Seton Hall Pirates
2012-2013 Overall Rank: #99
Conference Rank: #12 Big East
Seton Hall Team Page
Seton Hall, and Coach Kevin Willard dating back to his days at Iona, is used to having quality point guards. For the first time in a while, the Pirates will have some major questions at the point. Freddie Wilson is the heir apparent to Jordan Theodore and his 6.6 assists per game, but Coach Willard never found too much time to insert Wilson into the game during the 2011-2012 campaign. That leaves the point guard position vastly inexperienced. The Pirates will have to look elsewhere for their leadership.
2011-12 Record: 21-13, 8-10
2011-12 Postseason: NIT
Coach: Kevin Willard
Coach Record: 34-31 at Seton Hall, 79-80 overall
Who’s Out:
Theodore was not just the point guard, he also led the Pirates in scoring with 16.1 points per game. Having the ball in his hands usually resulted in something good happening and having that ability while the shot clock was winding down is a skill that will be greatly missed by this team. The other big name on Seton Hall during their relatively successful 2011-2012 campaign was Herb Pope. The rebounding machine averaged 15.1 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. Nobody is going to step in and replace Pope or Theodore.
Who’s In:
The Pirates only have one incoming freshman, but there are plenty of newcomers ready to make an impact. The freshman is point guard Tom Maayan who could compete for the starting point guard job, but an ACL injury may keep him on the sidelines for a while and it has at least slowed his progress. Sterling Gibbs, a transfer from Texas, could be the answer at the point, but he is awaiting word from the NCAA to be eligible immediately. A few transfers will certainly be eligible this year. Kyle Smith spent some time with Coach Willard at Iona and is eligible immediately as a graduating senior with a year of eligibility remaining. Smith started 17 games for the Gaels last year, but is pretty much just a spot up shooter. The Pirates could use a shooter off of the bench and Smith should fill that role very nicely. Brian Oliver, a transfer from Georgia Tech, is a versatile 6-6 wing who can knock down the long ball and use his size to attack the basket. He works hard on the glass too and if Oliver is not in the starting lineup he will be a superb sixth man. Gene Teague could make the biggest impact. The 6-9, 290 pound center spent a couple years at Southern Illinois. In 2010-2011 he was having a great season with the Salukis before an ankle injury slowed him down. Kevin Johnson will add more depth to the frontcourt, but Teague has the size and strength to be a menace against the tough big men in the Big East.
Who to Watch:
Fuquan Edwin and Aaron Cosby are the holdovers who have the ability to pick up the scoring slack on the perimeter. Edwin needed to pick up his production as a sophomore and he did just that, averaging 12.5 points and 6.2 rebounds. The 6-6 wing can shoot over most opposing defenders or use his speed to get around them. Cosby is coming off of a great freshman campaign in which he proved to be Seton Hall’s most efficient and prolific long range shooter. He might be able to make the jump that Edwin did last year, but the logjam of talent on the wings due to Oliver joining the fray may prevent that. Haralds Karlis will add depth to the backcourt and his versatility will come in very handy, especially if the point guard play becomes a major issue. Karlis is ideally a 6-5 wing, but he can handle the ball.
Final Projection:
Little used Aaron Geramipoor is really the only traditional big man returning, but the Pirates do have Patrik Auda and Brandon Mobley to man the power forward spot and slide up to center when necessary. Both Auda and Mobley are decent outside shooters and their ability to stretch the defense will open up the entire offense and that could be very important without an experienced point guard available to make things happen. Auda, a 6-9 junior, will likely step back into the starting lineup after averaging 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds last season. Mobley is a stronger rebounder and better shooter from long range than Auda last season and barring a sophomore slump, Mobley could see his numbers sky rocket in 2012-2013.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
Projected Starting Five:
Freddie Wilson, Sophomore, Guard, 1.8 points per game
Aaron Cosby, Sophomore, Guard, 7.9 points per game
Fuquan Edwin, Junior, Guard, 12.5 points per game
Patrik Auda, Junior, Forward, 6.8 points per game
Gene Teague, Junior, Center, DNP last season
