Seton Hall Looks to Stay Hot as They Begin BIG EAST Play in Providence

Published: Thursday, December 18, 2025

by Darren Worrell

PROVIDENCE R.I.- With non-conference action completed, the Seton Hall Pirates (10-1, 0-0) travel 198 miles to take on a very familiar opponent in the Providence Friars (7-5, 0-1) at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Friday night.

This game marks the 117th time that both teams have faced off against each other with the Friars holding a 60-56 advantage over the Pirates. Last season, the Friars won both matchups against the Pirates with the first win coming in Providence on January 11th by a score of 91-85, and then on January 28th in Newark by a score of 69-67.

Coming into this matchup, the Pirates took down Rutgers in the Garden State Hardwood Classic, 81-59.  Adam “Budd” Clark was named the Joe Calabrese MVP after recording 16 points, seven assists, and four steals. He was also named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll for his performance.

The Pirates have surprised many people this year. Before the season started, they were projected to finish last in the BIG EAST Preseason Poll, and while the season just started, they have given the Pirate faithful a lot of optimism and excitement as to what lies ahead.

They have defeated several solid opponents, including the then #23 NC state Wolfpack by 11 points and Kansas State by 11 points. Their only defeat came against USC by two points.

Seton Hall has the seventh best scoring defense in the nation, allowing just 61.6 points per game and holding nine of 11 opponents under 70 points. They are also fifth in the nation in blocks per game averaging 6.6.

This year’s Pirates team has very impressive depth, as anyone can score on any given night. AJ Staton-McCray leads the team in scoring with 14.3 points per game, Tajuan Simpkins, who has been vital to the team’s success off the bench is right behind him with 10.8 points per game, and Clark is averaging 10.2 points per game. Seven players on this team are averaging at least 7 points per game.

Looking at Providence, they enter this game after a 113-110 double overtime loss to the Butler Bulldogs, to open Big East Play. Providence brings in 10 new faces and five returners, with Jason Edwards leading the team in scoring with 19.2 points per game, but just like the Pirates, their depth is amazing as four other players are scoring in double figures.

The Friars lead the BIG EAST in three categories, scoring with (91. 7 points per game), free throw percentage at (79%), and defensive rebounds (28.7 per game).

The Pirates will have their hands full in this one, as slowing down Edwards must be the top priority, but also out-rebounding them should be focused heavily on as well.

Tune into 89.5 FM WSOU as Jack Pine and Jacob Glick will be on the call for this game at 6:30 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6 p.m. where Ryan Nelke and Nick DiBlasi will preview the game.

Darren Worrell can be reached at darren.worrell@student.shu.edu.

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