By JP Pelzman
The temperature outside suggested October, where a high of 69 degrees in Newark shattered a 45-year-old-record Saturday.
But inside of the Prudential Center, it still was January, a time when Seton Hall has been known to lose these types of games to quality opponents with the offensive firepower such as Marquette's.
Consider that after erasing an 11-point first-half deficit, the Pirates had blown a seven-point second-half lead and the game was tied. That’s when Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard began substituting, inserting four reserves in a 43-second span.
Apologizing in advance for the tired movie quote, it was a bold strategy, Cotton. But it sure worked out for Willard and Seton Hall.
Anthony Nelson’s two baskets and two assists sparked an 11-0 run that put the Pirates ahead to stay and the Golden Eagles didn’t get closer than five afterward as The Pirates won their sixth straight, 69-55.
“I do have confidence in the fact they are familiar with each other,” said Willard. “One thing about why I mass sub is that these guys play with each other and have a good feel. I wouldn't put them in there if I didn't think they could do something good.”
Nelson began the flurry with a short jumper for a 47-45 lead. He then fed Shavar Reynolds for a three-pointer to make it a five-point advantage. Nelson’s driving layup put Seton Hall ahead 52-45, and he then passed to Ike Obiagu for a crowd-pleasing (12,707 strong) dunk that made the margin nine points. A penetrating drive/slam by Tyrese Samuel completed the 11-0 run.
Nelson said, “Coach put us in the game and said we needed some energy. That was our job, go in there and be the energy guys and make some plays. Coach called our name. It was time to step up.”
Nelson’s second hoop in the run was followed by a Marquette (11-5, 1-3 Big East) offensive sequence in which Markus Howard (27 points, but on 8-for-22 shooting) threw up an air ball from behind the arc, sending the Seton Hall supporters into a frenzy. Howard had 11 points in the first seven minutes of the game but wasn’t a factor after that.
Leaving the visiting locker room after the game, Howard was approached by a small group of reporters but politely declined to speak.
He likely wished it had been as easy to shake loose from Reynolds, the Pirates’ defensive wizard who hounded him one-on-one for much of the afternoon. Reynolds harassed Howard into that aforementioned air ball, and managed an eye-popping plus-21 in nearly 19 minutes of action despite making just the one basket.
Of course, Reynolds gets good scout team work, if you will, facing in practice one of the few players in the nation who is on the level of Howard, the reigning Big East Player of the Year. Reynolds guards teammate Myles Powell, the preseason Big East POY.
“Going against Myles every day got me ready for this,” said Reynolds, a junior guard who began as a freshman walk-on and was awarded a scholarship as a sophomore.
“We’re not a non-profit. We’re not a charity,” Willard said. “He’s on scholarship for a reason. He’s a good player. Is he Myles Powell? No, but he’s a really good player and he brings a lot of intangibles that don’t show up on stat sheets, and he’s a terrific kid, too, that can help you win games.”
Powell wasn’t surprised at how well his teammate did against his friend and rival Howard, with whom he shared a long hug and conversation after the post-game handshake line.
“I see this every day,” Powell said with his trademark smile.
All of the Pirates have reason to smile. Riding a six-game winning streak, The Hall (12-4, 4-0) certainly will be back in the Associated Press rankings ahead of a first-place showdown with Butler (15-1, 3-0) on the road Wednesday.
The temperatures are forecast to cool down. Will the Pirates do so anytime soon? That remains to be seen.
“It doesn’t matter how it’s getting done or who’s doing it,” Powell said, “as long as it’s getting done. That’s when you find yourself up on top. That’s just how our train is rolling right now.”
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
The temperature outside suggested October, where a high of 69 degrees in Newark shattered a 45-year-old-record Saturday.
But inside of the Prudential Center, it still was January, a time when Seton Hall has been known to lose these types of games to quality opponents with the offensive firepower such as Marquette's.
Consider that after erasing an 11-point first-half deficit, the Pirates had blown a seven-point second-half lead and the game was tied. That’s when Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard began substituting, inserting four reserves in a 43-second span.
Apologizing in advance for the tired movie quote, it was a bold strategy, Cotton. But it sure worked out for Willard and Seton Hall.
Anthony Nelson’s two baskets and two assists sparked an 11-0 run that put the Pirates ahead to stay and the Golden Eagles didn’t get closer than five afterward as The Pirates won their sixth straight, 69-55.
“I do have confidence in the fact they are familiar with each other,” said Willard. “One thing about why I mass sub is that these guys play with each other and have a good feel. I wouldn't put them in there if I didn't think they could do something good.”
Nelson began the flurry with a short jumper for a 47-45 lead. He then fed Shavar Reynolds for a three-pointer to make it a five-point advantage. Nelson’s driving layup put Seton Hall ahead 52-45, and he then passed to Ike Obiagu for a crowd-pleasing (12,707 strong) dunk that made the margin nine points. A penetrating drive/slam by Tyrese Samuel completed the 11-0 run.
Nelson said, “Coach put us in the game and said we needed some energy. That was our job, go in there and be the energy guys and make some plays. Coach called our name. It was time to step up.”
Nelson’s second hoop in the run was followed by a Marquette (11-5, 1-3 Big East) offensive sequence in which Markus Howard (27 points, but on 8-for-22 shooting) threw up an air ball from behind the arc, sending the Seton Hall supporters into a frenzy. Howard had 11 points in the first seven minutes of the game but wasn’t a factor after that.
Leaving the visiting locker room after the game, Howard was approached by a small group of reporters but politely declined to speak.
He likely wished it had been as easy to shake loose from Reynolds, the Pirates’ defensive wizard who hounded him one-on-one for much of the afternoon. Reynolds harassed Howard into that aforementioned air ball, and managed an eye-popping plus-21 in nearly 19 minutes of action despite making just the one basket.
Of course, Reynolds gets good scout team work, if you will, facing in practice one of the few players in the nation who is on the level of Howard, the reigning Big East Player of the Year. Reynolds guards teammate Myles Powell, the preseason Big East POY.
“Going against Myles every day got me ready for this,” said Reynolds, a junior guard who began as a freshman walk-on and was awarded a scholarship as a sophomore.
“We’re not a non-profit. We’re not a charity,” Willard said. “He’s on scholarship for a reason. He’s a good player. Is he Myles Powell? No, but he’s a really good player and he brings a lot of intangibles that don’t show up on stat sheets, and he’s a terrific kid, too, that can help you win games.”
Powell wasn’t surprised at how well his teammate did against his friend and rival Howard, with whom he shared a long hug and conversation after the post-game handshake line.
“I see this every day,” Powell said with his trademark smile.
All of the Pirates have reason to smile. Riding a six-game winning streak, The Hall (12-4, 4-0) certainly will be back in the Associated Press rankings ahead of a first-place showdown with Butler (15-1, 3-0) on the road Wednesday.
The temperatures are forecast to cool down. Will the Pirates do so anytime soon? That remains to be seen.
“It doesn’t matter how it’s getting done or who’s doing it,” Powell said, “as long as it’s getting done. That’s when you find yourself up on top. That’s just how our train is rolling right now.”
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
