1. Those who don't learn from history (Maryland) are doomed to repeat it
Once against Kevin Willard proves he does his best work as the hunted and not the hunter.
He pressed all the right buttons after the Rutgers loss. From forcing the team to watch over and over the first minutes of the Rutgers game, to having his players practice an unheard of 150 minutes the day before facing an opponent, mostly concentrating on defense, to implementing a game plan to knock off the top ten Maryland Terrapins.
MAJOR kudos to Kevin Willard
2. Block Party at the Rock
When your 5 position has 12 blocks there's a very good chance you're walking out of the arena with a W. Throw in 3 more from the rest of the team to total 15 and that's just icing on the cake.
3. The defense (doesn't) rests
Somewhere Fuquan Edwin must be smiling. No, Fu wasn't imported by Willard to teach the team the importance of deflections, it just seemed that way. Not only did Maryland have to deal with the big men swatting flies all night but the rest of the team seemed to get their hands on just about every pass or dribble drive they faced.
4. Phantom Menace
The man in the zebra stripes who made the phantom call on Nelson with the Hall up 4 in the waning seconds of the game, allowing Cowen to take 3 foul shots and giving Maryland their only possible chance to win the contest.
Marquette at the Garden revisited.
5. Home sweet home
It was a long month, but eventually the Pirates came home to the sweet confines of the Rock where the crowd was in a word, magnificent. Every Pirate player and their head coach made sure to mention that in the post game.
6. Taking the air out of the ball
This edition of Pirate basketball cannot afford to go toe to toe with high caliber opponents, so a game plan had to be devised by the staff and then carried out by the players. In short control tempo. No quick shots leading to breakouts, while taking time off the clock.
Did it work? Well Maryland scored 3 points off fast breaks so you be the judge.
7. Coming out party
Anthony Nelson started his first game as a Pirate and the result, although not perfect, was more than most Pirate fans could have anticipated.
Nelson controlled tempo, played excellent defense, created for his teammates and hit 4-6 shots including a couple of big time baskets when the Pirates were reeling on offense.
8. What doesn't kill you......
Clearly January is going to be a difficult month for the Pirates with Mamu and Powell out with injuries. But looking for a ray of hope the experience gained by the Hall's underclassmen, Rhoden, Anthony and Samuel will prove invaluable when the two injured stars return and the calendar flips to the month of February.
9. Size does matter
Minor point, but the net on the SHU side of the court was at least 10 inches or more longer than the one near the Terrapins bench. Most unusual on a BB court,
10. Thank you Mark
With Kevin Willard's obvious strategy to minimize the amount of possessions in the game it was very surprising that Maryland coach Mark Turgeon didn't pressure the Hall in their half court sets until late.
11. Right on cue
If McKnight isn't the premier defensive player in the Big East then someone is watching a different game than I am. Once again Q cut off the head of the snake, or turtle in this case, by totally neutralizing Maryland's star guard Anthony Cowen to the tune of 3-14 shooting and 5 turnovers.
12. Battle of the Anthonys
Who wound have 'thunk' it leading up to the game that Seton Hall's young PG Anthony Nelson would outplay Maryland's star PG Anthony Cowen. He did and the result was a Pirate victory.
13. Kudos to Ken
Pomeroy that is. Sure his analytics didn't take into consideration the injuries to Sandro and Myles, but hell he was the only one who predicted a SHU victory so for this game we applaud his site.
14. In the dark
Myles Powell due to his concussion has been told to relax, stay away from bright lights and keep physical activities to a minimum as he heals. But last night the players in the post game as well as Kevin Willard made note of his joy back in South Orange as he Faced Time with the team in the locker room, jumping up and down according to the SHU head coach.
BTW, to aid in his recovery Powell is wearing dark glasses. Dorky looking according to one teammate whose name shall remain silent but does share a starting role in the backcourt with the Pirate superstar.
15. Stats don't lie
Well maybe sometimes, but not this one.
Maryland, 17 turnovers to 8 assists.
16. Practice? We're talkin about practice?
Well, with apologizes to Allan Iverson, yeah. Willard as do most coaches always preach that you play like you practice and in the post game the head coach noted that the players had 3 of their best practices all year leading up to this game.
17. Kevin Picasso Willard
Maybe his best masterpiece in his ten years at the Hall.
Willard has taken criticism at times from the fan base. Some earned, some over the top. But last night and the time leading up to the game might be the Seton Hall coach's best head coaching display in his time in South Orange.
After the Rutgers debacle he pushed all the right buttons. He challenged the team. He insisted they watch film of last Saturday's game. He devised a foolproof game plan and then worked the team hard to ensure they were properly equipped to follow the script.
In short he both physically and mentally prepared his players to upset one of the favorites to win the Big Ten title, and did so without his two star offensive players.
Adversity often bring out the best in people. Last night it did and we saw the very best that Kevin Willard has to offer.
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
Once against Kevin Willard proves he does his best work as the hunted and not the hunter.
He pressed all the right buttons after the Rutgers loss. From forcing the team to watch over and over the first minutes of the Rutgers game, to having his players practice an unheard of 150 minutes the day before facing an opponent, mostly concentrating on defense, to implementing a game plan to knock off the top ten Maryland Terrapins.
MAJOR kudos to Kevin Willard
2. Block Party at the Rock
When your 5 position has 12 blocks there's a very good chance you're walking out of the arena with a W. Throw in 3 more from the rest of the team to total 15 and that's just icing on the cake.
3. The defense (doesn't) rests
Somewhere Fuquan Edwin must be smiling. No, Fu wasn't imported by Willard to teach the team the importance of deflections, it just seemed that way. Not only did Maryland have to deal with the big men swatting flies all night but the rest of the team seemed to get their hands on just about every pass or dribble drive they faced.
4. Phantom Menace
The man in the zebra stripes who made the phantom call on Nelson with the Hall up 4 in the waning seconds of the game, allowing Cowen to take 3 foul shots and giving Maryland their only possible chance to win the contest.
Marquette at the Garden revisited.
5. Home sweet home
It was a long month, but eventually the Pirates came home to the sweet confines of the Rock where the crowd was in a word, magnificent. Every Pirate player and their head coach made sure to mention that in the post game.
6. Taking the air out of the ball
This edition of Pirate basketball cannot afford to go toe to toe with high caliber opponents, so a game plan had to be devised by the staff and then carried out by the players. In short control tempo. No quick shots leading to breakouts, while taking time off the clock.
Did it work? Well Maryland scored 3 points off fast breaks so you be the judge.
7. Coming out party
Anthony Nelson started his first game as a Pirate and the result, although not perfect, was more than most Pirate fans could have anticipated.
Nelson controlled tempo, played excellent defense, created for his teammates and hit 4-6 shots including a couple of big time baskets when the Pirates were reeling on offense.
8. What doesn't kill you......
Clearly January is going to be a difficult month for the Pirates with Mamu and Powell out with injuries. But looking for a ray of hope the experience gained by the Hall's underclassmen, Rhoden, Anthony and Samuel will prove invaluable when the two injured stars return and the calendar flips to the month of February.
9. Size does matter
Minor point, but the net on the SHU side of the court was at least 10 inches or more longer than the one near the Terrapins bench. Most unusual on a BB court,
10. Thank you Mark
With Kevin Willard's obvious strategy to minimize the amount of possessions in the game it was very surprising that Maryland coach Mark Turgeon didn't pressure the Hall in their half court sets until late.
11. Right on cue
If McKnight isn't the premier defensive player in the Big East then someone is watching a different game than I am. Once again Q cut off the head of the snake, or turtle in this case, by totally neutralizing Maryland's star guard Anthony Cowen to the tune of 3-14 shooting and 5 turnovers.
12. Battle of the Anthonys
Who wound have 'thunk' it leading up to the game that Seton Hall's young PG Anthony Nelson would outplay Maryland's star PG Anthony Cowen. He did and the result was a Pirate victory.
13. Kudos to Ken
Pomeroy that is. Sure his analytics didn't take into consideration the injuries to Sandro and Myles, but hell he was the only one who predicted a SHU victory so for this game we applaud his site.
14. In the dark
Myles Powell due to his concussion has been told to relax, stay away from bright lights and keep physical activities to a minimum as he heals. But last night the players in the post game as well as Kevin Willard made note of his joy back in South Orange as he Faced Time with the team in the locker room, jumping up and down according to the SHU head coach.
BTW, to aid in his recovery Powell is wearing dark glasses. Dorky looking according to one teammate whose name shall remain silent but does share a starting role in the backcourt with the Pirate superstar.
15. Stats don't lie
Well maybe sometimes, but not this one.
Maryland, 17 turnovers to 8 assists.
16. Practice? We're talkin about practice?
Well, with apologizes to Allan Iverson, yeah. Willard as do most coaches always preach that you play like you practice and in the post game the head coach noted that the players had 3 of their best practices all year leading up to this game.
17. Kevin Picasso Willard
Maybe his best masterpiece in his ten years at the Hall.
Willard has taken criticism at times from the fan base. Some earned, some over the top. But last night and the time leading up to the game might be the Seton Hall coach's best head coaching display in his time in South Orange.
After the Rutgers debacle he pushed all the right buttons. He challenged the team. He insisted they watch film of last Saturday's game. He devised a foolproof game plan and then worked the team hard to ensure they were properly equipped to follow the script.
In short he both physically and mentally prepared his players to upset one of the favorites to win the Big Ten title, and did so without his two star offensive players.
Adversity often bring out the best in people. Last night it did and we saw the very best that Kevin Willard has to offer.
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
