PirateCrew: Seton Hall Pirates Football & Basketball Recruiting
The definitive source for all PirateCrew news.
By JP Pelzman
Some thoughts and observations, looking back at Yale and ahead to Michigan and beyond:
First meeting since 1989, but... Just to clarify for some (and I know the longtime fans all know this already) it is not the first meeting since, well, you know. The teams had a rematch on Dec. 23, 1989 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The Wolverines prevailed in a non-controversial fashion, 91-86 as--guess who--Rumeal Robinson scored 26 points.
Of course, that’s all ancient history to the players, who were years away from being born.
“We don’t really care about that,” Jared Rhoden said. “We're just trying to approach each game step-by-step.”
Coach Kevin Willard acknowledged the importance of the game to the fans and that he remembered the game, but added with a laugh, “I can’t remember my garage code so I'm not going to remember what I was doing at 14.”
Being careful.
Willard wisely kept senior wing Rhoden, returning from an ankle injury, on a minutes limit against Yale. He played one second under 21 minutes--Willard had decided on no more than 22--and came out fine.
“He moved great. He looked great,” Willard said. “It was important for me to make sure he got a little bit of game action going into Tuesday. It was important for me moving forward.”
Willard said afterward he also planned to limit Rhoden’s minutes somewhat against Michigan on Tuesday. He also will consult with trainer Tony Testa. Of course, it likely also will depend on how Rhoden feels after playing, and how he feels after a flight from Newark to Michigan.
Rhoden said, “To be honest, I just really wanted to get some good cardio in. … I just wanted to not mess up. These guys are playing really good basketball. I watch them every day in practice and I just wanted to fit in as best as I could.”
That’s nice of Rhoden to say, but make no mistake, he eventually will need to do more than fit in if this team is to reach its ceiling. Rhoden finished with eight points and 10 rebounds against Yale.
The Ikey factor.
Not only does the depth help The Hall’s defense, but having a rim protector in Ike Obiagu enables perimeter defenders to take more chances, Willard says.
“When you have Ike down low,” Willard said, “it’s a nice thing, that you can be aggressive. You can switch and be aggressive. If you get beat, (they) still have to deal with him.”
Rhoden marveled at the progress Obiagu has made since transferring from Florida State before the 2018-19 season, his sit out year at The Hall. Obiagu had three blocked shots Sunday and has eight in two games.
“I think playing behind Ro (Gill) was big for him,” Rhoden said. “He got to watch Ro and learn from Ro in just timing his blocks, his positioning. He does an amazing job and he changes the game for us every game.”
Yetna’s versatility.
South Florida transfer Alexis Yetna showed off his inside-outside game by going 3-for-5 from three-point range. Pretty impressive for a 6-8 forward.
He sat out the 2019-20 season at USF with a knee injury.
“I feel like last year I was just getting back to where I was before,” he said, “and feeling good (physically) and now I can think about taking that next step with my game. I feel like the coaches put me in a good position. Coach Grant (Billmeier), I've worked a lot with him, he’s giving me great advice.”
Richmond adjusting.
Kadary Richmond had 13 points and only one foul after being in foul trouble during the opener against FDU. Richmond is making the change from Syracuse’s 2-3 zone to Willard’s man-to-man concepts.
He said it’s “not really a transition, but flying around, talking and switching.”
Once he gets the hang of it, his long wingspan could be annoying for opposing point guards.
Scouting Michigan.
As expected, Dickinson is leading the way by averaging 19 points through two games, with guard Eli Brooks second at 13.0. Coastal Carolina transfer DeVante’ Jones is averaging 8.5 points and five assists. The Wolverines are allowing 19.6% shooting from beyond the arc.
Win or lose, Willard believes the game will be beneficial.
Willard said, “This is going to give me a blueprint for December, what I need to work on, what we need to work on, where we need to improve, what we’re doing well.
“It's going to prepare us for the rest of the season,” he added.
