Jerry Carino @NJHoopsHaven Aug 6Here's my story and 3 takeaways on Seton Hall's non-conference schedule, which is its best in years: http://www.app.com/story/sports/college/2015/08/06/seton-hall-basketball-non-conference-schedule/31214251/…
Carino on our non conference schedule
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Jerry Carino @NJHoopsHaven Aug 6Here's my story and 3 takeaways on Seton Hall's non-conference schedule, which is its best in years: http://www.app.com/story/sports/college/2015/08/06/seton-hall-basketball-non-conference-schedule/31214251/…
Strong Non-Conference Slate Gives Seton Hall MBB Opportunities to Make Early Statements
Date: August 6, 2015
By John Fanta, 89.5 WSOU Assistant Sports Director
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ -- In today's world of college basketball, where it seems as if hundreds of non-conference invitationals, showcases, and marquee match-ups fill up the first two months of the season, it is a necessity for a program to challenge itself if it wants to build a profile.
The Seton Hall men's basketball team released its 2015-16 out-of-league schedule on Thursday, and one thing is for certain - the opportunities are there for a young team to elevate itself early on in the upcoming campaign.
The Pirates will take on four teams that reached the postseason a year ago, and there is the potential to face even more depending on how The Hall performs in a highly-touted field in the Charleston Classic.
It is safe to say that in a crucial upcoming year, sixth-year head coach Kevin Willard has laid out a demanding slate as a talented sophomore class looks to lead the way.
What five things stand out about the schedule?
1. Marquee home match-ups against Georgia on Nov. 28 and Wichita State on Dec. 19 give Seton Hall fans something to look forward to. Throughout the past years, the big-time games on the non-conference schedule have not showed up until Big East play. This year, the Pirates will battle a Bulldogs squad that comes off back-to-back 20-win seasons. The Shockers are powered by All-Americans Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet. The Rock will be rockin' for those match-ups.
2. A key road stretch will help a young team, at the very least, learn. The Pirates' most critical road swing comes in the first week of December, when SHU heads to George Washington and Rutgers. Last year, the Pirates edged the Colonials 58-54, and GW is out for revenge. That will be a very tough test for the Pirates as Mike Lonergan's team welcomes back Joe McDonald and Patricio Garino.
3. The Hall's first round game in the Charleston Classic is one of the most important games of the season. Why? Well, it comes against a very beatable team in Long Beach State. But, it's the winner that will likely face Virginia, which draws Bradley in the first round. For The Hall to get the opportunity to face UVA a month before taking on another top-ten team at the very least in Wichita State, well, words don't do enough justice in describing how big the opportunity could help SHU's profile.
4. It's a challenging, but reasonable slate. There still are plenty of opportunities for Seton Hall to rack up victories. The opener against Dartmouth on Nov. 13, game two versus Wagner on Nov. 15 (Walsh Gym), and December home meetings with Troy, Saint Peter's, and South Florida all give SHU chances to just help boost the record, if nothing else.
5. It may seem minor, but finishing up the non-conference slate on Dec. 22 gives the Pirates roughly around a week to rest up and refresh before Big East play begins. Last year, SHU's Dec. 27 contest against Maine actually worked out well. Still, to have the break before conference play can help in more ways than one.
For the complete, non-conference slate, go to http://www.shupirates.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/seha-m-baskbl-sched.html.
Jerry Carino @NJHoopsHaven Aug 6As a chief critic of Seton Hall's scheduling since the end of the Orr era, let me be first to say: This is a good one, for both fans & team.
Jerry Carino @NJHoopsHaven Aug 6No time yet on Seton Hall at Rutgers Saturday, Dec. 5. Waiting on TV. (A mid-late afternoon tip would be great)
Jerry Carino @NJHoopsHaven Aug 6Also, I like that Seton Hall's annual game in Walsh has been moved up to mid-November. Always a fun setting. Will get the juices flowing.
Jerry Carino @NJHoopsHaven Aug 6A quick glance at the NJ Devils' schedule clarifies the approximate start time for Seton Hall-Wichita. Updated story: http://on.app.com/1NcptNI
Jerry Carino @NJHoopsHaven Aug 6One more tidbit: The last time a team of Wichita State's caliber came to Seton Hall out of conference was . . . Texas in 2004?
