WSOU

Preview: No. 21 Seton Hall Hosts Bethune-Cookman to Begin Homestand

Date: November 27, 2021

By: Heaven Hill

Seton Hall's Bryce Aiken avoids defenders during a Fort Myers Tip-Off game against Ohio State.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Seton Hall

Seton Hall

Merchandise

wsou store