Seton Hall vs. Saint Peter's Season-Opener Preview

Published: Sunday, November 2, 2025

by Ryan Nelke

NEWARK, N.J. - The Seton Hall Pirates (0-0) are set to kick off their 2025-26 season Monday night at the Prudential Center as they host the Saint Peter’s Peacocks (0-0).

Seton Hall head coach Shaheen Holloway is looking to write a much different story in the upcoming season, as last year’s campaign went south almost instantly.  After barely squeaking by the Peacocks in the 2024 opener, the Pirates followed that up by losing inside Walsh Gymnasium for the first time since 1989, in buzzer-beater fashion against Fordham.

This rough season also included disappointing non-conference losses to Hofstra and Monmouth, before going on to post a 2-18 record in BIG EAST play.

This 7-25 season led to widespread changes, featuring 11 new additions and only two key returners, being center Godswill Erheriene and guard Jahseem Felton.

These new additions are highlighted by Adam “Budd” Clark, AJ Staton-McCray, and Elijah Fisher, who all seem poised to play crucial roles for this squad in the new year.  Moreover, four-star recruit Najai Hines also figures to be a big part of Holloway’s plans for this team over the next several years.

Clark, the Merrimack transfer, ranked 23rd in the nation last year with 19.8 PPG, and was named to the All-MAAC First Team.  That said, Clark’s debut in blue and white has generated the most anticipation and hype this offseason, as many Pirate fans hope he can help bring Seton Hall back to their winning ways.

The rest of the Pirates additions include Jacob Dar, Tajuan Simpkins, Stephon Payne, Josh Rivera, Patrick Suemnick, Trey Parker, and Mike Williams.

On the opposing side, the 2024-25 season was not pretty for the Peacocks either, as they went 12-16, while finishing six games below .500 in MAAC conference play.

Bashir Mason remains their head coach as he enters his fourth season, and welcomes six new transfers as well as one true freshman.  Their six new transfers include Jahki Gupton, Lucas Scroggins, Shaedon Simpson, Bol Agu, J'Quan Ewing and Akil Watson, while the one true freshman is TJ Robinson.

Seton Hall will need to start strong out of the gates, as after their first several contests, their non-conference schedule closes out with several big name teams, featuring NC State, Kansas State, and Rutgers.

It will be interesting to see what this new-look Pirates team has to offer when they tip off against the Peacocks at 7:30 p.m. from the Prudential Center on Monday, with Jack Pine and AJ Rayer on the call for the season-opener.

Ryan Nelke is an Assistant Sports Director and can be reached at nelkerya@shu.edu.

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