Seton Hall Pirates
Big East (21-9, 13-5)
Kevin Willard has Seton Hall in their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament with their highest seeding in that span. In the previous four appearances, the Pirates failed to make it past the first weekend and were never higher than a 6-seed. However, this year’s team is unquestionably the most talented team Willard has had at Seton Hall. Led by Big East Player of the Year Myles Powell, the Pirates have an experienced and deep squad primed to make a run in the NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 12/19 Maryland (52-48), 1/15 at Butler (78-70), 2/8 at Villanova (70-64)
Bad Losses: 12/8 at Iowa State (66-76), 12/14 at Rutgers (48-68), 2/1 Xavier (62-74)
Coach: Kevin Willard
Why They Can Surprise:
Seton Hall is an efficient team on both ends of the floor, but their improved defense is a major reason for this being Kevin Willard’s best team yet. The Pirates are 26th in defensive efficiency and opponents shoot just 40.1% from the field against them. Seton Hall is especially difficult to score on in the paint as they have four players standing 6-foot-10 or taller. The Pirates allow only 44.4% of two-pointers to be made, a top-25 mark in the nation, and they block roughly six shot attempts per game, which is top-ten in the country. Offensively, Seton Hall is led by All-American candidate Myles Powell who is one of the top scorers in the NCAA. Powell averages 21.0 points per game while making 2.8 three’s per game. Powell’s efficiency is down this year as he’s shooting just 39.8% from the field and 30.6% from three, but he is still a threat to take over any game with his shot-making ability.
Why They Can Disappoint:
As mentioned above, while Powell and Seton Hall are always a threat put up big scoring numbers, the shooting percentages have not been great this season. As a team, the Pirates are shooting just 32.9% from three in conference play. The Pirates’ size helps them shoot a strong percentage from inside the arc, but teams will downsize to force Seton Hall to player smaller lineups and shoot more outside shots. This can end poorly like when they lost home games to both Creighton and Villanova, teams that can play smaller and shoot well from three. Despite their height advantage, the Pirates also struggle to rebound the ball especially on the defensive end. Opponents average 11.7 offensive rebounds per game, which is the 316th worst mark in the nation. Allowing the opposition to have that many second chance opportunities can be lethal in the NCAA Tournament.
Probable Starters:
Quincy McKnight, Senior, Guard, 11.9 ppg, 5.4 apg, 1.5 spg
Myles Powell, Senior, Guard, 21.0 ppg, 2.9 apg, 4.3 rpg
Jared Rhoden, Sophomore, Guard, 9.1 ppg, 1.1 apg, 6.4 rpg
Sandro Mamukelashvili, Junior, Forward, 11.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg
Romaro Gill, Senior, Center, 7.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg
Myles Powell, Senior, Guard, 21.0 ppg, 2.9 apg, 4.3 rpg
Jared Rhoden, Sophomore, Guard, 9.1 ppg, 1.1 apg, 6.4 rpg
Sandro Mamukelashvili, Junior, Forward, 11.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg
Romaro Gill, Senior, Center, 7.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg
Key Role Players:
Myles Cale, Junior, Guard, 6.0 ppg
Shavar Reynolds, Junior, Guard, 4.2 ppg, 1.0 apg
Anthony Nelson, Sophomore, Guard, 2.7 ppg, 2.3 apg
Tyrese Samuel, Freshman, Forward, 3.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Ike Obiagu, Sophomore, Center, 2.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg
Shavar Reynolds, Junior, Guard, 4.2 ppg, 1.0 apg
Anthony Nelson, Sophomore, Guard, 2.7 ppg, 2.3 apg
Tyrese Samuel, Freshman, Forward, 3.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Ike Obiagu, Sophomore, Center, 2.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.7 (81st in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.9 (134, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.6 (127, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.1 (43, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.9 (108, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.5 (170, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.5 (153, 6)
Rebound Margin: 0.5 (172, 7)
Assists Per Game: 14.6 (57, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.2 (187, 5)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Wofford |
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over North Carolina State |
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Kansas |
| 2017 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Arkansas |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Gonzaga |
| 2012 | NIT | First Round win over Stony Brook |
| 2012 | NIT | Second Round loss to Massachusetts |
| 2010 | NIT | First Round loss to Texas Tech |
| 2006 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Wichita State |
| 2004 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Arizona |
| 2004 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Duke |
| 2003 | NIT | First Round loss to Rhode Island |
| 2001 | NIT | First Round loss to Alabama |
*all team stats through 3/8
