NEW YORK – Seton Hall’s run to the Big East championship game evoked memories of 2016, except for the final seconds.
Instead of pulling out a thrilling win over Villanova, as the Pirates did three years ago, they fell short as the Wildcats did a terrific job defensively on the final play, with Phil Booth blanketing Myles Powell and forcing a desperately wayward inbounds pass by Anthony Nelson.
But certainly, The Hall’s 74-72 loss is nothing to be ashamed of.
Before the talk turns to the Pirates’ first-round NCAA site and opponent, here are some thoughts about Saturday night’s game.
Meaningless?
Tell the players that. It’s fashionable to say a game such as this one is unimportant, given the fact both teams were in the NCAA tournament already by virtue of their resumes. But sitting courtside, it was obvious the Big East final, as always, was filled with intensity. The Hall never backed down, making a run every time the defending national champions tried to pull away. But similarly, Villanova showed why it wins championships, Big East and NCAA, because it stayed poised. There was too much parity in the Big East this year, sometimes bordering on parody, but this game was anything but.
Is Q OK?
Starting point guard Quincy McKnight played only 5:24 in the second half because he slipped and tweaked his groin. He said afterward that he would be fine going forward, but those kind of injuries can be tricky. It wouldn’t be bad for Seton Hall if it got placed in a Friday-Sunday bracket just to give him more time to heal. McKnight tried to play through it, but it was clear he didn’t have that quick first step that allows him to create for others and get to the rim for himself. Myles Powell’s foot injury in the quarterfinal turned out not to be a problem. The Pirates have to hope this will be similar.
Nelson launches.
Because of McKnight’s injury, Anthony Nelson had to play major minutes on a huge stage after having limited playing time for a long time. But he was impressive, with 12 points, two assists, no turnovers and a plus-9 rating in 16:25. Nelson’s room-temperature personality worked in his favor, as he didn’t at all seem awed by the trappings of this type of game. “Ant played phenomenal,” coach Kevin Willard said. “He played with great confidence. I thought he played really well defensively.”
Change the trophy from MOP to MVP.
Much like the NCAA tournament, the Big East awards a trophy to the Most Outstanding Player, not the Most Valuable Player. Villanova’s Phil Booth won it because his team won, but Myles Powell clearly was the best player over the last three days, scoring 78 points. To be fair, Booth scored 57 points overall, including 28 in the come-from-behind OT win over Xavier in the semifinals, but the scintillating Powell was nothing short of sensational. I don’t know why the MOP never comes from a losing team, especially one that was defeated in the final by two points.
How far can Seton Hall go?
Well, so many people didn’t even think the Pirates could make it this far. To be honest, I actually thought in October they’d be in the NCAA conversation today (based on Willard's confidence at Big East Media Day), but as more like one of the last four in or the first four out, as opposed to being safely in the main bracket and perhaps in an 8-9 game. This team is unselfish, even star Powell, and everyone else knows that he is The Man and should be deferred to when possible. The senior-laden team of a year ago had so many valid scoring options that sometimes it seemed unclear who was the go-to guy on a given night. Of course, having one player to circle on the scouting report can make it easier for opponents. But Powell still is averaging 27.6 points in the last seven games.
COMMENTS?
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
Instead of pulling out a thrilling win over Villanova, as the Pirates did three years ago, they fell short as the Wildcats did a terrific job defensively on the final play, with Phil Booth blanketing Myles Powell and forcing a desperately wayward inbounds pass by Anthony Nelson.
But certainly, The Hall’s 74-72 loss is nothing to be ashamed of.
Before the talk turns to the Pirates’ first-round NCAA site and opponent, here are some thoughts about Saturday night’s game.
Meaningless?
Tell the players that. It’s fashionable to say a game such as this one is unimportant, given the fact both teams were in the NCAA tournament already by virtue of their resumes. But sitting courtside, it was obvious the Big East final, as always, was filled with intensity. The Hall never backed down, making a run every time the defending national champions tried to pull away. But similarly, Villanova showed why it wins championships, Big East and NCAA, because it stayed poised. There was too much parity in the Big East this year, sometimes bordering on parody, but this game was anything but.
Is Q OK?
Starting point guard Quincy McKnight played only 5:24 in the second half because he slipped and tweaked his groin. He said afterward that he would be fine going forward, but those kind of injuries can be tricky. It wouldn’t be bad for Seton Hall if it got placed in a Friday-Sunday bracket just to give him more time to heal. McKnight tried to play through it, but it was clear he didn’t have that quick first step that allows him to create for others and get to the rim for himself. Myles Powell’s foot injury in the quarterfinal turned out not to be a problem. The Pirates have to hope this will be similar.
Nelson launches.
Because of McKnight’s injury, Anthony Nelson had to play major minutes on a huge stage after having limited playing time for a long time. But he was impressive, with 12 points, two assists, no turnovers and a plus-9 rating in 16:25. Nelson’s room-temperature personality worked in his favor, as he didn’t at all seem awed by the trappings of this type of game. “Ant played phenomenal,” coach Kevin Willard said. “He played with great confidence. I thought he played really well defensively.”
Change the trophy from MOP to MVP.
Much like the NCAA tournament, the Big East awards a trophy to the Most Outstanding Player, not the Most Valuable Player. Villanova’s Phil Booth won it because his team won, but Myles Powell clearly was the best player over the last three days, scoring 78 points. To be fair, Booth scored 57 points overall, including 28 in the come-from-behind OT win over Xavier in the semifinals, but the scintillating Powell was nothing short of sensational. I don’t know why the MOP never comes from a losing team, especially one that was defeated in the final by two points.
How far can Seton Hall go?
Well, so many people didn’t even think the Pirates could make it this far. To be honest, I actually thought in October they’d be in the NCAA conversation today (based on Willard's confidence at Big East Media Day), but as more like one of the last four in or the first four out, as opposed to being safely in the main bracket and perhaps in an 8-9 game. This team is unselfish, even star Powell, and everyone else knows that he is The Man and should be deferred to when possible. The senior-laden team of a year ago had so many valid scoring options that sometimes it seemed unclear who was the go-to guy on a given night. Of course, having one player to circle on the scouting report can make it easier for opponents. But Powell still is averaging 27.6 points in the last seven games.
COMMENTS?
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
