Pirates Return To The Rock To Face Monmouth

Published: Saturday, November 30, 2024

by Miguel Freire

After a third-place finish at the Charleston Classic, the Seton Hall Pirates (4-3) return to the Prudential Center for a matchup with the winless Monmouth Hawks (0-8) on Saturday afternoon.  

Seton Hall, with five days’ rest since its last game, begins a three-game homestand against Monmouth on Friday. The Pirates are led by Old Dominion transfer Chaunce Jenkins, who is averaging 14.1 points per game. Jenkins has scored in double figures in five of seven games this season and will look to continue his strong form against a Monmouth team with the second-worst defense in the CAA.

Isaiah Coleman has been a bright spot for Seton Hall this season, coming off arguably his best week in a Pirates uniform. He recorded his first collegiate double-double against VCU and scored a career-high 20 points against Vanderbilt. His performance earned him a spot on the Charleston Classic All-Tournament Team and the Big East Weekly Honor Roll.

While Jenkins and Coleman will receive much of the spotlight, an under-the-radar player to watch is freshman Jahseem Felton. After limited minutes early in the season, Felton played a career-high 15 minutes in the Pirates' victory over FAU on Sunday evening, scoring five points and recording two assists. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native is expected to see more playing time, potentially as the primary ball-handler, as head coach Shaheen Holloway continues to adjust rotations and evaluate the best player combinations.

Focusing on the Monmouth Hawks, they enter this game still searching for their first win of the season after dropping their first eight games. While head coach King Rice and his team have struggled, they shouldn’t be overlooked. When these teams met last season in Newark, Seton Hall narrowly defeated the Hawks, 70-61.

Monmouth is led by sophomore sensation Abdi Bashir Jr., who is averaging 19.5 points per game this season, ranking in the top 40 nationally as of Friday morning. Bashir has surpassed the 30-point mark twice this season, including a career-best 38 points in a losing effort against Rutgers. He will undoubtedly be at the top of Shaheen Holloway’s scouting report as the Pirates look to contain one of the nation’s top scorers.

With a victory, Seton Hall will move two games above .500 for the first time this season, while Monmouth is still seeking its first win. Tip-off is scheduled for noon, with live coverage beginning at 11:45 a.m. Chris Jones and Lauren Reese will have the call for 89.5 FM WSOU.

Miguel Freire can be reached at miguel.freire@student.shu.edu. 

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