Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Seton Hall In Carr's top 5
Patterson High School (Maryland) guard Aquille Carr has narrowed down his top 5 teams in the recruiting battle to Seton Hall, Connecticut, Syracuse, Memphis, and Kentucky. The class of 2013 guard was offered $750,000 to play for a professional team in Italy as a sophomore, which he turned down. Despite his small stature, (Measured at 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8) Carr has showed his incredible ball handling skills and great drives to the basket in his mix tape video on You Tube which has registered over 2,000,000 views. Carr also has a very quick release from the 3 point stripe. For Seton Hall fans if the recruiting process ends up like Kyle Anderson's there may be a riot in South Orange. We will see how it ends up.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Pope Back and Healthy
Herb Pope is back and ready to play. He is a true survivor and had a good season last year even after his health scare. He survived a heart attack and malformation that was caused at birth after collapsing on the Seton Hall campus in April of 2010. He is now back and has lost a significant amount of excess weight. Last season, Pope was sluggish at times last season and had seemed to have added some extra weight from his health scare. He has now trimmed down the weight and the Pirates hope he can be the player he was during the 2009-2010 season where he led the Big East with 10.7 rebounds per game.
The 2011 Schedule Preview Non-Conference Part 2
As promised here is the 2011 Non-Conference Preview Part 2.
December 2nd Auburn (DirecTV SEC/Big East Challenge)- The Hall hosts the Tigers from Auburn in the SEC/Big East Challenge at Prudential Center for what looks to be an even match up. I think that Seton Hall should be able to tame the Tigers by about 7 or 8 points in part due to the home court advantage. Auburn endured one of their worst season in team history last season going 11-19 and a dismal 4-12 in SEC play. The Tigers should be a better team this year but The Hall has improved too, if the game were in Auburn it may be a different story. Prediction: Seton Hall 75 Auburn 68
December 6th NJIT- The Highlanders have improved very much since their 1-30 2008 season but not enough to topple the Pirates. They have a solid combo guard in Chris Flores who was named Great West Conference Freshman of the Year by Sporting News two seasons ago. He averaged 12.6 PPG and led the team in assists with 74 last season. Sophomore guard Fuquan Edwin had 14 points for the Pirates in their 68-45 blowout last season. Prediction: Seton Hall 75 NJIT 48
December 10th Wake Forest- Usually an ACC opponent is not likely for Seton Hall to play against but once in a while, it happens. Wake Forest's season could be classified nicely as a rebuilding year due to their 8-24 record and 1-15 conference record. They finished with the least wins they've had in conference play since the 1985-86 season where they were 0-14 under Bob Staak. They also exited in the first round of the ACC Tournament at the hands of Boston College. Seton Hall should be able to deal with their offense which only ranked 223rd last year and this should be another Herb Pope double-digit boards game. Wake Forest only averaged 32.5 rebounds per game, 288th in the country. Prediction: Seton Hall 80 Wake Forest 69
December 18th Mercer- The home stretch continues as the Pirates face off with A-Sun opponent Mercer. What else can i say except that it should be a blow-out victory for the Pirates. Now nothing against Mercer but they are facing a Big East offense that averaged 13.5 assists per game and a rebounding squad that averaged 35.5 rebounds per game to Mercer's 32. It may not seem like a big difference but a few rebounds can make or break a game. Also, losing to William and Mary and Gardner-Webb does not help your status. Overall, Theo should push the tempo, Pope should crash the glass, and Fuquan should hit from the outside and inside. Prediction: Seton Hall 77 Mercer: 62
December 21st at Dayton- Ahh, a rematch with Dayton. It has been long awaited for The Hall who lost to the Flyers last year by 4 in Newark. The Pirates should have beaten the A-10 squad but they failed and have been waiting to play them since. The Pirates held an 11 point lead with 16 minutes to go and then Dayton made its run past the Pirates as the score built up to 69-59 with 9 minutes to go. A huge woe for the Pirates was not making a field goal for the next 8:24 in the game until Jordan Theodore hit a 3 pointer with 23 seconds left but by that time it was too late. Misses on second chance opportunities also built up for The Hall being outscore 20-7 in that department. Overall, i believe Dayton will prevail this time too with the Pirates being left with a sour taste in their mouths. Prediction: Dayton 68 Seton Hall 62
December 23 at Longwood- The last non-conference game of the year before a brutal beginning of conference games. Longwood was bested 78-51 by the Pirates last season and expect much of the same. 51 points scored was a surprising change for the Lancers who averaged 76.3 PPG last season. Then again, they did play some very lowly opponents including, Columbia, Colgate, and NJIT whom they lost to at one point last season. Longwood should be prepared for another loss to Seton Hall for the second year in a row. Prediction: Seton Hall 78 Longwood 63
December 2nd Auburn (DirecTV SEC/Big East Challenge)- The Hall hosts the Tigers from Auburn in the SEC/Big East Challenge at Prudential Center for what looks to be an even match up. I think that Seton Hall should be able to tame the Tigers by about 7 or 8 points in part due to the home court advantage. Auburn endured one of their worst season in team history last season going 11-19 and a dismal 4-12 in SEC play. The Tigers should be a better team this year but The Hall has improved too, if the game were in Auburn it may be a different story. Prediction: Seton Hall 75 Auburn 68
December 6th NJIT- The Highlanders have improved very much since their 1-30 2008 season but not enough to topple the Pirates. They have a solid combo guard in Chris Flores who was named Great West Conference Freshman of the Year by Sporting News two seasons ago. He averaged 12.6 PPG and led the team in assists with 74 last season. Sophomore guard Fuquan Edwin had 14 points for the Pirates in their 68-45 blowout last season. Prediction: Seton Hall 75 NJIT 48
December 10th Wake Forest- Usually an ACC opponent is not likely for Seton Hall to play against but once in a while, it happens. Wake Forest's season could be classified nicely as a rebuilding year due to their 8-24 record and 1-15 conference record. They finished with the least wins they've had in conference play since the 1985-86 season where they were 0-14 under Bob Staak. They also exited in the first round of the ACC Tournament at the hands of Boston College. Seton Hall should be able to deal with their offense which only ranked 223rd last year and this should be another Herb Pope double-digit boards game. Wake Forest only averaged 32.5 rebounds per game, 288th in the country. Prediction: Seton Hall 80 Wake Forest 69
December 18th Mercer- The home stretch continues as the Pirates face off with A-Sun opponent Mercer. What else can i say except that it should be a blow-out victory for the Pirates. Now nothing against Mercer but they are facing a Big East offense that averaged 13.5 assists per game and a rebounding squad that averaged 35.5 rebounds per game to Mercer's 32. It may not seem like a big difference but a few rebounds can make or break a game. Also, losing to William and Mary and Gardner-Webb does not help your status. Overall, Theo should push the tempo, Pope should crash the glass, and Fuquan should hit from the outside and inside. Prediction: Seton Hall 77 Mercer: 62
December 21st at Dayton- Ahh, a rematch with Dayton. It has been long awaited for The Hall who lost to the Flyers last year by 4 in Newark. The Pirates should have beaten the A-10 squad but they failed and have been waiting to play them since. The Pirates held an 11 point lead with 16 minutes to go and then Dayton made its run past the Pirates as the score built up to 69-59 with 9 minutes to go. A huge woe for the Pirates was not making a field goal for the next 8:24 in the game until Jordan Theodore hit a 3 pointer with 23 seconds left but by that time it was too late. Misses on second chance opportunities also built up for The Hall being outscore 20-7 in that department. Overall, i believe Dayton will prevail this time too with the Pirates being left with a sour taste in their mouths. Prediction: Dayton 68 Seton Hall 62
December 23 at Longwood- The last non-conference game of the year before a brutal beginning of conference games. Longwood was bested 78-51 by the Pirates last season and expect much of the same. 51 points scored was a surprising change for the Lancers who averaged 76.3 PPG last season. Then again, they did play some very lowly opponents including, Columbia, Colgate, and NJIT whom they lost to at one point last season. Longwood should be prepared for another loss to Seton Hall for the second year in a row. Prediction: Seton Hall 78 Longwood 63
The 2011 Schedule Preview Non-Conference Part 1
The Pirates open the season on November 12th at The Prudential Center so The Hall Zone has decided to take a look at the opening half of the season with non-conference games.
November 12th St. Francis- As mentioned before should be an easy victory for The Hall in what will probably be an underwhelming crowd at The Rock. St. Francis' defense will not be able to stay with the Pirates high-scoring offense. Prediction: Seton Hall 83 St. Francis 62
November 17th VCU (Charleston Classic)- This game will prove to be a tough task for Willard's young squad against 2011 national championship contender VCU. The Pirates may have an early season upset in mind but the Rams should be too powerful for The Hall. Prediction: VCU 85 Seton Hall 69.
November 18 TBD (Charleston Classic)- Barring some miracle Seton Hall should play St. Joseph's in the second game for the losers of the first game but we will leave the team slot blank because anything is possible.
November 20th TBD (Charleston Classic)- This game depends on Seton Hall's first two outcomes and the the teams in their bracket's outcomes.
November 22nd Yale- Another easy task for the Pirates at home against Yale. Herb Pope should have a field day rebounding against a team that ranked 211th in the country last season for rebounds. The 15-13 record from last year will fool you because they played some underwhelming teams including, Bryant University and Baruch University. They did have one impressive victory though against Boston College in Chesnut Hill early on. If Pope can dominate the boards and create scoring opportunities on offense The Pirates should be fine. Prediction: Seton Hall 81 Yale 63
November 26th St. Peter's- The result should be the same as recent years for the Peacocks, another defeat. Besides the 2009 3 point scare at The Rock the Pirates have won by double digits every year since 2006. That's pretty much enough said. Prediction: Seton Hall 74 St. Peter's 50
Stay tuned for Part 2 of the non-conference schedule soon
November 12th St. Francis- As mentioned before should be an easy victory for The Hall in what will probably be an underwhelming crowd at The Rock. St. Francis' defense will not be able to stay with the Pirates high-scoring offense. Prediction: Seton Hall 83 St. Francis 62
November 17th VCU (Charleston Classic)- This game will prove to be a tough task for Willard's young squad against 2011 national championship contender VCU. The Pirates may have an early season upset in mind but the Rams should be too powerful for The Hall. Prediction: VCU 85 Seton Hall 69.
November 18 TBD (Charleston Classic)- Barring some miracle Seton Hall should play St. Joseph's in the second game for the losers of the first game but we will leave the team slot blank because anything is possible.
November 20th TBD (Charleston Classic)- This game depends on Seton Hall's first two outcomes and the the teams in their bracket's outcomes.
November 22nd Yale- Another easy task for the Pirates at home against Yale. Herb Pope should have a field day rebounding against a team that ranked 211th in the country last season for rebounds. The 15-13 record from last year will fool you because they played some underwhelming teams including, Bryant University and Baruch University. They did have one impressive victory though against Boston College in Chesnut Hill early on. If Pope can dominate the boards and create scoring opportunities on offense The Pirates should be fine. Prediction: Seton Hall 81 Yale 63
November 26th St. Peter's- The result should be the same as recent years for the Peacocks, another defeat. Besides the 2009 3 point scare at The Rock the Pirates have won by double digits every year since 2006. That's pretty much enough said. Prediction: Seton Hall 74 St. Peter's 50
Stay tuned for Part 2 of the non-conference schedule soon
Canty down to two
Brooklyn guard Kareem Canty is down to two schools with the Pirates and Marshall as the contenders. The 6'1 guard from Westwind Prep Academy in Arizona tweeted that Seton Hall was leading in the quest for his game. Canty spent last year at Westwind Prep and the season before that at North Bridgton Academy in Maine.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Game Preview #1 St. Francis (N.Y.) November 12th
A should-be easy task for the Pirates in the opening game at The Rock. St. Francis is pretty much a what you see is what you get type of team. They finished the season last year at 15-15 but only played sub-par teams including NJIT, Bryant University, and Long Island whom Seton Hall defeated two seasons ago by 29 points. The Terriers do not have a major scoring threat to contain so it should be smooth sailing for The Hall to run the table on offense and not worry about a dangerous fast break opportunity at the other end. Jordan Theodore should be able to run the first game of his senior season with ease and look to opportunities on the wing as has been the case in the past. Prediction: Seton Hall 83 St. Francis 62
Hazell heads to Spain, Robinson to Austria
Former Pirate great Jeremy Hazell has signed to play for Lucentum Alicante in the Spanish ACB League, The Wall Street Journal reports. Hazell will join forces with former Duke star Kyle Singler to form a potent two guard combo. Hazell finished last season with 19.8 PPG despite missing 13 games with a broken wrist. He finished as one of the all time greats in Seton Hall history and will soon be playing in the NBA after the lockout ends.
Jeff Robinson has also signed a contract to play professional basketball in the Austrian A League. He signed to play for the Furstenfeld Panthers in Austria. Robinson spent 3 years with the Pirates squad after transferring from Memphis. He sat out a year due to transfer regulations but practiced with the team and in his playing time he averaged 12.2 PPG and as a senior started all 31, a team high.
Jeff Robinson has also signed a contract to play professional basketball in the Austrian A League. He signed to play for the Furstenfeld Panthers in Austria. Robinson spent 3 years with the Pirates squad after transferring from Memphis. He sat out a year due to transfer regulations but practiced with the team and in his playing time he averaged 12.2 PPG and as a senior started all 31, a team high.
Anderson spurns The Hall for UCLA
Number 5 prospect in the country and St. Anthony's (Jersey City) guard Kyle Anderson committed to UCLA on Monday after a long recruiting trail of teams that was narrowed down to Seton Hall and UCLA. The Hall gave the best effort with Kevin Willard doing a tremendous job to try and land the 5 star prospect but in the end the Pirates could not come up with the prized recruit. The last recruit that generated so much buzz for the Pirates was Eddie Griffin in 2000. Even the loyal supporters of the Pirates tried to convince Anderson to head to South Orange by having 125 of their own head to Walsh Gym for a few of his fall league games. Anderson handled the matter very well though and notified the coaching staff before his public announcement.
Is Big East Basketball over as we know it?
With the news of Syracuse and Pittsburgh exiting the conference in 2014 and teams like Connecticut, Rutgers, and West Virginia shopping conferences will Big East basketball be left in the dust? Commissioner John Marinatto has been criticized by some coaches for his lack of leadership during the realignment. Despite this the Big East is rumored to be interested in adding Xavier and back to back Final Four runner-up Butler as basketball-only programs. Another question that has arose among pirate fans is how Seton Hall will be affected during the shake-up. Seton Hall is one of 6 Big East schools that does not have a Division 1 football program or a football program at all. Talk has been that the 6 schools may leave the Big East to create a new conference with one or two other schools. As of now Big East fans are just going to have to wait and see how the realignment shakes out.
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