Hawk Talk Podcast

St. Joe’s isn’t going to be on the MainStage in 2025 in Vegas, but they are in the Players Era JV bracket — and that matters too :) NIL is already shaping how the program recruits, builds, and brands, and playing in a tournament like this (fingers crossed 2026) is key to building for the future. We talk NIL, roster moves, and what identity means for SJU in 2025. Guests Ryan MBA and HHHardwood join for a great convo on Player Era news, communication surrounding the players era, and more. Enjoy!

Tony and Pete break down St. Joe’s top-ranked A-10 transfer class—Al Amadou, Deuce Jones, and Jaiden Glover—and reflect on the departure of X Brown. They dive into NIL’s impact on college basketball and tackle fan questions, from walk-on battles with Will Lange to the value of season tickets and the future of Hawk hoops.

We’re back with a packed episode: Florida pulls off a W, Martelli drops some gems in a new interview, and there’s movement in the Saint Joe’s transfer portal. Tony slaps a tariff on all transfers, and we dive into the SJUhawk4ever letter to Jill—plus, what to expect from their upcoming meeting.

The postseason giveth and the postseason taketh away. Tony and Pete recap the emotional swing from the Hawks’ win over Dayton to tough losses against Mason and UAB. Then things get weird: Kyle Pagan angered the Hawk faithful, and Ryan MBA responded like a wizard scorned—casting Twitter spells that will live in infamy. Tony and Pete talk fan beef, portal whispers, divine returns, and the eternal question: should Billy come back? Plus voice memos, listener questions, and a reality check on where expectations should land.

Tony and Pete are joined by Riley Frain (@rileyfrain) of Mid Major Madness as well as Matt Gifford (@HHHardwood) to preview the Atlantic 10 Tournament. After that, Tony and Pete move from serious basketball, to some more fun topics which includes talking to some SJU fans directly.

Hawk Rock Intro - 0:00

Pete and Tony Preview - 1:20

Riley Frain - 20:50

Matt Gifford - 42:52

Meditation on the A10 - 1:07:15

Ryan MBA - 1:08:30

Closing Remarks - 1:26:13

Tony and Pete enjoy good banter as the Hawks look to finish February strong

Short recap of the Hawk’s performance of late and their FridA10 matchup…

The hashtag says it all. Expectations are high and hopes are low. Tune into hear Tony’s masterclass exposé on why #BillyOut may be the only way forward…

Tony and Pete break down the Hawks’ rough 1-2 start to non-conference play and dive into what’s gone wrong, including double losses in the A10 and why the conference needs to ditch these lower-tier teams like GW and UMass. Plus, they discuss the Hawks’ new red room/practice space, preview upcoming games, and tackle the NBA’s three-point problem with Pete’s unique take and Tony’s controversial fixes for basketball.

Later, they touch on Phil Martelli’s legacy (while making it clear they don’t care… or do they?), Tony’s recap of the Mummers Parade, and Big Cat’s “Mr. Chicago” reveal—raising the age-old question: What does it really mean to be a fan?

All that, and more unfiltered opinions, because that’s what we do. Sorry, Phil.

Aaron Bracy and Riley Frain join the show for a fun, hoops-filled episode! Aaron previews his debut book, A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph’s Hawks, and shares insights from nearly 30 years of covering Philly sports— and what he thinks about the Hawks this season.

Riley, our Long Island correspondent (ha) and also fellow St. Joe’s alum, helps us break down the Hawks’ non-conference play and what’s next. It’s Big 5 banter, St. Joe’s talk, and a few good laughs—don’t miss it!