let's put Ron in there," Martelli said. "But C.J. is still a starter."
Here and there
Langston Galloway is one of three freshmen in the nation averaging at least 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists a game. He is the Hawks' highest-scoring freshman since Nelson averaged 12.5 points a game in 2000-01. . . . Martelli coached his 500th game at St. Joe's Sunday. "I thought all 500 were this year," he said. . . . According to StateSheet.com, the Hawks are the 11th youngest team in the nation, determined by calculating the average class year per minutes played.
Contact staff writer Ray Parrillo at 215-8542743 or rparrillo@phillynews.com.
