Credit: GR Productions
Seton Hall Set for Third Meeting with Creighton in BIG EAST Tournament Quarterfinal
Published: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
by AJ Rayer
NEW YORK, N.Y. - After being picked eleventh in the BIG EAST preseason poll and finishing fourth, the Seton Hall Pirates (20-11, 10-10) are preparing to make another run in the BIG EAST tournament at Madison Square Garden, as they take on fifth seeded Creighton, (15-16, 9-11) in the Quarterfinal round.
The Pirates’ season has been full of ups and downs, with impressive highs and difficult setbacks. With just one loss on the Pirates’ resume to USC entering conference play, Seton Hall got off to a 4-1 start in the BIG EAST. The run was highlighted by a double-digit second half comeback at home against the Bluejays, featuring a last second putback layup by Najai Hines.
Entering their January 13th home contest against UConn, the Pirates were ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since January 2022. However, the 69–64 loss marked the beginning of a difficult stretch, as it sparked a four-game losing streak and brought the momentum the Pirates had built to a sudden halt.
In their second matchup with Creighton out in Omaha on February 7th, the Bluejays overcame a nine point deficit in the final 90 seconds to take down the Pirates. The Hall made several crucial mistakes down the stretch that was capped off by a game-winning Nick Graves left wing three with just three seconds remaining. Budd Clark finished with 20 points to lead the Pirates in the heartbreaking loss.
During the final weeks of the regular season, the Pirates found themselves on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble, needing a statement win against either St. John's or UConn. Seton Hall battled hard in Storrs, but AJ Staton-McCray’s 20 points were not enough as the Pirates fell 71–67 to UConn, with late-game execution once again proving costly.
On senior night against the Johnnies in Newark, the Pirates got off to a cold start from the field. Although they cut the deficit to three at the half, St. John’s was able to regain control in the final ten minutes and cruise to a 72-65 win.
Long respected by his peers in the conference, Coach Holloway has continued to prove why with the job he has done at his alma mater this season. Holloway has already been named the Associated Press (AP) coach of the year for the BIG EAST, with more conference honors expected to follow in the coming days.
Clark led the Pirates in scoring in the regular season at 12.4 PPG, but also finished sixth in the conference in assists at 4.7 APG, and fourth in steals at 2.0 SPG. Clark was named to the BIG EAST All-Conference Second Team and All-Defensive Team.
If the Pirates are going to make a run this weekend at the Garden, their defense will need to be at its strongest all season. As a team, the Pirates rank 13th in the nation in defensive efficiency according to KenPom and rank first in the BIG EAST in scoring defense and Blocks per game.
If Hines and Stephon Payne can continue to have a paint presence and outrebound Creighton’s Issac Traudt and Jasen Green, the Pirates should have the upper hand.
With the stakes rising and a semifinal spot on the line, Pirates and Bluejays fans could be in for another nail-biter. Lauren Reese and Jack Pine will have the call from Madison Square Garden as the Pirates open postseason play against Creighton. Coverage will begin Thursday at 2:00 p.m. on WSOU 89.5 FM ahead of a 2:30 p.m. tip-off.
AJ Rayer can be reached at alexander.rayer@student.shu.edu.Posted in: sports,