Game preview: Seton Hall begins season against Wagner in Walsh Gym

Date: November 4, 2019

By: Ben Harris

The Seton Hall men's basketball team will open their regular season at home in Walsh Gymnasium on Tuesday, November 5, at 6:30 p.m. against the Wagner Seahawks.

 

The Pirates enter this season ranked 12th in the nation by the Associated Press, and have also been voted as the conference favorite in the Big East Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Star senior guard Myles Powell has been receiving individual recognition as well, being named the Big East Preseason Player of the Year, and making the Associated Press Preseason All-American team.

 

This will be the second straight season that the Pirates open the season against Wagner. Seton Hall came out victorious, winning the matchup last season by a lopsided 89-49 margin. Powell led the Pirates in scoring dropping 30 points in an impressive shooting performance, going 10/13 from the field and 5/7 from behind the arc. A.J. Sumbry led the Seahawks in points, posting a solid 12.

 

Going into this season, the Pirates are in prime position to be a serious contender across the college basketball landscape. After losing just one player, Michael Nzei, to graduation this offseason, the 2019-2020 squad looks to build upon what they had last season. After a disappointing first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament to Wofford, this experienced Seton Hall team wants to begin its road back to March with a win.

 

The Pirates will be led by Powell, as well as Quincy McKnight and Myles Cale among others. McKnight is the Hall's best defender and Cale was second on the Pirates in scoring last season, averaging 10.2 points per game. Wagner comes into this game looking like a much different team than last season. The Seahawks top three scorers from last season have all moved on from the program, as Romone Saunders, Elijah Davis, and the previously mentioned Sumbry. This new-look squad will loom to 6-foot-7-inch forward, Nigel Jackson to step up his point production this season. 

 

Similarly to last year's matchup, this Wagner game is seen as more of a warmup than a challenge. The Pirates will be able to test their talent against a Division I school and see what works. But the result will likely be similar to last year's blowout.

 

WSOU will bring you the action over the airwaves, for this game, and all season long. Michael Daly and Joe Cammarota will be on the call for this matchup, so make sure you tune in to 89.5 FM for the Pirates season opener!

 

Ben Harris can be reached at benjamin.harris@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: Sports, WSOU, Men's Basketball