PHILADELPHIA (3/8/04) - The magical season for Saint Joseph's continues as the Hawks have achieved the nation's top ranking in the national polls released today. It marks the first time in school history that the Hawks have been ranked first in the nation.

Saint Joseph's was a unanimous choice as the nation's top team in the ESPN/USA Today poll, garnering all 31 first-place votes. The Hawks are also ranked first in the Associated Press poll, receiving 67 of 72 first-place votes.

Stanford's loss to Washington on Saturday night paved the way for the unbeaten Hawks to take the over the top spot.

The 27-0 Hawks have set the school records for victories and winning streak. They are the second team in Atlantic 10 history to enter the conference tournament as the nation's top-ranked team.

"Our players deserve all the credit. I'm delighted that they will have this line on their resume," said Hawk coach Phil Martelli. "I'm happy for the Atlantic 10 and for Saint Joseph's University and for all the people who have fought so hard and backed us for so long."

"If you are expecting us to celebrate now, we're not. We're very happy with this but we know we still have work to do. We have one job right now and that's to bring home a trophy from Dayton on Saturday night."

The Hawks open play in the 2004 Atlantic 10 Tournament in the quarterfinals on Thursday, March 11 against the winner of the the St. Bonaventure-Xavier first round game. Tip off for the Hawks is noon, and the game will be broadcast by the Atlantic 10 Television Network and seen locally on Comcast SportsNet.