1. When is a 36 point victory disappointing? Yesterday at 2 PM in Newark. The old saying is you play like you practice and when Willard bemoaned the team's effort the last few days in the bowels of Walsh for once he wasn't just blowing smoke.
2. Spoke to Pat Lyons before the game and he told me the advance sale for yesterday's matinee was higher than our night game a few year's back against a very strong and ranked Wichita State team. Clearly the word is out about the potential of these Pirates.
3. Witness protection program anyone? Because that's what it looked like for Seton Hall's starting forwards Sandro Mamukalashvili and Myles Cale. The duo shot a combined 3-10 from the field, missing 3 dunks in those 10 attempts. Grabbed 3 rebounds playing a combined 28 minutes, while turning the ball over 3 times to registering 1 assist. All this against one of the worst D1 teams in all of college basketball.
Oh yeah, did I mention a combined +/- of +2 in a 36 point victory?
4. Fortunately the void was filled by two underclassmen in Jared Rhoden (player of the game) and Ty Samuel.
5. Speaking to Rhoden I asked a few questions.
You played very well at the 4 today. Are you comfortable there when the size matchup dictates?
"Absolutely, I love playing that position when we go small. In fact coach has played me there a lot in practice."
You play with so much energy. Do you believe that's your biggest strength?
"It's certainly one of them. I don't start so it's important when I come in that I give the team a spark. I've always played hard so that's not new for me."
You've always been known as an offensive player, but your defense and quick hands have stood out this season.
"Thank you. That's from playing hard. Defense is effort and I'm all about effort. (laughing) Plus I want to play and you're not playing for coach if you don't play defense."
6. Speaking to Samuel I asked him a few questions.
You seemed more relaxed today than in your first game at the Rock against Michigan State.
"No doubt. I was very nervous last week in that game, but today I felt much more comfortable. I'm a freshmen so this is new to me but I'll play better, more relaxed as I get experience."
What's it been like early in your Seton Hall career?
"Freshmen don't get a lot of minutes so I'm not surprised. I have played short minutes so far. I expected that so it isn't a surprise. I have to earn what I get but it's easier here because my teammates have been so great to me."
Your defense has been a surprise to date as you came here with a reputation as an offensive player.
"Coach Grant and Coach Willard talk to me about that all the time. They tell me if I want to play I have to defend, so I really concentrate on that when I'm on the court. My offense will come, that's natural to me but defense, that's something I have to work at."
7. When our twin towers shot 4-4 in a previous game from the foul line I noted that we should savor that as it will probably never happen again. I was right. Yesterday the two combined for a paltry 8-10 from the charity stripe.
8. Who the hell is wearing #33 what what was put in his drink?
Credit Willard here because the outcry from ALL of us was disbelief when he offered a 3 year scholarship to freshman walkon Shavar Reynolds. He and fellow underclassmen Jared Rhoden were the second half spark that turned a 7 point lead into a near 40 point blowout. +21 in 19 minutes tells you all you need to know.
9. There was a Flagman sighting in Newark yesterday around 145PM. Sure, 5 laps in not impressive when compared to years gone by. But it took guts as this effort came on the heels of last week's embarrassment.
The joy in his face after those 5 laps was worth at least 5 more laps. So let's give him credit for 10.
10. I keep reading, and this is no knock on Anthony Nelson who played very well, that Nelson is a better point guard for the Hall. Read that after yesterday game again. Here's the stats. McKnight, 5 assists to1 TO. Nelson, 4 assists to2 turnovers. Are the stats deceiving us? You be the judge.
11. Oh yeah In 20 minutes Q was plus 26. And it wasn't all on defense!
12. Staying with McKnight...
I only got to ask him one question as Willard was entering the room.
You seem to be more comfortable and more aggressive, with better decision making this season running the team. Do you feel those are legitimate points?
" I worked so hard this summer on my game, especially on offense. Coach told me he wanted me to be more aggressive this year in looking to score. But he also wanted me to play smart. I can do both and knowing that we have Anthony and Sharvar I can be very aggressive on defense and attacking the basket without fearing I'll get in foul trouble and hurt the team."
13. Fred Hill said at the Booster Club dinner that if this team is going to reach their potential they need to find a Robin to Myles Powell's Batman. Surprisingly Willard said in the post game that Q can be this team's second leading scorer. Quincy 'Boy Wonder' McKnight? Holy Moly Batman!
14. Yes there was a TT sighting at the Rock and despite the angst he has provided to the coaching staff he's still beloved by the students and fans alike. His circus like basket upon entering the game might have been the decibel highlight of the afternoon tilt.
15. How frustrating was it when Florida A&M ran off 9 consecutive points in the first half?
How exhilarating was it when the Hall ran off 15 consecutive points in the second half?
16. Defense wins games. Just ask Tony Bennett (not the singer). Yesterday that was all Willard could hang his hat on for the first 30 minutes of the game. When Q, Reynolds and Rhoden entered the game in the second half backed up by Gill it was nearly impossible for the Rattlers to get off a quality shot, never mind score a basket.
17. Another shout out out to the students and the fans. No, it wasn't Michigan State loud. And no the upper tier wasn't open. But Saturday at noon against less than a cupcake the announced crowd of 9656 was impressive indeed. So much so that Willard actually noted in the media session how upset he was with the team not rewarding the fans with the effort expected.
Hell, he even gave a verbal shout out to the Booster Club. More on that in my Booster Club thread to be posted tomorrow.
18. Staying with the students......Got a kick out of 2 things. The MVP chants for Taurean Thompson and the cheers every time Florida A&M's 'slightly' overweight but hard playing center Evins Desir scored a basket. Loved seeing him hit those 2 mid range shots late in the game.
19. Did anyone catch Asiah Avent, son of Anthony and a walkon directing TT late in the game to get position down low so he could set him up. When was the last time you saw a walkon who gets very few minutes worrying about setting someone else up instead of scoring himself? Shows the love these kids have for each other. The term brothers is often thrown out as much as yesterday's garbage, but not with this group. The best locker room by far that Willard has ever had in South Orange.
20. Haven't said much about Powell as he did not have a very good game (for him). Was really disappointed that he was hunting for points yesterday. It seemed that he was intent on reaching his average and for one day that led to a very poor on the court performance.
That said he'll certainly be forgiven.
Now comes the stretch of the season that will dictate if SHU has a chance to reach Albany. We'll need the ball to bounce our way a little in the next couple of weeks.
That and give an effort in practice that would have embarrassed Allen Iverson.
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
2. Spoke to Pat Lyons before the game and he told me the advance sale for yesterday's matinee was higher than our night game a few year's back against a very strong and ranked Wichita State team. Clearly the word is out about the potential of these Pirates.
3. Witness protection program anyone? Because that's what it looked like for Seton Hall's starting forwards Sandro Mamukalashvili and Myles Cale. The duo shot a combined 3-10 from the field, missing 3 dunks in those 10 attempts. Grabbed 3 rebounds playing a combined 28 minutes, while turning the ball over 3 times to registering 1 assist. All this against one of the worst D1 teams in all of college basketball.
Oh yeah, did I mention a combined +/- of +2 in a 36 point victory?
4. Fortunately the void was filled by two underclassmen in Jared Rhoden (player of the game) and Ty Samuel.
5. Speaking to Rhoden I asked a few questions.
You played very well at the 4 today. Are you comfortable there when the size matchup dictates?
"Absolutely, I love playing that position when we go small. In fact coach has played me there a lot in practice."
You play with so much energy. Do you believe that's your biggest strength?
"It's certainly one of them. I don't start so it's important when I come in that I give the team a spark. I've always played hard so that's not new for me."
You've always been known as an offensive player, but your defense and quick hands have stood out this season.
"Thank you. That's from playing hard. Defense is effort and I'm all about effort. (laughing) Plus I want to play and you're not playing for coach if you don't play defense."
6. Speaking to Samuel I asked him a few questions.
You seemed more relaxed today than in your first game at the Rock against Michigan State.
"No doubt. I was very nervous last week in that game, but today I felt much more comfortable. I'm a freshmen so this is new to me but I'll play better, more relaxed as I get experience."
What's it been like early in your Seton Hall career?
"Freshmen don't get a lot of minutes so I'm not surprised. I have played short minutes so far. I expected that so it isn't a surprise. I have to earn what I get but it's easier here because my teammates have been so great to me."
Your defense has been a surprise to date as you came here with a reputation as an offensive player.
"Coach Grant and Coach Willard talk to me about that all the time. They tell me if I want to play I have to defend, so I really concentrate on that when I'm on the court. My offense will come, that's natural to me but defense, that's something I have to work at."
7. When our twin towers shot 4-4 in a previous game from the foul line I noted that we should savor that as it will probably never happen again. I was right. Yesterday the two combined for a paltry 8-10 from the charity stripe.
8. Who the hell is wearing #33 what what was put in his drink?
Credit Willard here because the outcry from ALL of us was disbelief when he offered a 3 year scholarship to freshman walkon Shavar Reynolds. He and fellow underclassmen Jared Rhoden were the second half spark that turned a 7 point lead into a near 40 point blowout. +21 in 19 minutes tells you all you need to know.
9. There was a Flagman sighting in Newark yesterday around 145PM. Sure, 5 laps in not impressive when compared to years gone by. But it took guts as this effort came on the heels of last week's embarrassment.
The joy in his face after those 5 laps was worth at least 5 more laps. So let's give him credit for 10.
10. I keep reading, and this is no knock on Anthony Nelson who played very well, that Nelson is a better point guard for the Hall. Read that after yesterday game again. Here's the stats. McKnight, 5 assists to1 TO. Nelson, 4 assists to2 turnovers. Are the stats deceiving us? You be the judge.
11. Oh yeah In 20 minutes Q was plus 26. And it wasn't all on defense!
12. Staying with McKnight...
I only got to ask him one question as Willard was entering the room.
You seem to be more comfortable and more aggressive, with better decision making this season running the team. Do you feel those are legitimate points?
" I worked so hard this summer on my game, especially on offense. Coach told me he wanted me to be more aggressive this year in looking to score. But he also wanted me to play smart. I can do both and knowing that we have Anthony and Sharvar I can be very aggressive on defense and attacking the basket without fearing I'll get in foul trouble and hurt the team."
13. Fred Hill said at the Booster Club dinner that if this team is going to reach their potential they need to find a Robin to Myles Powell's Batman. Surprisingly Willard said in the post game that Q can be this team's second leading scorer. Quincy 'Boy Wonder' McKnight? Holy Moly Batman!
14. Yes there was a TT sighting at the Rock and despite the angst he has provided to the coaching staff he's still beloved by the students and fans alike. His circus like basket upon entering the game might have been the decibel highlight of the afternoon tilt.
15. How frustrating was it when Florida A&M ran off 9 consecutive points in the first half?
How exhilarating was it when the Hall ran off 15 consecutive points in the second half?
16. Defense wins games. Just ask Tony Bennett (not the singer). Yesterday that was all Willard could hang his hat on for the first 30 minutes of the game. When Q, Reynolds and Rhoden entered the game in the second half backed up by Gill it was nearly impossible for the Rattlers to get off a quality shot, never mind score a basket.
17. Another shout out out to the students and the fans. No, it wasn't Michigan State loud. And no the upper tier wasn't open. But Saturday at noon against less than a cupcake the announced crowd of 9656 was impressive indeed. So much so that Willard actually noted in the media session how upset he was with the team not rewarding the fans with the effort expected.
Hell, he even gave a verbal shout out to the Booster Club. More on that in my Booster Club thread to be posted tomorrow.
18. Staying with the students......Got a kick out of 2 things. The MVP chants for Taurean Thompson and the cheers every time Florida A&M's 'slightly' overweight but hard playing center Evins Desir scored a basket. Loved seeing him hit those 2 mid range shots late in the game.
19. Did anyone catch Asiah Avent, son of Anthony and a walkon directing TT late in the game to get position down low so he could set him up. When was the last time you saw a walkon who gets very few minutes worrying about setting someone else up instead of scoring himself? Shows the love these kids have for each other. The term brothers is often thrown out as much as yesterday's garbage, but not with this group. The best locker room by far that Willard has ever had in South Orange.
20. Haven't said much about Powell as he did not have a very good game (for him). Was really disappointed that he was hunting for points yesterday. It seemed that he was intent on reaching his average and for one day that led to a very poor on the court performance.
That said he'll certainly be forgiven.
Now comes the stretch of the season that will dictate if SHU has a chance to reach Albany. We'll need the ball to bounce our way a little in the next couple of weeks.
That and give an effort in practice that would have embarrassed Allen Iverson.
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
