Seton Hall Pirates
Big East (21-11, 10-8)
Seton Hall played well early during the 2017-2018 campaign. They picked up some nice wins over the likes of Texas Tech and Louisville. However, the tough Big East caught up to the Pirates and they ended with just a 10-8 record in conference play.
Big Wins: 11/30 vs Texas Tech (89-79), 12/28 Creighton (90-84), 1/6 at Butler (90-87)
Bad Losses:
Coach: Kevin Willard
Why They Can Surprise:
The Pirates boast four prolific scorers. Desi Rodriguez, a 6-6 senior, averages 17.8 points on top of his 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He is the team’s most dynamic scoring threat with his ability to use his size to attack the basket and shoot consistently from beyond the arc. Myles Powell is the team’s most prolific shooter though. He has connected on 38.5 percent of his three-point attempts and averages 15.4 points per game. Khadeen Carrington runs the point and is a big-time scorer too. He averages 14.9 points and 4.5 assists per game and leads the defensive effort on the perimeter.
Why They Can Disappoint:
This is an experienced team, at least within the starting five, but consistency has been a problem for this group for the last four years. The last two years they have entered the NCAA Tournament with some high hopes, but lost in the first round. They entered this season as a borderline top 25 team, but failed to live up to those expectations as well. This is the last shot for Carrington, Rodriguez, Delgado and Ismael Sanogo, but it remains to be seen if they can use that experience to their advantage or crumble again during the bright lights of March.
Probable Starters:
Khadeen Carrington, Senior, Guard, 14.9 ppg, 4.5 apg
Myles Powell, Sophomore, Guard, 15.4 ppg, 2.9 apg
Desi Rodriguez, Senior, Forward, 17.8 ppg, 2.1 apg, 4.9 rpg
Ismael Sanogo, Senior, Forward, 5.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg
Angel Delgado, Senior, Center, 13.3 ppg, 11.6 rpg
Key Role Players:
Sandro Mamukelashvili, Freshman, Forward, 2.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg
Myles Cale, Freshman, Guard, 4.4 ppg
Jordan Walker, Freshman, Guard, 1.8 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 79.2 (59th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 73.3 (199, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.9 (69, 6)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.5 (157, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.2 (215, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.0 (129, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.0 (266, 10)
Rebound Margin: 4.2 (56, 3)
Assists Per Game: 15.9 (45, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.8 (161, 8)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
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 3/4
