Seton Hall Pirates
2020-2021 Overall Rank: #37
Conference Rank: #3 Big East
After finishing third in the Big East in each of the last four seasons, Seton Hall finally broke through and won a share of the conference title in 2019-2020. Unfortunately the Pirates never got a chance to see if they could put an end to their little streak of tournament disappointments. In their last four appearances, Seton Hall has won just one NCAA Tournament game. In fact, the Pirates have not gotten out of the first weekend since 2000.
2019-20 Record: 21-9, 13-5
Coach: Kevin Willard
Coach Record: 1191-134 at Seton Hall, 236-183 overall
Key Departed Players:
Myles Powell, Guard, 21.0 ppg
Quincy McKnight, Guard, 11.9 ppg
Romaro Gill, Center, 7.8 ppg
Anthony Nelson, Guard, 2.7 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Sandro Mamukelashvilli, Senior, Forward, 11.9 ppg
Jared Rhoden, Junior, Guard/Forward, 9.1 ppg
Myles Cale, Senior, Guard/Forward, 6.0 ppg
Shavar Reynolds Jr, Senior, Guard, 4.2 ppg
Tyrese Samuel, Sophomore, Forward, 3.2 ppg
Ike Obiagu, Junior, Guard/Forward, 2.4 ppg
Key New Players:
Bryce Aiken, Senior, Guard, Grad Transfer from Harvard
Tray Jackson, Sophomore, Forward, Transfer from Missouri, not eligible
Jahari Long, Freshman, Guard
Takal Molson, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Canisius
Jeff Ngandu, Freshman, Center
Dimingus Stevens, Freshman, Guard
Projection:
Seton Hall will look quite different this year without Myles Powell and his 21.0 points per game. Fellow starters Quincy McKnight and Romaro Gill are also gone. That leaves Sandro Mamukelashvilli as the top returning player. The 6-11 forward averaged 11.9 points and 6.0 rebounds and will be ready for a big senior season. Myles Cale is another experienced senior who will be asked to step into a leadership role in 2020-2021. Cale did not have a great junior campaign, but he has proven that he can do a lot more scoring than he did last season. Like Cale, Jared Rhoden is a versatile 6-6 wing who can score in a variety of ways. After tallying 9.1 points per game as a sophomore, much more is expected of Rhoden as an upperclassman. Shavar Reynolds, Tyrese Samuel and Ike Obiagu were all roleplayers last season and will at least fit in that role again this time around. Keep an eye on Samuel especially. He only averaged 11.0 minutes per game as a freshman, but he is tough and talented and capable of playing a much larger role. A couple transfers will bolster the backcourt. Bryce Aiken comes from Harvard where he was one of the best players in the Ivy League when healthy. Takal Molson sat out last season after spending two years at Canisius. Two years ago he averaged 16.9 points and 5.0 rebounds en route to All-MAAC honors. Those two will give Coach Kevin Willard a couple more scoring threats on the perimeter. In all, this may not be a group that can win another Big East title, but they can continue their streak of NCAA Tournament appearances and at least give themselves an opportunity to make the weekend.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.7 (80th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.9 (136, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.6 (127, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.1 (43, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.9 (106, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.5 (168, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.5 (153, 6)
Rebound Margin: 0.5 (171, 7)
Assists Per Game: 14.6 (60, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.2 (188, 5)
