Seton Hall Pirates
Big East (20-13, 9-9)
Within the first month of the season it became clear that this would be another Seton Hall team that would be very talented, but inconsistent. The Pirates lost an early contest to Saint Louis, but a few weeks later slipped past Kentucky in overtime. Big East play was no different. In a five game stretch Seton Hall lost twice to DePaul and once to Providence. At the end of that little losing streak Coach Kevin Willard’s team was 12-8 overall and 3-5 in Big East play and a trip to the NCAA Tournament seemed nearly impossible. The nearly part turned out to be correct. After a couple wins over Creighton and huge victories against Marquette and Villanova, Seton Hall was right back in the picture.
Big Wins: 12/8 vs Kentucky (84-83), 12/22 at Maryland (78-74), 3/9 Villanova (79-75)
Bad Losses: 11/14 at Nebraska (57-80), 11/17 Saint Louis (64-66), 1/19 DePaul (93-97)
Coach: Kevin Willard
Why They Can Surprise:
Myles Powell has turned into one of the best scorers in the country. The 6-2 junior averages 22.9 points per game and the Pirates will let their superstar scorer carry them as far as he can. Powell will regularly score over 30 points. He is not the most consistent outside shooter around, but Powell is not shy about testing his luck from long range. When those shots are falling, he will keep shooting until they are not. And even when Powell is having a little trouble shooting the ball, he will attack the basket effectively.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Seton Hall will always need to find some other scorers. Myles Cale and Quincy McKnight are the perimeter options and it will be important for one of them to knock down a few jumpers. Michael Nzei and Sandro Mamukelashvili are the interior scoring threats, although Mamukelashvili can step outside and hit a few long balls as well. If a few of those players can help supplement the scoring provided by Powell, Seton Hall is a great team. When they do not or Powell himself is having an off night, that is when the Pirates lose to teams that they should beat.
Probable Starters:
Quincy McKnight, Junior, Guard, 9.5 ppg, 4.0 apg
Myles Powell, Junior, Guard, 22.9 ppg, 2.9 apg, 4.0 rpg, 2.0 spg
Myles Cale, Sophomore, Guard, 10.3 ppg, 1.2 apg, 4.2 rpg
Michael Nzei, Senior, Forward, 9.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg
Sandro Mamukelashvili, Sophomore, Forward, 8.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.2 bpg
Key Role Players:
Romaro Gill, Junior, Center, 2.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.3 bpg
Jared Rhoden, Freshman, Guard, 3.2 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 73.8 (142nd in nation, 7th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 71.6 (182, 6)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.4 (182, 8)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.9 (119, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.0 (87, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.5 (276, 10)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.5 (149, 7)
Rebound Margin: -0.4 (221, 8)
Assists Per Game: 13.7 (158, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.8 (162, 4)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 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 3/10
