By Colin Rajala
Trove: Who do you expect to be the most impactful newcomer on the team this coming season and why?
Pelzman: I think the most impactful newcomer will be Ikey (Obiagu). From everything I’ve been told, he’s good defensively and can protect the paint and rim. Mike Nzei was a terrific piece for the program, but with Ikey replacing him in the front court, he has the ability to intimidate and be a force on defense. He has skills and will be a much better shot blocker. His impact on defense will be huge in Kevin’s eyes and anything you get from him on offense will be gravy.
I think that the way that Grant [Billmeier] teaches big men will help Ikey. We saw how Mike improved his skills and game over his five years with Grant and we can expect to see that from Obiagu. The team needs him to be that defensive presence and the fact that he came from a solid defensive program in Florida State and defensive coach in Leonard Hamilton bodes well.
We all know guys won’t play in Kevin’s system if they don’t play D well or understand his concepts. Adding a guy like Ikey, who will be a serious rim protector, opens up lot of possibilities for Kevin’s defensive system. Even more so when you consider the depth at the position and having another serious shot blocker to fill in after him with Gill.
Trove: Myles Powell or Markus Howard as the preseason Big East player of the year?
Pelzman: Powell for player of the year and I am not saying that because of my coverage. Powell is the more consistent player and I think that will show even more now that the Hauser brothers are gone, especially Sam who helped out Markus a lot. You just have to look at last season and how Marquette faltered down the stretch while Powell led Seton Hall to the tournament, that gives him the edge.
It is great for the Big East that both are coming back and I think they are close so it will push each to be even better. I know it’s crazy and looks weird to have the reigning player of the year not be the subsequent preseason player of the year, but I expect Powell to build off of last season. Powell is pound for pound the best player in the conference.
Trove: What are your preseason predictions for the Big East season? Who do you view at the top and how do you see it shaking out after that?
Pelzman: Number one, until someone knocks them off, it's Villanova. Now I’ve been a Jay Wright fan for a while because he went to Hofstra, but beyond that, he’s developed something special there. He has worked extremely hard to keep the momentum going and, to me, they are the epitome of ‘they don’t rebuild they reload.’ Until Seton Hall can break that, they are number two.
How many games can they go until they can win in Southeastern Pennsylvania downtown or in the Ski Lodge? Until I see them get there, I can’t mark Seton Hall for better than a split against Nova. They can and will challenge and the gap is as close as it has been in Kevin’s tenure, but I need to see it first.
I think Providence and Xavier will step back up; they are returning a lot of talented players. I think Marquette probably takes a step back with the departure of the Hauser brothers. I like Creighton, but it’s tough to see them at the top because it hurt to lose Krampelj, who turned pro.
St. John’s is not ready yet, but I think they will be better than people expect.
The real x-factor in the conference is Georgetown. Their two freshmen last year, Akinjo and McClung showed a lot. Akinjo was terrific all year and McClung impressed even though he hit the freshman wall. I think they will figure it out and be even better this coming season. I think you have to respect what Ewing has done. He came up the right way, worked his way through as an assistant in the pros and has them improving. He’s tough, he can coach and they will be competitive.
Trove: Who has been your favorite player to cover and interview during your time reporting on Seton Hall and why?
Pelzman: My favorite player to cover came early on in my career, John ’Tootie’ Allen. Amaker recruited him and Orr got him to stick around. He was just fun to watch and cover. He was a good player, but he was also a bit of a loose cannon. He single highhandedly went on a run in the Arizona game in 2004 when it was getting away from the team, to get the team back within reach. They don’t win that one without John.
I remember they beat Nova at home in 04 and they were on the fence for the tournament. Their next game was at Miami and I wasn’t originally scheduled to go to Miami to cover the game so I told him in the locker room after the Nova game that I wouldn’t see him down in Miami but good luck. Now I got back to the office and they said see if you can get a flight to Miami to cover the team as they try and make the tournament. Now I got down there for the game and I see him after they win and he said to me ‘I thought you weren’t coming?’ How many college kids remember having that conversation with a reporter in the locker room after a big win?
Now my favorite quote of his came from his reaction when they made the tournament that year. I don’t remember the exact wording off the top of my head, but it was something close to ‘The NCAA tournament is one the greatest things in our country and society.’
He was an underrated player and he marched to the beat of his own drum. He was a fun loving guy and he was always accessible.
Trove: Who do you expect to be the most impactful newcomer on the team this coming season and why?
Pelzman: I think the most impactful newcomer will be Ikey (Obiagu). From everything I’ve been told, he’s good defensively and can protect the paint and rim. Mike Nzei was a terrific piece for the program, but with Ikey replacing him in the front court, he has the ability to intimidate and be a force on defense. He has skills and will be a much better shot blocker. His impact on defense will be huge in Kevin’s eyes and anything you get from him on offense will be gravy.
I think that the way that Grant [Billmeier] teaches big men will help Ikey. We saw how Mike improved his skills and game over his five years with Grant and we can expect to see that from Obiagu. The team needs him to be that defensive presence and the fact that he came from a solid defensive program in Florida State and defensive coach in Leonard Hamilton bodes well.
We all know guys won’t play in Kevin’s system if they don’t play D well or understand his concepts. Adding a guy like Ikey, who will be a serious rim protector, opens up lot of possibilities for Kevin’s defensive system. Even more so when you consider the depth at the position and having another serious shot blocker to fill in after him with Gill.
Trove: Myles Powell or Markus Howard as the preseason Big East player of the year?
Pelzman: Powell for player of the year and I am not saying that because of my coverage. Powell is the more consistent player and I think that will show even more now that the Hauser brothers are gone, especially Sam who helped out Markus a lot. You just have to look at last season and how Marquette faltered down the stretch while Powell led Seton Hall to the tournament, that gives him the edge.
It is great for the Big East that both are coming back and I think they are close so it will push each to be even better. I know it’s crazy and looks weird to have the reigning player of the year not be the subsequent preseason player of the year, but I expect Powell to build off of last season. Powell is pound for pound the best player in the conference.
Trove: What are your preseason predictions for the Big East season? Who do you view at the top and how do you see it shaking out after that?
Pelzman: Number one, until someone knocks them off, it's Villanova. Now I’ve been a Jay Wright fan for a while because he went to Hofstra, but beyond that, he’s developed something special there. He has worked extremely hard to keep the momentum going and, to me, they are the epitome of ‘they don’t rebuild they reload.’ Until Seton Hall can break that, they are number two.
How many games can they go until they can win in Southeastern Pennsylvania downtown or in the Ski Lodge? Until I see them get there, I can’t mark Seton Hall for better than a split against Nova. They can and will challenge and the gap is as close as it has been in Kevin’s tenure, but I need to see it first.
I think Providence and Xavier will step back up; they are returning a lot of talented players. I think Marquette probably takes a step back with the departure of the Hauser brothers. I like Creighton, but it’s tough to see them at the top because it hurt to lose Krampelj, who turned pro.
St. John’s is not ready yet, but I think they will be better than people expect.
The real x-factor in the conference is Georgetown. Their two freshmen last year, Akinjo and McClung showed a lot. Akinjo was terrific all year and McClung impressed even though he hit the freshman wall. I think they will figure it out and be even better this coming season. I think you have to respect what Ewing has done. He came up the right way, worked his way through as an assistant in the pros and has them improving. He’s tough, he can coach and they will be competitive.
Trove: Who has been your favorite player to cover and interview during your time reporting on Seton Hall and why?
Pelzman: My favorite player to cover came early on in my career, John ’Tootie’ Allen. Amaker recruited him and Orr got him to stick around. He was just fun to watch and cover. He was a good player, but he was also a bit of a loose cannon. He single highhandedly went on a run in the Arizona game in 2004 when it was getting away from the team, to get the team back within reach. They don’t win that one without John.
I remember they beat Nova at home in 04 and they were on the fence for the tournament. Their next game was at Miami and I wasn’t originally scheduled to go to Miami to cover the game so I told him in the locker room after the Nova game that I wouldn’t see him down in Miami but good luck. Now I got back to the office and they said see if you can get a flight to Miami to cover the team as they try and make the tournament. Now I got down there for the game and I see him after they win and he said to me ‘I thought you weren’t coming?’ How many college kids remember having that conversation with a reporter in the locker room after a big win?
Now my favorite quote of his came from his reaction when they made the tournament that year. I don’t remember the exact wording off the top of my head, but it was something close to ‘The NCAA tournament is one the greatest things in our country and society.’
He was an underrated player and he marched to the beat of his own drum. He was a fun loving guy and he was always accessible.
