When star point guard Jameer Nelson is on his game there are few teams that can beat St. Joseph's.
Off to the best start in school history, Nelson and the seventh-ranked Hawks (12-0, 2-0) will try to remain unbeaten as they visit Duquesne on Saturday in an Atlantic-10 matchup.
The Hawks (12-0, 2-0), who have already surpassed the 11-0 start of the 1914-1915 squad, have been led by their talented 5-foot-11 guard. Nelson is averaging 20.8 points per game and is coming off a 32-point effort against Richmond on Tuesday night. The senior had 18 of his points in the first half as St. Joseph's cruised to a 71-60 win.
St. Joseph's is just four victories shy of matching the all-time school winning streak of 16, set during the 1964-65 season.
In the Hawks' conference opener last Saturday, Nelson scored 29 points against George Washington.
"I think a lot of times, seeing has to be believing with Jameer," St. Joe's coach Phil Martelli said. "It's why he's the best player in college basketball.
"No one dominates the game of basketball from the neck up like he does.".
Nelson was much more modest when asked about his abilities.
"I don't see myself as the best player, but I see myself as trying to become the best player by leading my team," he said. "That's the No. 1 thing I want to do. I'm not in it for anything individually."
Dwayne Jones had 10 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks against Richmond and Pat Carroll and Delonte West scored 13 points each.
Duquesne (5-7, 0-1) is coming off a 96-91 win over Ohio on Wednesday to complete its nonconference schedule. The Dukes shot a sizzling 66.7 percent (34-for-51) from the field and were able to overcome 20 3-pointers by the Bobcats.
The Dukes had a balanced scoring attack as Elijah Palmer and Ron Dokes scored 14 points each, while Bryant McAllister added 12 points and Ryan Tricco chipped in with 10.
The Hawks lead the all-time series 29-9, and have won the last six meetings.
