Seton Hall MBB

Hart-Breaker

Photo Provided Courtesy Of Madeline Wilson

The Seton Hall Pirates were back in action at the Prudential Center as they took on the #4 Villanova Wildcats. Led by Josh Hart and his team high 15 points and 10 rebounds, the Wildcats handed the Pirates a 72-71 defeat. The two teams met two weeks ago and the Pirates fell by a score of 72-63. The defeat was a tough one for the Pirates, as they had multiple chances to win the game down the stretch. We talked to Larry Flynn before the game and he told us to watch for Daniel Ochefu who had a great game against Seton Hall in there first meeting.

The first half saw Villanova in control for the majority of it. With 13:21 to go in the first half the Pirates held a 12-11 lead. The Pirates got a spark from Desi Rodriguez who hit three quick three pointers. The Wildcats would then take the lead and hold onto it until the Pirates tied it with 1:32 remaining in the half. At one point Khadeen Carrington scored 10 straight points for the Pirates. However, Villanova had an answer for the Pirates every time. Kris Jenkins, Ryan Arcidiacono, and Josh Hart all hit three pointers for Villanova in the first half. At the end of the first half, the Wildcats would hold a 35-33 lead.

The Wildcats were led by Josh Hart in the first half. Hart posted 8 points and 5 rebounds. Kris Jenkins posted 8 points and 3 assists. Jalen Brunson led the Wildcats with 4 assists, and Daniel Ochefu led the team with 3 blocks. Darryl Reyolds and Josh Hart led the team with 5 rebounds. The Wildcats were lighting it up from beyond the arc as they shot 57.1% from three point range.

The Pirates were led in the first half by Desi Rodriguez who scored 13 points. Khadeen Carrington also scored in double digits with 10 points. Angel Delgado and Ismael Sanogo each had 5 rebounds for the Pirates in the first half.

The second half was a nail biter. The Wildcats increased their lead to 9 on a few occasions, but the Pirates kept battling back. The Pirates would cut the lead down to 2 multiple times, but it seemed Villanova always had an answer. With 4:45 to go in the second half the Wildcats led by 4. From there, Isaiah Whitehead would score 6 straight points to give the Pirates a two point lead. A layup from Daniel Ochefu would tie the game at 69. With 32 seconds to go, Ryan Arcidiacono scored to give Villanova a two point lead. The Pirates had a chance to tie but Derrick Gordon’s layup attempt was blocked. The Pirates then had a chance to tie or win the game after a Villanova turnover, but the Pirates turned the ball over on the inbound. The Pirates would ultimately fall to Villanova by a score of 72-71.

The Wildcats were led by Josh Hart with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Kris Jenkins had 12 points and 4 assists for Villanova. Ryan Arcidiacono and Mikal Bridges each posted 10 points. Darryl Reynolds grabbed 8 boards and Jalen Brunson chipped in 9 points.

The Pirates were led by Isaiah Whitehead with 21 points and 5 assists. Khadeen Carrington added 17 points and Desi Rodriguez chipped in 14. Angel Delgado posted 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Ismael Sanogo grabbed 8 rebounds as well for the Hall.

With the win the Wildcats improve to 17-2 overall and 7-0 in Big East play. With the loss the Pirates fall to 13-5 overall and 3-3 in Big East play. The Wildcats will return home to take on the Providence Friars on Saturday. The Pirates will head to Cincinnati on Saturday to take on the Xavier Musketeers.

We would again like to thank Larry Flynn for all of his help this year. He is a terrific journalist and has a wealth of information on Villanova basketball. Give him a follow and check out his stuff! Check out the PPI to see which Pirates stood out. We will have full coverage of the Xavier game on Saturday. Until then, Hazard Zet Forward.

PPI vs Villanova (2)

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Inside the Enemy Ship: Villanova Wildcats, Home Edition

VU Basketball

Welcome to our latest edition of “Inside the Enemy Ship”, once again featuring the Villanova Wildcats. We will once again be talking to Larry Flynn, a junior English major at Villanova University, as well as an alumni of Villanova (who happens to be a personal friend of mine), Stephen Fortino! Since the formation of the “new” Big East, #4 Villanova is the highest ranked opponent to come to the Prudential Center, and the excitement can be felt all around the campus. Now, we will turn to our Villanovan friends to see what they think!

BBA: Now that we are well into Big East Conference play, how do you see the rest of the regular season playing out for Villanova? Any games on the schedule that are particularly worrisome to you?\
FLYNN: I envision another two losses for Villanova during conference play, finishing the regular season with four losses. The toughest games left on the schedule are probably against Providence and a rematch with Xavier at Cintas Center, but tonight’s matchup against Seton Hall certainly has potential to be a trap game. I’m most worried about this Saturday should be a tough matchup against the feisty, super-talented Providence Friars. Their overall quickness, athleticism, and talent are a bad matchup for any team in America, including Villanova.
FORTINO: You never know in the Big East. On any given day any team can beat their Big East rival. I tend to worry more about Providence this year.

BBA: Do you think Nova will end up as The Big East Tournament Champions?
FLYNN: As I’ve said, I think the Big East is Villanova’s to lose. Unless they experience a maddening heartbreak (like the loss to Seton Hall two years ago), the Wildcats should win the tournament for the second year in a row. It will definitely be tougher this year, however; with a deeper conference, more teams need to make a run in the Big East Tournament to have a shot at the NCAA Tournament (consider teams like Georgetown of Seton Hall).
FORTINO: Yes I do, Providence is the team I worry about. There are several really good teams and as you know, in the Big East, teams just beat on each other. It may be the most physical conference in the country.

BBA: Best guess, what seed will Nova be in the NCAA tournament?
FLYNN: 2, but I might be selling this team short.
FORTINO: I think they will end up a 2 seed.

BBA: Do you consider Seton Hall any sort of rival to Villanova, especially after their important games over the past few seasons?
FLYNN: Most don’t consider Seton Hall a rival, although the geographic connection occasionally makes for an overlap of fans. Any Big East game, however, has added incentive.
FORTINO: Actually Seton Hall has been one of the teams that has been a thorn in Villanova’s side. I know last year SH had just cracked the top 20 and then Villanova crushed them and the slide started for Seton Hall. Seton Hall has a well coached team and you never know.

BBA: In this match-up, do you think the environment of the Prudential Center could prove problematic?
FLYNN: Absolutely. Any road games in the Big East are up for grabs. Don’t forget, Villanova’s only losses last season came on the road, to Georgetown and none other than Seton Hall. The Pirates must use this history as motivation, while the Wildcats will try to forget the past and improve to 7-0 in the conference.
FORTINO: I don’t think so. I think a smaller venue might be more problematic. You might see as many Nova fans in that big building as you would Seton Hall Fans.*

BBA: Which player(s) should Seton Hall be most worried about meeting on the court? Why?
FLYNN: Josh Hart has been the leader of this Villanova team. With an expanded offensive game, Hart has led the team in scoring on most games thus far this season. He will be a load for the Pirates to handle, no doubt about it.
FORTINO: Jalen Brunson is a terrific freshmen, Daniel Ochefu is a force on the inside and if Ryan Archidiacano heats it up look out.

BBA: Final Score Prediction?
FLYNN: 66-59, Villanova wins
FORTINO: 80-68 Nova Win

We would like to thank both Mr. Flynn and Fortino for taking their time to talk with us this week; we literally couldn’t do this segment without you! Tip-off is at 9 PM tonight at the Prudential Center, and can be watched on the CBS Sports Network or online. As always, Hazard Zet Forward.

*EDITOR’S NOTE: Very harsh, but hard to argue based on the past. Pirates, let’s prove him wrong today!

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Pirates Flatten Friars

Photo Provided Courtesy Of Madeline Wilson

The Seton Hall Pirates traveled to Providence, Rhode Island to take on the #12 ranked Providence College Friars. The Pirates ended up coming away with a huge win as they defeated Providence 81-72. Before the game we spoke with Kevin McNamara of The Providence Journal. His interview can be seen in our previous post, and we would again like to extend a big thank you to him for his great insight.

The first half was a slug fest. The two teams fought back and forth in what was a very tight first half. The Friars opened the scoring with a steal and layup from Kris Dunn. The two teams exchanged leads throughout the first half. The Pirates took a 6-4 lead on an alley oop from Desi Rodriguez. This was answered by a three pointer from Junior Lomomba to give Providence a 7-6 lead. With 6:10 remaining in the first half, Dunn made a layup to tie the game at 23. From this point on, the Pirates would lead from wire to wire. The Pirates would ultimately end the half with a 10 point lead. At the end of the first half the Pirates led 38-28.

The Friars were led in the firs half by Kris Dunn with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Junior Lomomba hit a pair of three pointers and had 6 points in the first half. Ben Bentil tied Kris Dunn for the team lead in rebounds with 4 in the first half. The Friars took a beating on the boards in the first half as they grabbed 18 rebounds to 29 for Seton Hall. The Friars shot 27% from the floor as well as 14.3% from beyond the arc in the first half.

The Pirates were led in the first half by Isaiah Whitehead with 10 points and 5 assists. Khadeen Carrington and Desi Rodriguez each scored 8 points in the first half. The Pirates were led on the glass by Angel Delgado and Ismael Sanogo. Delgado led the team with 7 rebounds while Sanogo grabbed 6. The Pirates shot 48.6% from the floor in the first half and 25% from beyond the arc.

The Pirates came out strong to start the second half. They added on their lead and increased it to as much as 13 on multiple occasions. The Friars would cut the Pirates lead to 6 at one point but would never get any closer. Every time Providence seemed to grab the momentum the Pirates would respond. A big moment in the game came with 3:02 remaining in the second half when Kris Dunn fouled out. Dunn is one of the best guards and the country and the Pirates did a fine job keeping him in check. In the end, the Pirates would come away with an 81-72 victory over the #12 ranked Providence College Friars.

The Friars were led by Ben Bentil with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Kris Dunn added 16 points and 5 rebounds for PC. Rodney Bullock chipped in 11 points and 3 blocks, and Kyron Cartwright posted 10 points and 4 assists. The Friars just could not get shots to fall tonight. Providence only shot 30.1% from the field.

The Pirates were led by Khadeen Carrington with 22 points on the night. Derrick Gordon and Isaiah Whitehead each scored 15 points for the Pirates. Gordon grabbed 7 rebounds and also provided excellent defense on Kris Dunn. Whitehead distributed 7 assists for the Hall. Desi Rodriguez also scored in double figures as he put up 10 points. Angel Delgado and Ismael Sanogo had 11 and 10 rebounds apiece, respectively. This was a big win for the Hall as they bounced back from two conference losses.

The Friars fall to 15-3 with the loss and 3-2 in Big East play. The Pirates improve to 13-4 overall and 3-2 in the Big East. The Friars will host the Butler Bulldogs on Tuesday night. The Pirates will return to the Prudential Center on Wednesday for a huge tilt against the Villanova Wildcats at 9 p.m. The Pirates will be looking to avenge a 72-63 loss from January 6.

We would again like to give a big thank you to Kevin McNamara. He is a terrific follow on twitter @KevinMcNamara33. Make sure to give him a follow! Check out the PPI below to see which Pirates players had the biggest contributions tonight. We will be live at the Villanova game on Wednesday. Until then, Hazard Zet Forward.

PPI vs Providence

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Inside the Enemy Ship: Providence College

Tough Shot
Welcome to the latest edition of “Inside the Enemy Ship”! In this edition, we had the pleasure of talking to Kevin McNamara of The Providence Journal! A great journalist and basketball writer, Mr. McNamara gave us some great insight into Providence College basketball.

BBA: When the season started, where did you see the Friars going?
MCNAMARA: I saw the Friars finishing fifth in the league and being a bubble NCAA Tournament team. They obviously have greatly eclipsed that prediction thus far this season.

BBA: Is Kris Dunn a legimate player of the year canidate? How do you see his game translating to the next level?
MCNAMARA: I think Kris and Melo Trimble of Maryland are the two best guards in the country. So, yes, he is in the discussion for National Player of the Year. Interestingly the so-called favorite Ben Simmons of LSU plays on a team that may not even make the NCAA’s. That should hinder his prospects and perhaps helps Dunn’s. I think Dunn is a gifted passer and athlete, a better athlete than at least half the NBA’s starting point guards. When he’s surrounded by big-time scorers in the NBA, his passing skills will really stand out.

BBA: Given the success of Ed Cooley, how long do you think he remains at PC?
MCNAMARA: Cooley is a unique fit at Providence given that he is from the city. I do not see many college jobs outside the so-called blue bloods that he would leave for. This Providence job now with the $1 million-plus salary, charter travel, large staff and practice facility coming on-line is very different than the one that previous PC coaches held.

BBA: How much impact do you think the Patriots game will have as far as home court advantage during the game?
MCNAMARA: Dramatic impact. A crowd that would have been north of 10,000 will not happen. Tough to guess on how many people eat their tickets to stay home and watch Pats and Friars on TV but it will be a few thousand, at a minimum.

BBA: Who do you consider PC’s biggest Big East rival?
MCNAMARA: That’s a really tough call. I would say Villanova only because they have the best program in the league and always attract a sellout to Providence. PC has already sold out VNova and Georgetown games.

BBA: Is this the year that Williard’s Pirates finally make NCAA Tournament?
MCNAMARA: I thought so before that Creighton game. That raised a few too many eyebrows. Chemistry is always an issue with a program stocked with New York/New Jersey kids. Kevin’s teams play very hard and I like their talent, although most of the key guys are still sophomores.

BBA: When push comes to shove, who do you think will end up being the Big East Regular Season Champion?
MCNAMARA: Villanova

BBA: Who should the Pirates be worried about meeting on the court? Why?
MCNAMARA: Not sure what you mean here. If you mean which Big East team, clearly Villanova as the top dog. If you mean at Providence, Mr. Dunn.

BBA: Outside of their “Big 3” of Dunn, Bentil, and Bullock, which PC player do you think will have the biggest impact on the game?
MCNAMARA: Ryan Fazekas is due for a good 3-pt shooting game after recovering from Mono.

BBA: Final Score Prediction?
MCNAMARA: PC, 68-62

Once again, we’d like to thank Mr. Kevin McNamara for his insight on Providence College basketball. He can be found on twitter @KevinMcNamara33. Also check him out on This Week in the Big East, a podcast that discusses the action in the Big East. You can find the podcast by clicking here. We will have full coverage of the game tomorrow. Until then, Hazard Zet Forward.

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