This year, Turkey Day entails Hawks basketball.
Saint Joseph's has drawn Washington State in the first round of the Wooden Legacy Tournament, which opens on Thanksgiving, Nov. 23, on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. The game is set for 6:30 p.m. on ESPN3. Win or lose, Phil Martelli's team will play the next day against either Saint Mary's or Harvard.
Cal State Fullerton, Georgia, San Diego State and Sacramento State fill the other side of the eight-team bracket. SJU is guaranteed three games and will also play one of those four schools, depending on results. The final day of the tournament is Sunday, Nov. 26.
The injury bug took a big bite out of the Hawks' 2016-2017 campaign that resulted in a disappointing 11-20 record. However, all of the team's key players are back for another year, and with health and experience figure to improve on that mark.
Shavar Newkirk and Lamarr Kimble, SJU's two leading scorers from last season, should both be good to go in the fall after suffering season-ending injuries.