Phil Martelli, St. Joe's Bball Coach

Head basketball coach at saint Joe's -- Mark -- Coach it's -- Michael in Boston how -- Don't terrific are you don't. Well we can't wait to get this thing started this got to be a great time a year for anybody who's associated with the game.

I would only corrected those of us are not participating. A little bit of agony and when you're used to participating like we are here and that there's a little hurt that -- involved in. Instead of being in front of our TV's a lot of -- to be on the road on planes trying to recruit so we we ought to do this again.

If they'll ever for a couple ago he made a very passionate defense for some of that schools that your league saying that definitely the AT and deserve to have three. He did there one automatic -- two at large getting get three Eddie got into -- about the committee's. Selection of the field.

did get their chance was very daunting and I would venture a guess that if you Matt -- gotten past their first game had they been able to get past their first game. In the 810 tournament. And then I would agree correct I think we would have gotten GW as our champion and and you match and Xavier as at large -- so I was certainly I'm delighted for GW delighted for. Where Xavier umass got it went in the IP so things -- well pretty Atlantic and so far. Well I think it's important is that the committee was facing a daunting task -- obviously in Philadelphia there's been a lot of banking -- and rattling -- so to speak. Because the Drexel situation. And not actually Syracuse throw them in the next but back committee has as much information as any group of people could have. And I think that what they've done again is they've created a buzz about college basketball. And that's a good thing for all of us.

tell you know everybody's doing their racquets for recreational purposes only of course.

That's the only reason I would get Bob an even a conversation.

That's right that's right well I -- help us now with some of the first round games you very thoroughly familiar with eight 116 game George Washington from your league versus Vanderbilt you see that match up playing now.

What I have been saying about that game is that. You haven't -- GW completely unique styles and I don't know that obviously playing in the SEC. -- got us an awful lot differently great when they beat Florida. But I did have faith in the system talk about a GWQ nick there was an error having won eight straight and kind of cruising. Through the Atlantic ten tournament forcing or 20 turnovers game I have not seen a lot of -- on it is the disciple of the North Carolina system -- I think GW -- too many athletes' academic advancing even other lower seed.

And how about Xavier versus BYU another great game and the flight.

I think that they've loaded this -- and wondered if things happen that you want to talk about. We Xavier is three senior starters which is not usual college basketball to these kids Justin cage just involvement played. And started in the elite eight came -- Jeter walked -- three years ago when they were freshman. I also think that the team standing and facing them on Saturday would be. Ohio State and fat -- leaving Xavier I think that. BYU is terrific there an older team. They really quite terrific offense at a great home record but again are -- homer -- for Xavier backing.

The any ancient sun of course place for BYU is a senior on that team and I'm sure at least in the -- household he's going to root against him out one.

that's all right I mean that's that's what is that the beauty of the tournament. Picking go somewhere maybe haven't adult beverage and a person next you can be rooting as hard for his team you are for yours.

who'd you have in your final four.

While I type feels strongly about Florida and Candace. Although I would caution everybody in the country all your listeners watch out for that Niagara team. Niagara versus Kansas tomorrow night 710 in Chicago. Niagara that this is a little known fact are about to give you guys Niagara has the finest young assistant coach in embark on their bench.

What what is it lasting Mark Kelly yeah.

That right there -- the an Apple Mark for Niagara don't think it's gonna happen but. That that not they would not be better prepared right now how hard he's worked on at eight but I have Candace and the final four with Florida. On the other side I have taxes because I beat Kevin Durant. Is one of the really really great college players of all time. -- just agree. Player of all time in the year that these and I like Memphis because of what. I think -- Perry had prepared this team since last year losing in the elite eight I think it is all he has to prepare himself for.

What do you think about his conference in general.

Well I don't know enough about them but. Why somebody in the Philadelphia. Market ask me that question last night here's what I think that John has done I think John has prepared his team. For a final four run I don't think it matters that I don't think they were competing all year against conference USA I think they were competing against the game of basketball. And the level that they could reach. And I think they've reached I. They will not be. Unprepared as they go forward and torment as an opportunity see. You have to think to their first two games are going to be compare what conference USA games and I -- the second weekend.

For -- take a couple -- I hear you just said that. You think Kevin Durant is one of the great players in college basketball all tired not just elaborate on that in and the thing. Who'd you compare him to let let let -- tournament a group of of three or four for you.

Well in my mind. Don't back him back be even before this influx -- so much television I think that the greatest college player of all times keep marriage. And had to have been television back then. He would be we would be comparing every college player to him the way that we cut we now compare all pro players the Michael Jordan. To me I think the ramseys and is on par -- Larry Bird I think he's done for 830 game season what Carmelo Anthony differs 16 seasons for Syracuse. I think you're talking about young guy it was going going to the end BI. And it two and three years he's gonna it's gonna be the rant LeBron and Dwyane Wade Kobe that's the level that this kid is going to -- the year is. Astounding in that lake. With the bodies that you play against in that league at 18 or 19 years of age average to point that he's averaged and and do it every night. The teams coming catcher and to grow from situations he played gone on here Philadelphia. And they paled -- him physically. And he bounced back like on big Monday have to do -- charity gets 37 I think that he's going to throw this team on his back and take the final four.

Sounds like if you weren't NBA general manager you have the number one pick in the draft you -- Assuming they both come out you take Kevin Durant over --

I would I what I I think Dick Greg Odom is one of those guys that's going to be an MBA all star I think that the rant is an MBA all star I think he's an MBA all star masquerading for the college game right now. And -- to meet past would be brushed off polished you know the diamond there has to be off. I think the rank comes into an MBA situation and he plays immediately you don't know any teams in the NBA I don't need a player did.

Now now we are not at all erratically I like because that Eddie felt we got six world championship banners that bear a -- Japanese should do it every night.

I'm a lot of -- that's always the right. I really wasn't you know I did -- follow -- Delonte West that would ensure -- sonics are doing this year.

That's okay I think saint Joe's had a better year. But that that there's a lot -- not gotten an NC AA bid leader this year so lot.

keep the -- the sixers won seven straight.

Well -- me ask you one thing now because of the way the NBA change the collective bargaining agreement Greg golden Kevin Durant were forced into -- year of college basketball that they likely would not have at. In past situations is that a good thing for the college game beat you at least got to see them for a year.

Well I think it's a good thing but to be honest with you that the the play was I wash it was it an attempt for people to say we'll see. See -- college game in a pro game they're working together and -- the -- out to be what we're really should be talked about as a pro a baseball -- If you're good enough and they say you're good enough and you come out high school that's fine if not -- school for three years. Because I -- think that we wanted to things that happens it is and we minimize the socialization it goes into. College the college experience -- a lot of god and that's Celtic teams that are that came delay 1819 years of age somebody gives them a room full of money. And they give them our clock it's almost rate of other then you know an hour and a half today the rest of the time you're trying to point you're you're kind of growing up. In front of everybody dies with all of this money in all the temptations so to me -- it was a stat. -- perhaps that Biaggi did it in the right direction and I don't know that we will get a chance to revisit it. But certainly having to ring collagen and haven't -- and in college in there's going to be. Five or six other freshmen who come out. And going the first round it and that's help the college game I mean just I really mean I am flabbergasted about the year that the -- has.

you had kids leave early have happily after a year but -- dark Delonte West left school early. What do you tell kids when they come -- you what they say I think -- about going to the NBA you have a scripted speech formerly just listen to the situation -- case by case.

While I think it's important whether it be a parent teacher on campus an adviser on campus or coach. I think any time the young person in his case let's say Delonte is going to make. What could be a life altering decision. I think the only thing he can do is information information information. So I've been faced with the situation four times in each one of the cases I sit them. But gather as much information as possible I would never ever tell you what to do. But the experts the people that are involved in that world and that in and professional basketball they're going to tell you they're going to tell tell you. And I'm going to cavity information number pass a law if you think. That you would like my opinion argued in my opinion at the end of the process but for now I just want to be a conduit I just want to collect information and -- it to you in your family. And -- you make as long as they make an informed decision. And not really an emotional decision at all comfortable saying it's the right thing for that person at that time.

The -- back to Delonte West. You think he made the right decision.

Well what he did what he bet on himself the heat the information that I had did not indicate that he was a sure shot. First -- And I collected from the number of teams but it worked out went from the NBA office and I gathered everything and I presented it to Delonte. The look at -- guy told me that. He was willing to go into any sized -- and make -- put any number of candidates in that room and he was going to fight his way out of that room. To make the MBA is living. And it did that today that he told me he was going to stand a draft. I said and I think it's likely that you are second round pick. And you're gonna have to be strike scrapping and fighting but I believe in you joke and that reason I thought it was the right decision at that time. The fact that he became a first round back. And as the these kind of got longer and bought indicated to me. That they were -- that they were really serious about him in the first round as was Indiana at that time. It turned out to be he'd -- on himself and he won the --

Coach Bobby Knight said yesterday he thinks they should cut the NC AA field in half back the 32 the way it used to be just take the top 32 teams in the country. I'm assuming from the perspective of a coach whose team is on the outside looking in you don't agree with that right now.

So that was the reason that I can drive into Philadelphia and all the coaches -- fill up -- up on route somewhere with the I didn't hear of that yeah. You know. Not seriously -- you guys think that debt everybody does talk radio and people talk about how to best on TV should everybody give captain salary about night yes. He's certainly injuries I've never thought about that I don't think about tournament is. There are so many good teams. It's just gotten to the point where.

It is a national bank. It's the Super Bowl it you know in the world the World Cup soccer match is a big deal when you say march madness I don't think that there is. From a basketball fanatic to a casual fan. Who used to guys -- earlier in the conversation they're geniuses are -- where an hour away from from tipping off what has become one of the biggest events in this country. And I. I I just wonder why we're always tinkering with things. We may have this one right let's leave it the way it is.

You know what I think it's actually going to happen coached is that going to increase the field I think what you're going to end up with is they play in game each of the four. Regions.

I -- I I think that that. If there's going to be tinkering is gonna be -- tinkering that three more teams.

You say half the salary should go to Bob Knight. -- bought the other have -- your buddy Billy packer -- there's enough to.

Well yeah I don't it was relatively subdued on the selection show on Sunday night but. Those guys have really served a purpose for college basketball they they have. They have promoted this game then start with al McGuire in and out Billy packer by talent. And all the offshoot of what -- out too numerous to even mention anymore on on a number of the channels but. Everybody -- their -- time now. And the best part about the field is the you guys earlier said about. You know entertainment purposes only the other thing I'll tell people as anybody wrote down my final four. I hope they did -- impact so what -- a great cook a clock before the next seven games I'm changing it

I tell you what I thought I was going to have to calmed down right now. On Sunday you've gone on on -- on about Drexel and I'll talk heart hurt for those kids they wanted five against the top teams in their only.

Yeah I think at the end and bruiser is -- graduate and a very very dear friend of mine. I think what happened is despite the committee saying they don't look at conference affiliations I think they've laid into schools down. They compare the numbers and they said this team beat that team twice and -- story.

you have an opinion on the Boston College Texas Tech matchup which we have here on the station later on to back.

Ought to just think we weaver. We played Boston College in a -- when Jim O'Brien was because there we played -- Salt Lake City to go to this sweet 16 I think that was in 97 we launched 453 remember that. And one in overtime and we beat Texas Tech. Two years ago to go to sweet 16 I didn't really enjoy staying game because the best. You and I -- close our eyes. And we know exactly where Boston College is going to be on the floor on offense they're going to run that waxed the going to put the ball on the elbow there going to -- dump the ball inside. Texas Tech is going to be exactly where they should be on every possession and I think that is going to come down to the star. Is today today is today day for Dudley. Whereas today day for Jarrius Jackson I'm going to bet on Dudley I don't think he played great in the ACC tournament. And he's a hard true then winning and I kid I like Boston College.

Final question before we let you go your team's going into the NC AA tournament they tell you coach you can need to have a great point guard or a great big man. One or the other which one --

Our point -- point our point guard and again another point cart I play with five tournament by good that's the team were like that. What did the game is decaying despite still being 40 minutes is shorter in the NC AA tournament. And a lot of decisions have to be made at the end shot clock both offensively and -- actually. And I want the guy with the ball to be my main man.

Coach we really appreciate taken a few minutes help break it down force it was fun for us and I think -- information -- for our listeners as well and best of luck to you don't forward

I thank you for your time in at any time I can do anything for your your audience are on therefore it.

Thanks -- Arthur. Take care that is that coach Phil mortally saint Joe's