These guys lost a lot, but they didn’t lose their coach
If you thought Seton Hall would follow the Xavier mold of winning the NIT and then keeping that core together for another run, you were tragically wrong. Last season, the Pirates exceeded expectations by a considerable amount. They didn’t light up the non-conference schedule, but were a force in Big East play, ended 13-7 and finished 4th in the league. A few of the biggest reasons for that success are not walking through that door this year.
A large contributor to Seton Hall’s success was head coach Shaheen Holloway. Holloway returns for his third season at the helm, and will be looking to overachieve again. Since taking on sideline responsibilities at his alma mater, Holloway had produced two teams that placed inside the top 35 of KenPom’s defensive efficiency. The offense has not always looked pretty, but Holloway got enough of a tune out of his players to have an excellent season that should have landed them in the dance. They did still win the NIT, and all trophies count.
Seton Hall brings back almost nothing from their group that surprised everyone last year, but there are a few familiar names. Dylan Addae-Wusu is, somehow, still in college and is expected to take on more offensive responsibilities. He shot poorly from three in his first season as a Pirate, but was a solid perimeter defender on a squad that leaned on its defense. The dude is also thicker than the windows on a submarine. Isaiah Coleman is another guy that will have an expanded role as he returns for his sophomore season. Coleman was a low usage guy who averaged a tick over 5 points a game and just over 2 rebounds. He did not light it up from deep, but did shoot 55% from inside the arc and was solid at the free throw line.
As most of the core pieces from last year moved on, Holloway had to fill up a roster using the portal. Garwey Dual comes over from Providence, so he is at least accustomed to the conference. The downside to that is that he was not very good. While he was a good defender, his offensive game soured the overall product. Dual does fit the defensive mindset that Holloway’s teams have had, so this is far from a terrible get. Another guy coming in with a season of high major experience under his belt is Scotty Middleton. Middleton had a solid season for OSU in his limited minutes. He is also the kind of player I enjoy as he shot 44% from three and a miserable 35% inside the arc. *chef’s kiss*
The Pirates lost their go-to guy to a conference rival, and their best shooter to the sands of time. How about a guy who could be both of those things? I give you Chaunce Jenkins. Jenkins began his career at Wichita St., barely played, moved to Old Dominion, lost a bunch of games and shot nearly every time he touched the ball. This team will need a gunner in their lineup and Jenkins may be the dude.
So, what is the outlook for this team? I think Holloway is going to cook up another solid defense, but I don’t see this team scoring enough. Addae-Wusu has had good shooting seasons with low usage in the past. Middleton has also shot well in a small sample size and Jenkins has gotten buckets as a volume scorer. Even if those three are the best versions of themselves, Coleman and Dual will need to make a big jump on offense. The defense will win the Pirates enough games to keep them out of the basement, but the lack of offense keeps this guys at the bottom portion of the middle of the pack*.
*Between 7th and 9th place. That wording made no sense.