Martelli Jr. named finalist for Hugh Durham, Joe B. Hall Awards

BOSTON -- Bryant men's basketball head coach Phil Martelli Jr. has been named a finalist for both the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year award and Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year award, CollegeInsider.com announced on Tuesday.

The Hugh Durham Award recognizes the top mid-major coach in college basketball, while the Joe B. Hall Award honors the top first-year head coach in Division I college basketball. 

Martelli Jr. enjoyed an outstanding first season on the sidelines for the Black and Gold, becoming the first Bryant coach to win 20 games in his debut season since 1968-69. The Bulldogs finished the year 20-13 overall and 11-5 in America East play, advancing to the semifinal round of the AE tournament for the first time in program history. Martelli's 20 wins are fifth among first-year head coaches nationally.

Named the head coach on Nov. 14, Martelli's first win as Bryant's permanent head coach was a 61-52 victory over No. 10 Florida Atlantic. Bryant would also pick up victories over NCAA Tournament qualifier Howard and CAA members Drexel and Towson. Martelli would lead the Black and Gold to their second 20-win season in DI program history, ranking second nationally in blocks per game, ninth in field goal percentage defense, 42nd in three-point field goal percentage defense and 55th in scoring. 

Under Martelli's watch, Sherif Gross-Bullock and Earl Timberlake were named to the America East First Team, while also picking up NABC All-District honors. 

Hugh Durham Award Finalists
John Becker - Vermont
Randy Bennett - St. Mary's
Mark Byington - James Madison
Chris Casey - Fairfield
Darian DeVries - Drake
Bryce Drew - Grand Canyon
Mitch Henderson - Princeton
Alan Huss - High Point
Donnie Jones - Stetson
Greg Kampe - Oakland
Dustin Kerns - Appalachian State
Phil Martelli Jr. - Bryant
Bucky McMillan - Samford
Chris Mudge - Sam Houston
Eric Olen - UC San Diego
Josh Schertz - Indiana State
Patrick Sellers - Central Connecticut
Russell Turner - UC Irvine
Will Wade - McNeese
Sundance Wicks - Green Bay

Joe B. Hall Finalists
Adrian Autry - Syracuse
Chad Boudreau - Western Illinois
Chris Casey - Fairfield
Aaron Fearne - Charlotte
Ross Hodge - North Texas
Bryan Hodgson - Arkansas State
Alan Huss - High Point
Matt Logie - Montana State
Phil Martelli Jr. - Bryant
Chris Mudge - Sam Houston
Tevon Saddler - Nicholls
Jim Shaw - Texas A&M Corpus Christi
Duane Simpkins - American
Tony Skinn - George Mason
K.T. Turner - UT Arlington
Sundance Wicks - Green Bay