Seton Hall
Preview: No. 21 Seton Hall Hosts Bethune-Cookman to Begin Homestand
Date: November 27, 2021By: Heaven Hill
Seton Hall Athletics
After rebounding with a win against Cal last Wednesday in the Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off, the Pirates return to Newark, N.J. to take on Bethune-Cookman at noon.
Leaving Fort Myers with a W.#HALLin ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/nvDambPP9v
— Seton Hall Men's Basketball (@SetonHallMBB) November 25, 2021
After dropping their first game in Fort Myers, Fla. against Ohio State, the Pirates wanted to come out and send a message against the Golden Bears. However, Cal would not go down without a fight, as the two squads traded buckets throughout the evening.
Down the stretch, it was the Pirates’ off-season acquisitions of the past two seasons making clutch plays, including this deep three from Bryce Aiken to give the Pirates a lead.
Standing TALL @BryceAiken knocks it down to put @SetonHallMBB back on top pic.twitter.com/7Et8I48nkR
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) November 25, 2021
Wednesday’s game also featured changes to the starting lineup, as Tyrese Samuel and Jabari Long came in for Ike Obiagu and Kadary Richmond, respectively.
The shift must’ve sent a message to Richmond, as the Syracuse transfer responded with his best game of the season. He had 12 of Seton Hall’s 14 bench points and made several plays on defense to turn the tide of the matchup.
WHAT A SEQUENCE @SetonHallMBB pic.twitter.com/D5G4Z7C4wp
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) November 24, 2021
Kadary Richmond is getting more comfortable at Seton Hall (12PTS-3REB-2STL-1BLK). The two way, big lead guard (6'6) made plays downhill w/ his imposing combo of physical tools, crafty handle and pacing. Showed off his defensive versatility and ridiculous recovery speed and length pic.twitter.com/V7DzUOw5PP
— Jam Hines (@jamontheboards) November 25, 2021
And to cap it all off, Jared Rhoden scored 21 points, adding seven rebounds and drawing 10 fouls on various Cal defenders. As the vocal leader and soul of the team, his offense was on full display in the victory.
Jared Rhoden w/ 21PTS-7REB-3STL vs Cal. Natural scorer that attacked all night (12-15 FTA) and flashed his multi level shot making + NBA size (6’6/210lbs), touch and functional handle. More engaged defensively this year and utilizing his length more to be a disruptive defender pic.twitter.com/VrTmdpUQaC
— Jam Hines (@jamontheboards) November 25, 2021
Now, the Pirates face off against Bethune-Cookman. The Wildcats dropped their last game versus Liberty 59-51, with sophomore guard Joe French scoring 25 points in the defeat.
French also scored 20 points when the Wildcats upset Bryant in the Sunshine Slam tournament for Bethune-Cookman’s first win since March of 2020. French is shooting 41% from three-point range, which is third best in the SWAC, and limiting him will be key to a Pirates win.
Seton Hall will also have to stop talented center Dylan Robertson, who was just named the SWAC Impact Player of the Week for his dominance in the Sunshine Slam tournament. Robertson posted 34 points on 64% from the field to go along with nine rebounds and four blocks in two games.
Congratulations to Dylan Robertson on being named this week's @theswac Impact Player of the Week! pic.twitter.com/OW4DAkjnc4
— BCU MBB (@BCUhoops) November 24, 2021
Robertson is second on the Wildcats in scoring, first in rebounds, and he averages the most minutes-per-game on the roster. He also currently leads the SWAC in field goal percentage and ranks third in blocks-per-game. After facing off against interior presences like Hunter Dickinson, EJ Liddell and Andre Kelly, the Pirates frontcourt will have their hands full yet again.
Seton Hall will look to pick up a win against Bethune-Cookman in their first game against each other. This is the start of a five-game homestand for the Pirates, with every game more important than the last. Be sure to tune into 89.5 FM WSOU at 12 p.m. as Jimmy Bliss and Joe Matthews will be on the call live from Prudential Center.
Heaven Hill is the Sports Director at 89.5 FM WSOU and can be reached at wsou.sports@gmail.com.
Posted in: Men's Basketball, Sports, WSOU