Boom Dual!

Stay tuned

For the first time in a long time we are not one injury away from the season being over.

Last 2 years we lose KR to injury the season is over….same with Rhoden, Mamu, Whitehead and absolutely Powell.

This year we are not relying on 1, 2 or 3 players. We could lose one or two good players and the season would not be over, not as good a season but we would be competitive.

We would have been in the bottom 4 last year without Kadary.

That is the definition of depth.

Slightly dated



NEW YORK (June 3, 2024) – In its continuing efforts to bolster the mental wellness of student-athletes, coaches and administrators, the BIG EAST Conference and Seton Hall University will team up to host the conference’s sixth annual Student-Athlete Well-Being Forum on June 4-5 on the Seton Hall campus.

The 2024 Forum will focus on supporting coaches in their efforts to lead student-athletes, maintain their own well-being and that of their staffs, and assist their schools in providing adequate resources to address ongoing mental wellness needs. The event will draw a broad group of attendees, including industry leaders, coaches, mental health specialists, athletic trainers, faculty, athletic administrators and student-athletes.

Prior Well-Being Forums were held at Xavier University (2023), the University of Connecticut (2022), Providence College (2019), Butler University (2018) and Georgetown University (2017). The event was suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We look forward to staging our sixth Well-Being Forum and furthering our efforts to help our athletes juggle the demands of sports, academics, extracurricular activities (including NIL pursuits) and everyday life,” said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman. “This year's program will highlight the evolving nature of student-athlete pressure points and the many ways in which coaches can address and promote mental wellness through awareness, training and self-care.”

Following opening remarks by Ackerman, the Forum’s first session, entitled “Mental Health Best Practices: Understanding and Supporting Student-Athlete Mental Health,” will be run by Alecia Fine, Associate Director of Health Promotion for the NCAA Sport Science Institute.

The Forum’s first panel is scheduled to begin at 1:45 p.m. ET and will address the unique challenges faced by students in balancing academic pursuits, athletic commitments, and personal growth. The conversation will be used as a platform for students, coaches, administrators, and healthcare professionals to explore holistic approaches to mental wellness within campus communities. Leading the discussions will be Ralph Reiff, Sr. Associate AD for Student-Athlete Health, Performance and Well-Being at Butler University, and Dr. Mark Pettus, Chief Medical Officer, Preventia.

The program will continue at 3 p.m. with a forum led by Celine Mangan, Vice President of ASP College at Altius Sports Partners and Carly Tower, Director, ASP College at Altius Sports Partners, focusing on the impact of name, image and likeness on team dynamics.

Tuesday’s featured speaker, Ivy Watts, who is trained in in the national Mental Health First Aid program, will close out the session by providing tools to help coaches and administrators recognize warning signs, have impactful conversations with their student-athletes, and implement self-care practices during their day-to-day routines.

Following a continental breakfast, the program will continue Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.

The keynote speaker on Wednesday is Betsy Butterick. Known as “The Coaches Coach,” Butterick meets individuals where they are and supports their growth and evolution, including through communications effectiveness. During the morning session, entitled “Relating to Today’s Student-Athlete: Effectively Coaching Gen Z,” participants will be presented with actionable ways to improve their communications skills with the college-aged demographic.

After a short break, participants will return for a conversation between BIG EAST Commissioner Ackerman and Dan Hurley, 2024 Naismith Werner Ladder national Coach of the Year and head coach of the back-to-back men’s basketball national champion UConn Huskies.

The Forum will be emceed by John Fanta, an announcer for FOX Sports and the BIG EAST Digital Network.

The BIG EAST:
The BIG EAST Conference is an association of 11 nationally prominent colleges and universities that foster healthy athletic competition, community service and the pursuit of excellence in academic environments. The BIG EAST-sponsored athletic programs of our institutions provide national-caliber participation opportunities for more than 3,800 student-athletes on over 200 men’s and women’s teams in 22 sports. Established in 1979 and headquartered in New York City, the BIG EAST’s members are located in eight of the country’s top 36 largest media markets and include Butler University, University of Connecticut, Creighton University, DePaul University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Providence College, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, Villanova University and Xavier University. For more information, visit www.bigeast.com.

Part 2 of our 3 part Q&A with Jerry Carino by Colin Rajala


Trove: Switching gears a little bit, there is at least one scholarship player left to fill out the 2024-2025 roster, but I wanted to get your opinion on the 24-25 basketball team as it currently stands. What are your expectations for the team?

Carino: It's just become harder than ever to project what teams are going to be because so many players are new on so many rosters. Not only do I not really know what to expect from Seton Hall, but I don’t know what to expect for most of the teams. It's a crapshoot. Every year I make predictions on Rutgers and Seton Hall in November and that’s after I’ve seen the team practice and after a whole preseason of writing about them.

This past year, I was the most wrong I've ever been because it's just so hard now with all of the musical chairs. I have an AP Top 25 vote and that preseason ballot is just throwing darts against the dart board now. You look back on it now and look how it shook out and it's embarrassing, but there's no real way to do it.

KenPom should not have preseason rankings. What are they even based on? KenPom should come out on December 1 or December 15 after a month or so of games where there's a lot of data, then start rolling from there. Even the AP Top 25, which has been around since the 1940s and serves as a valuable frame of historic reference, it’s hard to take these preseason polls seriously. That's in October and November, forget about the people coming out with stuff in May and June when these rosters aren’t even finalized yet. So, I don't really have a good answer for you there.

https://www.newsnationnow.com/world...with-surveys-suggesting-a-shift-to-the-right/

Instead of the TDS obsession, take a look at Europe. Crime and immigration prevailing in EU election results.

11 Coaches from College that went to the NBA...

only winners Donovan and Brad Stevens

Now that the roster is almost filled out what do you think the depth chart and minutes look like?

Jeff Borzello, ESPN Staff Writer

Miami Hurricanes transfer Wooga Poplar, one of the best players left in the portal, has committed to Villanova, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

Poplar visited Villanova last month and was also pursued by the likes of Oregon and Kentucky. He went through the NBA draft process and attended the G League Elite Camp before withdrawing his name ahead of last week's deadline.

A 6-foot-5 shooting guard, Poplar hit career highs across the board last season. He averaged 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists as a junior, shooting 38.5% from 3-point range.

Before the season, Miami coach Jim Larranaga said a breakout season was in store for the Philadelphia native.

"He looks like a pro," Larranaga told ESPN at ACC media day. "He looks like a first-round draft choice. He's a great 3-point shooter. He's perhaps the best pull-up jump shooter in the country, off the catch or off the bounce. He's a passionate defender. He's in for a big year."

Poplar was terrific to start the season, scoring at least 20 points in four of his first 11 games -- including 25 in a mid-December win over La Salle. His numbers tailed off in conference play, but he still managed to score 17 points against Pitt and 15 against Duke.

He's No. 16 in ESPN's transfer rankings.

Poplar marks a much-needed addition for Kyle Neptune and the Wildcats, coming a week after All-Big East big man Eric Dixon opted to return to Villanova for another season. Three other transfers could also feature in the starting lineup: Jhamir Brickus (La Salle), Tyler Perkins (Penn) and Enoch Boakye (Fresno State).

Next season will be a key one for Neptune, who has missed the NCAA tournament in each of his two seasons since taking over for Jay Wright in 2022.

The Philadelphia Inquirer was first to report Poplar's commitment.

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Very insightful info from John, who I imagine is as plugged in as one can be on Seton Hall basketball.

What are folks hearing? I’m sure many saw the Twitter post, which is on the fee board as well.

Big time talent that I would love to bring in despite the crowded backcourt.

Forgive me if this topic has been covered, I don't see a thread on this subject.

This morning, another site reported that Mbaye may be a walk-on and another commit will be forthcoming. Can anyone substantiate this rumor?

Last updated: June 5, 2024
by Jeff Borzello, ESPN Staff Writer

This is paysite info so I will only post the Big East and Rutgers players without the profile.

2024-25 transfer rankings: Where have the best players in the portal committed?

Where (nearly) every transfer in the top 100 -- and next-in-line -- has committed for the 2024-25 season.

www.espn.com

1. Kadary Richmond, 6-6, PG, Sr., Seton Hall Pirates
COMMITTED TO ST. JOHN'S

9. Clifford Omoruyi, 6-11, C, Sr., Rutgers Scarlet Knights
COMMITTED TO ALABAMA

16. Wooga Poplar, 6-5, SG, Jr., Miami Hurricanes
COMMITTED TO VILLANOVA

19. Pop Isaacs, 6-2, PG, Soph., Texas Tech Red Raiders
COMMITTED TO CREIGHTON

25. Deivon Smith, 6-0, PG, Sr., Utah Utes
COMMITTED TO ST. JOHN'S

27. Aidan Mahaney, 6-3, G, Soph., Saint Mary's Gaels
COMMITTED TO UCONN

35. Dre Davis, 6-6, SG, Sr., Seton Hall Pirates
COMMITTED TO OLE MISS

41. Tarris Reed Jr., 6-10, PF, Soph., Michigan Wolverines
COMMITTED TO UCONN

47. Desmond Claude, 6-6, G, Soph., Xavier Musketeers
COMMITTED TO USC

54. Malik Mack, 6-1, PG, Fr., Harvard Crimson
COMMITTED TO GEORGETOWN

63. TJ Bamba, 6-5, SG, Sr., Villanova Wildcats
COMMITTED TO OREGON

69. Ryan Conwell, 6-4, SG, Soph., Indiana State Sycamores
COMMITTED TO XAVIER

99. Garwey Dual, 6-5, SG, Fr., Providence Friars
COMMITTED TO SETON HALL

Part 1 of our 3 part Q&A with Jerry Carino by Colin Rajala



Trove: Jerry, thanks for taking some time out to speak with the Trove. It would be great to talk about Seton Hall’s NIT Championship. You were in Indianapolis for the championship game at Hinkle Fieldhouse and witnessed the Pirates comeback victory after surrendering the late lead – what was the experience like for those not in attendance?

What value, if any, did the Pirates get for playing in and ultimately winning that tournament?


Carino: First of all, the games in Walsh were absolutely electric. I feel like the atmosphere really lifted the team off the ground after the devastating Selection Sunday. I would include Shaheen Holloway in that as well. Sha was devastated by what happened, and the way the fans responded sent a message to him: we've got your back. I think he hadn't felt that message till that moment.

He came out of the NIT, especially those home games, with renewed appreciation for that. That's big, because you want to keep him here for a long time. In a way, a bond built there between the fans and Holloway through those games at Walsh. Just a unique, amazing experience.

With the final, we all would have liked the championship to be Madison Square Garden, but I have to say that Hinkle was just a fantastic substitute. It was the first time I had ever been there. The storied place is the perfect size and it was absolutely filled with Indiana States fans. Part of the reason why the NIT final was so good and got so much attention -- and you don't have to take my word for it – look at the viewership numbers, they were off the charts, right? More people watched that game than any other Seton Hall game all year. More people watched that game than several first-round NCAA Tournament games, including the first four round games.

My game story had the highest online readership for any I’ve ever written in 21 years. The thing was a smashing success because you had the two teams who were snubbed in the NCAA Tournament, two teams with compelling players between Kadary Richmond and Robby Aviles. You had the angry Big East versus the darling mid-major. And Seton Hall had to deal with that road environment. That made it that much more special than if they won it somewhere stupid like Vegas, where it will be next year. Instead of some antiseptic half-filled arena where nobody's really engaged, this was really a championship game environment and a lot of credit goes to the Indiana State fans.

It was one of the more memorable things I've covered in 21 years on the beat. I know we can argue this till the cows come home, but I'm convinced that this was preferable to the one and done NCAA tournament losses. I’ve covered Seton Hall getting its rear end kicked by Gonzaga, TCU, Wichita State. Those felt like you weren't even in the tournament. Look how embarrassed Virginia was by their
performance in the first four. They came away disgraced.

This NIT was great for the hardcore Seton Hall fan to feel good about this season and especially with Shaheen Holloway is capable of. I really do think it was important for Sha because he would have had a very bitter taste had they ended the season with a bad loss or turning down a bid like St. John’s did. In terms of his stewardship of the program, it reinforced he can win here and he belongs here.

Sorry I must have missed it. Is he staying at Georgetown or did he go somewhere else??

This team, the athleticism, the youth, the experience, the length, the speed. SHA has the tools that could be a new version of 40 Minutes of Hell. Pirate style. These guys need to hit the weight room, hard. And SHA has to hammer home his version of lock down defense. They could play 10 or more deep. There are so many unknowns but also so many possibilities that this could be another team for the ages! I was so upset at the abandonment by the stars for NIL, but SHA and the staff (the staff has done a lot here with Davis being the lead recruiter on the last two players) This will be very interesting.

Now that our lineup is complete and we look forward to Sha working his magic with our team, how about some fun with a dream scenario for the fans?

Part 1 Danny Hurley signs a 6 year $15,000,000/year contract with the LA Lakers. He keeps his promise to support SHU NIL, and more important, he becomes a vocal supporter of Shaheen Holloway and Seton Hall basketball.

Part 2: UConn hires a Big Ten coach and former UConn grad to lead the Huskies - Steve Pikiell.

Part 3: Five star commits, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper show their loyalty to Coach Pike and transfer to UConn.

Part 4: Seton Hall defeats Rutgers and UConn in the upcoming season.

When she first got back from her prison time in Russia, Brittney stood for the National Anthem. Her appreciation for this great country was unfortunately short lived as she in now kneeling during the Anthem again. This classless piece of trash had the nerve to say that her kneeling makes her more patriotic and does not understand the criticism she is receiving.

I am all for the right to protest. However, there is a time and a place for protests. Blocking roads, burning buildings, looting and during the National Anthem are not proper forms of protests.

Ortho NJ