The call came about three weeks ago. Bruce Weber, coach of the nation’s only undefeated team until yesterday, reached out to Phil Martelli, who led St. Joseph’s on the greatest ride in school history last season.

“I asked him very directly one question, ‘Are you enjoying it?’ ” Martelli told The Post yesterday in a telephone inter view. “He said, ‘Yes, very much.’ ”

“I was glad to hear that because in this business usually you’re slugging it out trying to make tournament or trying to improve your seed in your league tournament, and you can go your whole career without a season like we had last year and they’re having this year,” continued Martelli. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime ride.”

The ride came to a crashing end yesterday when Ohio State derailed Illinois’ quest for a perfect season by edging the Illini 65-64 in Columbus. Illinois finished the regular season 29-1.

The Buckeyes are coached by Thad Matta, who last season ended St. Joe’s perfect record when he led Xavier to an 87-67 win over the Hawks in a first-round Atlantic 10 Tournament game. St. Joe’s had won its first 27.

Martelli said he told Weber the toughest part of the season was still to come and warned him about the final few weeks of the season.

“He asked me how we dealt with it and I said, ‘Day by day, game by game,’ ” said Martelli. “I got the impression the few times I watched them that they had taken the same approach.” Martelli said he watched the final five minutes of Ohio State’s upset. “I don’t buy any of that stuff that it’s better to lose a game [before the NCAA Tournament],” said Martelli. “It doesn’t make any sense to me. You play every game to win. I’m sure they’re disappointed. They know they’ve played very good ball since November and this isn’t the end. They’ll bounce back.”