Seton Hall
2017-2018 Men's Basketball Preview
Date: November 6, 2017
(Photo: SHU Athletics)
Basketball season is right around the corner. With the season set to tip off on Friday at Prudential Center, expectations surrounding this year's Pirates team are sky-high. Will they deliver with a third straight NCAA Tournament berth? We asked some of the guys here at WSOU Sports to weigh in on the 2017-2018 Seton Hall Pirates.
Kevin Huebler, WSOU Sports Director
@Hueblerkevin
Overall Record: 24-7
The Core Fore have all the hype surrounding them, and for good reason. After being doubted last year, and not expected to compete in 2015-16, this is Kevin Willard's deepest group, according to the eighth-year head coach. Angel Delgado will once again be a double-double machine and should be the nation's best big man. Khadeen Carrington is feeling more confident running the point. And there's a bunch of talented freshmen and sophomores on this Pirates squad. The only two non-conference losses I see are the second game of the NIT Season Tip-off against either Vanderbilt or Virginia and the matchup at Louisville on Dec. 3.
John Pirsos, WSOU Assistant Sports Director
@JohnPirsos
Overall Record: 23-8
The Pirates have a tough non-conference schedule. But it really boils down to the five-game stretch of Rhode Island, Vanderbilt/Virginia, Texas Tech, Louisville, and VCU. Out of those six teams, Texas Tech was the only one to not make the Tournament last year, but they will probably be back this year. Rhode Island will be a tough game, but I think the Hall grinds out a win. I think the Pirates fall to Virginia the next day because the Cavaliers are always an excellent defensive team and the Pirates have struggled scoring against really good defensive teams. Texas Tech is six days later, so the Pirates have plenty of time to prepare and bounce back and that's why I think they win that one. The game at Louisville will most likely be a loss. It's a very difficult place to play on the road, the Cardinals are very athletic, and it's only three days after the Texas Tech game. Lastly, VCU is a very good team and they play tough defense. The Pirates will be challenged but the Hall has six days off in between games which is plenty of time to give an experienced team. I think Seton Hall wins, but don't be surprised if that comes down to the wire. The Pirates should go unbeaten in their remaining eight non-conference games and finish 11-2 entering Big East play.
Michael Lovero, WSOU Assistant Sports Director
@mlovero30
Overall Record 23-8
The Seton Hall Pirates come off another season where they return their four starters, Delgado, Rodriguez, Carrington, and Sanogo, but this time they are all seniors. The window is closing for their chance to make a splash during March Madness, and they have to go through a gauntlet of a non-conference schedule to do so. The record I predict them going seems about fair to think, where they can go 11-2 in non-conference play. The only two non-conference losses I see the Pirates dropping are at Louisville and the second game of the NIT Season Tip-off to either Virginia or Vanderbilt. The non-conference slate will challenge to see how competitive the seniors are when playing some talented schools, but will also be a proving ground for some of the younger players. Carrington will shift from shooting guard to point guard this season, which will be interesting to see what will happen with his points per game number. Though he seems like the obvious choice because of his veteran leadership, he will have to cut down on his turnovers during the non-conference slate. Myles Powell looked outstanding during the Blue vs. White scrimmage and showed improvements in attacking the rim. If he can master the ability to cut to the basket, he could be the pure scorer that the Pirates may be missing with Carrington moving to point guard. Also, learn how to pronounce Mamukelashvili, because the freshman is one of the players to look out for coming off the bench. If Seton Hall can find a reliable and deep bench, they will be successful.
Matt Ambrose, WSOU Assistant Sports Director
@mambrose97
Overall Record: 24-7
Can Khadeen Carrington handle the point guard position? Can Angel Delgado replicate his dominant 2016-2017 season? Can the new faces on this roster make an immediate impact? The 23rd ranked Pirates will have to answer these questions in a season where the expectations in South Orange are the highest they've been since the early 90's. Kevin Willard's bunch will be tested in the non-conference slate, including a tough five-game stretch against Rhode Island, Vanderbilt/Virginia, Texas Tech, Louisville and VCU. All but one of those teams made the NCAA Tournament last season. I expect all those games to be close, but I only see them coming up short against Louisville in a closer game than most will anticipate. What will benefit the Pirates most in non-conference is their light travel load. The Pirates play just one game outside the NY/NJ area prior to BIG EAST play. This is a deep team, with balance in the frontcourt and backcourt that will surely carry them into March for the third straight season.
Jose Feliciano, WSOU Assistant Sports Director
@JFeliciano1101
Overall Record: 23-9
It has been awhile since Seton Hall had a team as good as this. Now ranked #23 in the AP poll, Seton Hall is primed for yet another good season. Their non-conference schedule is a good challenge early on for the Pirates as they take on four teams that made the big dance last year. I expect a slight bump in the AP poll by the end of the non-conference play, as I see Seton Hall dominating majority of the competition. That being said, the Pirates will have a tough matchup in Louisville that could go either way. I expect them to go 11-2 in non-conference play. Overall, the Pirates will be a force in the Big East and I think will finish with a 23-9 record on the season. I don't foresee a Big East title win, but they are due for a run in March.
Angelo Maltese, WSOU Staff Representative
@Amalt_21
Overall Record: 20-11
The Pirates are all set for an exciting new season with a strong non-conference schedule. The will remain in the tri-state area for the most part, but will have an exciting encounter at Louisville to highlight the non-conference slate. The team is reloaded this year with a lot of talent at all positions. The depth of Coach Willard's squad will be tested with marquee games against the likes of Louisville, Indiana, Rhode Island, and the potential foe of Virginia or Vanderbilt. I'm looking forward to seeing the team matchup with in-state rivals as well, as the schedule boasts all but one of the Division I schools in New Jersey. This is a big way for Seton Hall to prove they are the top dog in the Garden State. I have the Hall finishing the non-conference schedule with a record of 9-4.
Tim Best, WSOU Sports Contributor
@TheRealTimmyIce
Overall Record: 25-6
Despite being No. 23 in both the AP and Coaches polls and with all the experience they have coming back, the Seton Hall Pirates still have a lot to prove this season. It's always good to have the nation's leading rebounder coming back in Angel Delgado, but their depth is what will make the 2017-18 Pirates the program's best team in a quarter-century. Their non-conference schedules have gotten tougher year-by-year, and this year's slate is the toughest yet, as they face seven schools from conferences that produced multiple NCAA tournament teams a year ago. They have finished 10-2 in non-conference play in each of the last three seasons, but I see them entering Big East play with a 12-1 mark with the only loss coming at Louisville.
Matt Lapolla, WSOU Sports Contributor
@MatthewLapolla
Overall Record: 23-8
Many people were surprised when the Pirates won the Big East Tournament two seasons ago. But now, the days of miracle runs in early March are over. This is a team that not only should contend for the conference title, but a team that should go deep into the NCAA Tournament. At the very least, a team with three 1,000-point scorers should make it out of the first round. Their non-conference slate will definitely prepare them for a run, facing historic programs like Indiana and Louisville. Keep an eye out for the November 24 matchup against Virginia or Vanderbilt, as both of those teams were top 50 in RPI last season.
Matt Lamb, WSOU Sports Contributor
@MattS_Lamb
Overall Record: 21-9
The Seton Hall Pirates are looking to both rebound from two straight first-round NCAA Tournament losses and live up to the big expectations set for themselves this season. An overall record of 21-9 is a reachable goal for this team. The Pirates have really revved up their schedule in the non-conference slate, landing the second-best New Jersey squad in Monmouth, and a Gavitt game against Indiana as part of a three-game home stand to open up the regular season at the Prudential Center, which will help ease Seton Hall into tougher games. The Pirates drew noteworthy and formidable programs to their schedule, such as Vanderbilt/Virginia, VCU, and a game at Louisville. The maturation of Angel Delgado, the development of Khadeen Carrington as a point guard, and the methods that Kevin Willard utilizes for his extremely deep team will all play a role in how well Seton Hall succeeds. A mix of senior veterans and impressive freshman will be key factors for this team. I think the Pirates will handle the tough yet favorable schedule well, going 10-3 in the non-conference.
