Sports & Perspective
The buzz around Seton Hall is growing, it’s no coincidence Myles Powell is a big reason.
A big reason for Seton Hall’s strong start in Big East conference play is the added dimension Powell has brought to the team. Continue reading “Myles Powell Gives Seton Hall Added Dimension”
VCU had one more chance to secure a quality nonconference win with their visit Saturday to Newark, New Jersey. The Rams were winless in four games which could have been resume-builders, their 90-67 loss to Seton Hall extended that streak to five. Continue reading “Give VCU Some Time, They’ll Figure It Out”
Seton Hall continued their strong start to the season with statement win over VCU. The opening game of the 2017 Never Forget Tribute Classic was a forgettable one for VCU. On a snowy Saturday, here are my three takeaways from press row at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey: Continue reading “Three Takeaways From Seton Hall’s Win Over VCU”
No one has to remind Seton Hall about the lofty expectations surrounding this team. Since the start of the season, all the Pirates have done is go about their business of winning ballgames and taking names.
The Big East conference schedule is four games away for Seton Hall, but they look like they’re ready to start now. Continue reading “Seton Hall Rolling Towards Conference Play”
St John’s has the talent in their backcourt to compete for a spot in the postseason. But it’s going to take more than strong guard play to make headway in the Big East.
Chris Mullin is in his third season as head coach, it’s been a slow climb for the Red Storm but there’s plenty of reason for hope.
With sophomores Shamorie Ponds and Marcus LoVett, St. John’s has one of the conference’s more exciting backcourts.
College basketball game, much like in the NBA, has evolved into more of an emphasis on the guards and perimeter-oriented players. But this doesn’t take away from the importance of being able to rebound. This is where the Red Storm may struggle.
In their season opener on Friday night, the Red Storm came away with a 77-61 win over New Orleans.
LoVett and Ponds played well, as expected. St. John’s was also outrebounded, 42-27, but found a way to still win.
Against a team like New Orleans, no disrespect to them, Mullin’s team was able to rely on the talent of their guards. But that won’t always be the case as the season progresses.
If St. John’s is going to take the next step in their growth, they’ll need an improved effort on the glass. There’s size upfront with 6-11 Tariq Owens and 6-7 forward Kassoum Yawke. The knock on 6-7 Bashir Ahmed is he remains erratic and needs to find more consistency in his game.
The arrival of Marvin Clark III could be key to this team’s rebounding issues. He’s 6-7 but sat out last season after transferring from Michigan State. Clark III brings Big 10 experience with him, that’s going to be valuable this season for Mullin.
LoVett and Ponds will supply the offensive firepower for St. John’s, but they can’t do it all alone. Mullin is doing a good job at getting this team to take on his identity. They’re tough, play defense, and they’re scrappy.
This could be the breakthrough season St. John’s has been waiting for, if they find a way to improve on the boards.
Can anyone blame Seton Hall for feeling their time has come?
The Pirates are ranked 23rd in the nation, the feeling around campus is they’re a team ready to contend for a spot in the Final Four.
They’re loaded with the right mix of old and young on its roster. Seton Hall’s senior class has come of age together. They came in together and have endured their fair share of growing pains while learning how to win together as a unit.
Angel Delgado, Desi Rodriguez, and Khadeen Carrington are more than just talented basketball players. The trio came in together and have endured their fair share of growing pains. They’re now experienced veterans ready to finish their collegiate careers on the highest of notes.
On a cold Friday night in Newark, the triple-threat provided the spark Seton Hall needed to power past Fairleigh Dickinson with a 90-68 win in their season-opener.
After the game, Pirates head coach Kevin Willard pointed towards the strength of this year’s team.
“When you have as many seniors as we have, you have a lot of confidence in them,” Willard said. We’re like an aged steak.”
Delgado is a walking double-double, this is nothing new to fans of Seton Hall. He had 10 points and 10 rebounds against FDU, he’s been the heart and soul of the Pirates with his enthusiasm and effort.
You put Delgado with the offense of Rodriguez and Carrington and Seton Hall gives headaches for opponents trying to matchup against them.
Willard, along the way, has been great at surrounding his core group with a strong supporting cast. Freshman Myles Cale played a strong game with 12 points off the bench.
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Expectations for Seton Hall this season are high, as they should be. It can’t go unnoticed they’re the only Division I team with three 1,000-point scorers in Rodriguez, Delgado, and Carrington.
After three years of growing together through blood, sweat, and even tears – this team’s ready for their spot at the big table with the nation’s top contenders.
It’s time to serve the main course, the Pirates are ready to eat.
If there’s anything to take from watching Fordham lose their season opener to Miami (Oh) it’s they’re still a team in search of consistent offense.
The defense is still a strength for this team. Third-year head coach Jeff Neubauer does a good job with making sure the Rams play hard on every play.
But the problem area for Fordham this year came up late in Friday night’s loss to Miami (Oh). When the defense struggles to get stops, where will the offense come from on this team?
Fordham had a 54-48 lead with 2:20 left in the game, that’s the time when you’re supposed to put your opponent away. Instead, while the Red Hawks were coming alive on offense, the Rams missed their last three shots.
Miami (Oh) went on a 7-0 run to escape Rose Hill with a 55-54 win over the Rams. It’s a frustrating beginning to a new season for Neubauer.
In the offseason, the Rams lost graduate transfers Christian Sengfelder (Boise St.) and Antwoine Anderson (UConn). They played key offensive roles for Fordham during their time there.
Junior guard Joeseph Chartouny is back for Fordham, they’re going to need his scoring just as much as his leadership.
Chartouny was aggressive in looking to get to the basket against Miami (Oh). He’s an excellent defender, but Neubauer will need more from him and Will Tavares to keep the Rams in ballgames.
Neubauer has brought a sense of stability to which was missing before he arrived on campus. He’s no-nonsense when it comes to teaching the fundamentals to his players. But he’s also aware this is still very much a process with getting the program out of the lower tier of the conference.
In order to take that next step, Fordham has to get more from their offense. That’ll be their challenge this season.
St. John’s secured a verbal commitment from Sidney Wilson, a 6-foot-7 wing player from the Bronx. It’s the latest good news for head coach Chris Mullin as he continues to do his best in keeping top prospects home. Continue reading “Sidney Wilson Is Another Step In Right Direction For St. John’s”