Seton Hall Looks to Capture 10th Win of the Season In Latest Edition of the Garden State Hardwood Classic

Published: Friday, December 12, 2025

by Nick DiBlasi

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The Seton Hall Pirates (9-1) and Rutgers Scarlett Knights (5-5) prepare for the 76th matchup of Saturday night’s Garden State Hardwood Classic, with the Pirates looking to close out non-conference play with a bang. 

The 2025-26 season has been a whirlwind of emotions for the Seton Hall Pirates. Coming off a huge Big 12 win at Kansas State last Saturday night, the blue and white come into this rivalry game on fire.  Their 9-1 record thus far marks the Hall’s best start to the season since 2021-22. 

Seton Hall has got the job done on both ends of the floor, as they have logged 68 or more points in their first ten games for the first time since the 2017-18 season, along with ranking fourth nationally in team blocks per game with 6.6. 

With many newcomers this season, AJ Staton-McCray leads the charge with his 13.9 points per game. The Elon transfer, Tajuan Simpkins, has been among the Pirates top scorers, averaging 11.2 points per game off 53.8%shooting from the field. 

Perhaps the best signing for the Pirates has been true point guard Adam “Budd” Clark coming over from Merrimack. Clark took the MAAC by storm last season, averaging 22.0 points and 6.0 assists in 2024-25. 

Along with frequent block parties at the Prudential Center, Seton Hall is also ranked seventh nationally in turnover margin (+6.0). Their scoring defense currently ranks 11th in the nation (61.9), while they place 12th in the country with 10.7 steals per game. 

On the Scarlett Knights' side, losing two top NBA prospects in Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey has been frustrating, as the current group is .500 through its first ten matchups. After playing contests against teams from the SEC, ACC, Mountain West, and Big Ten, Rutgers will see action against a BIG EAST foe for the first time this season.
 
There are so many talented teams in the Big Ten this year, and Rutgers has happened to encounter two of the best in their last two outings. Harsh losses to Purdue and Michigan have contributed to their losing streak, which has been the toughest back-to-back opponents for the Scarlet Knights since the 2008-09 season. 

One positive from that two-game stretch is that Rutgers currently holds the top-rated conference strength of schedule NET ranking, which could help if they start stringing together some wins. The Scarlet Knights are desperate for a win to turn their season back around, as they have dropped five of their last six contests.  

Sophomore wing Dylan Grant leads Rutgers in scoring this season with 14.9 points per game, with an even 50% shooting effort. Although Grant did not see the court too often as a freshman, his scoring average has nearly tripled in 2025, scoring 149 points in 10 games throughout 2025 compared to only 124 points in 21 games in 2024. 

Another name to look out for is freshman Harun Zrno, who, upon entering the starting lineup against Michigan, has dropped 13 points in each conference match.  

Dating back to the 1919 season, Seton Hall leads the all-time series against Rutgers 42-33. In what has been a close rivalry over the last 30 meetings, 23 games have been decided by 6 or fewer points, with five contests going to extra time. 

Although Seton Hall historically has their rivals’ number, the Scarlet Knights have won the last two GSHC bouts, one of them being a nail-biter last season that culminated with a Dylan Harper buzzer-beater three-pointer for the win. 

If history is any indication, there will be no shortage of action in this year’s classic. Seton Hall is looking to continue their dominance, while Rutgers is trying to get back on track. This game will serve as an enormous turning point for both clubs and their aspirations for the current season.  Tune into 89.5 WSOU, as Lauren Reese and Jack Pine have the call, with tipoff set for 8 p.m.  

Nick DiBlasi can be reached at nicholas.diblasi@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: sports,