SETON HALL Game Notes - Notre Dame 2/26/11 (.pdf)
SETON HALL (11-16, 5-10) at #9 NOTRE DAME (22-5, 11-4)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Joyce Center - Notre Dame, Ind.
7:00 p.m. ET
SETON HALL NOTES
The Pirates have dropped their last two games, falling most recently at Marquette, 73-64, on Saturday. Jeremy Hazell scored 23 points and hit four three-pointers, making him the BIG EAST's all-time three-point leader. Earlier this season, Hazell became the fourth player in Seton Hall history to record 2,000 career points. The 6-foot-5 senior leads four players averaging in double-figures for the Pirates with 18.5 points per game and needs just two made three-pointers to become the BIG EAST's all-time leader.
NOTRE DAME NOTES
The Fighting Irish have won eight of their last nine games including a 94-93 victory at Providence on Wednesday. Notre Dame won despite 52 points from the Friars' Marshon Brooks. The Irish's Ben Hansbrough had a team-high 32 points, while Tim Abromaitis added 28 points. Hansbrough leads four players currently averaging in double figures for Notre Dame with an average of 17.9 points per game, third-best in the BIG EAST. The Fighting Irish are a perfect 15-0 at the Joyce Center this season.
TV: ESPNU - Beth Mowins & Mike Kelley
RADIO: 77 WABC AM - Dave Popkin & Jon Schaeffer
WSOU 89.5 FM - Pat McCabe & Chris Paizis
WEB: PIRATE SPORTS NETWORK - Live Audio Stream
www.SHUpirates.com
SETON HALL - NOTRE DAME SERIES
Seton Hall and Notre Dame will face one another for the 25th time in history on Saturday. The Fighting Irish own a 16-8 all-time series lead. Last season, the teams played twice. The Pirates snapped a six-game losing streak against Notre Dame with a 90-87 victory on Feb. 11 at the Prudential Center. The Fighting Irish redeemed themselves, however with a 68-56 victory in the second round of the BIG EAST Championship on March 10.
LAST 10 GAMES (ND, 8-2)
Date, Score, Location
March 10, 2010, Notre Dame 68, SETON HALL 56, New York, N.Y.
Feb. 11, 2010, SETON HALL 90, Notre Dame 87, Newark, N.J.
Jan. 10, 2009, Notre Dame 88, SETON HALL 79, Notre Dame, Ind.
Feb. 6, 2008, Notre Dame 95, SETON HALL 69, Newark, N.J.
Jan. 14, 2007, Notre Dame 88, SETON HALL 76, Notre Dame, Ind.
Feb. 18, 2006, Notre Dame 102, SETON HALL 91, East Rutherford, N.J.
Jan. 5, 2005, Notre Dame 66, SETON HALL 65, East Rutherford, N.J.
Feb. 14, 2004, Notre Dame 71, SETON HALL 68, Notre Dame, Ind.
Feb. 5, 2003, SETON HALL 78, Notre Dame 72, East Rutherford, N.J.
Jan. 12, 2003, Notre Dame 74, SETON HALL 64, Notre Dame, Ind.
MARQUETTE OUTLASTS PIRATES, 73-64
Senior Jeremy Hazell scored a game-high 23 points, but it was not enough as Marquette held on to defeat Seton Hall, 73-64, in Milwaukee on Feb. 19. Both teams shot very well from the field with the Golden Eagles firing at a 55.1% clip, compared to 45.6% for Seton Hall. The Pirates won the turnover battle, 15-to-10, but were out-rebounded, 40-to-22. Seton Hall's 22 boards were a season-low.
BIG EAST THREE-POINTER KING
With his four made three-pointers at Marquette on Feb. 19, senior Jeremy Hazell became the BIG EAST Conference's all-time leader in made three-pointers in conference games. The long-distance bomber currently has 192 career made three-pointers. He is also the all-time attempts leader with 575. Hazell bested Notre Dame's Colin Falls (189), the previous record holder.
TIED WITH DEHERE
Senior Jeremy Hazell is currently tied with Pirates' legend Terry Dehere with 315 career made three-pointers (all games) in Seton Hall history. He is already Seton Hall's all-time leader in three-pointers attempted. Hazell is also the Pirates' single-season leader in both categories.
SETON HALL NAMES LYONS NEW AD
Patrick G. Lyons was named Director of Athletics and Recreational Services at Seton Hall University on Feb. 22. Lyons comes to Seton Hall after spending the last seven years as Iona College's Director of Athletics and established its department as one of the top programs in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. He was the chief administrator for the Gaels' 21 NCAA Division I athletics programs. Lyons is expected to join the Pirates full-time on March 28.
HAZELL EYES THIRD PLACE
Senior Jeremy Hazell needs just seven points to move into third place on Seton Hall's all-time career scoring list. He's already one of only four players in Pirates' history with 2,000 career points and seven more would push him past Greg Tynes (2,059) into third place behind only immortals Terry Dehere (2,494) and Nick Werkman (2,273).
AGAINST THE RANKED
Notre Dame enters Saturday's game ranked #9 in the Associated Press Poll. Seton Hall is 66-218 (.232) all-time against teams ranked in the AP Top-25. The Pirates are 1-7 so far this year against ranked opponents. They were also 1-7 against ranked teams last year.
AGAINST #9
The Pirates are 4-11 all-time against teams ranked #9 in the nation. However, Seton Hall won its last game against a #9 opponent. The Pirates downed #9 Pittsburgh last year, 64-61, on Jan. 24. The last win prior to beating Pitt last year was over #9 Duke in the national semifinal on April 1, 1989.
FANTASTIC FUQUAN
Freshman Fuquan Edwin is having a break-out rookie campaign. He is currently averaging 8.0 points per game, the highest scoring average for a freshman since Jeremy Hazell tallied 12.8 points per game during the 2007-08 season. Edwin's 23 starts are the most for a freshman since Eugene Harvey started all 29 games during the 2006-07 campaign.
#15 VILLANOVA SQUEAKS PAST PIRATES, 60-57
Senior Jeremy Hazell scored a game-high 25 points and just missed a game-tying three-pointer as time expired, giving #15 Villanova a 60-57 win over Seton Hall on Feb. 15. The Pirates were out-shot, 48.8%-to-32.8% for the game from the floor. The only other Pirate in double-figures was Jordan Theodore, who finished with 10 points.
THE TURNOVER BATTLE
Against Villanova, Seton Hall sported one of its most lopsided turnover battle wins of the year. The Pirates tied a season-high by forcing 22 Wildcats turnovers, but committed only three. For the season, Seton Hall ranks fifth in the BIG EAST in turnover margin at +2.48.
PIRATES WIN AT RUTGERS, 69-64
Seton Hall notched its third BIG EAST road win of the year with a 69-64 victory at Rutgers on Feb. 12. The Pirates shot 50.0% from the field for the game and forced 18 Rutgers turnovers. Jeremy Hazell, Jordan Theodore and Herb Pope all scored in double-figures for The Hall.
2,000 POINTS
With 19 points at Rutgers on Feb. 12, senior Jeremy Hazell joined Terry Dehere, Nick Werkman and Greg Tynes as just the fourth player in Seton Hall history to record 2,000 career points. He becomes the 30th player in BIG EAST Conference history to reach the milestone. Hazell accomplishes the feat despite missing 13 games earlier this season to injury.
EFFICIENT THEODORE
Junior Jordan Theodore had a strong all-around game at Rutgers on Feb. 12. The point guard came off the bench to record 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting, including 3-for-5 from three-point range. Theodore also grabbed four rebounds and dished out six assists with no turnovers.
RAC DOMINANCE
Seton Hall's 69-64 victory at Rutgers on Feb. 12 was its fourth straight win at the Rutgers Athletic Center. Four individuals associated with the Seton Hall program have sported perfect 4-0 records at the facility, senior player Jeremy Hazell and senior managers Brian Burke, Sean Drury and Adam Satz.
PLAYERS DISMISSED
Head coach Kevin Willard announced on Feb. 12 that seniors Jamel Jackson and Keon Lawrence were dismissed from the men's basketball team effective immediately. The decision was made due to a violation of team rules and an ongoing pattern of conduct unbecoming of a representative of Seton Hall athletics.
#6 CONNECTICUT EDGES PIRATES, 61-59
Playing its sixth nationally-ranked opponent in nine games, Seton Hall gave #6 Connecticut all it could handle before being edge, 61-59, on Feb. 5. The Pirates out-rebounded the Huskies, 42-to-33, but couldn't hold on to a 14-point lead with just under 14 minutes remaining. Both Jeremy Hazell and Jeff Robinson recorded double-doubles.
DEFENSE RULES; TEAMS COMBINE FOR 100 POINTS
The Pirates were held to just 17 first half points and eventually fell at #25 West Virginia, 56-44, in a defensive battle, Wednesday. Senior Jeff Robinson led the team with nine points. Junior Herb Pope had eight points and a team-high seven rebounds. Seton Hall used a 15-2 run late to pull to within nine, but would get no closer.
STOUT DEFENSE
Despite the loss, Seton Hall's defense held 25th-ranked West Virginia to just 56 points on Feb. 2. It's the second-lowest point total allowed to a BIG EAST opponent this year (USF - 55). Furthermore, the Pirates won the turnover battle, 14-to-11, and held the Mountaineers to just two field goals over the game's final 11:50.
EMERGING AUDA
Playing in his second game since returning from an injured foot, freshman Patrik Auda had a strong game off the bench. He scored five points, including a three-pointer, grabbed four rebounds and collected a steal in 19 minutes of action.
DOUBLE DUTY
For the second time this season, two Seton Hall players recorded a double-double against #6 Connecticut on Feb. 5. Senior Jeremy Hazell scored 20 points and grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds, while senior Jeff Robinson scored 15 points and added 11 rebounds. It was Robinson's fourth double-double of the year and Hazell's first.
PIRATES POUND PROVIDENCE, 81-71
Seton Hall won its second straight game with an 81-71 victory over Providence at the Prudential Center on Jan. 30. It marked the second straight game that the Pirates had five players who scored in double-figures, and for a second straight game, Seton Hall never trailed in the contest. The Pirates defense forced 19 Friars turnovers and held Providence to just 23 first half points.
FRONTCOURT DELIVERS
Seton Hall's frontcourt duo of Herb Pope and Jeff Robinson continued its strong play vs. Providence on Jan. 30. Pope and Robinson combined for 43 of the Pirates' 81 points. Both were efficient as well as Pope was 9-for-15 from the floor, while Robinson was 9-for-16 including a pair of made three-pointers.
HAZELL'S HONOR ROLL
Senior Jeremy Hazell was named to the BIG EAST Conference Men's Basketball Weekly Honor Roll on Jan. 31. Hazell averaged 19.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists in week that saw Seton Hall go 2-0. Playing in only his fifth game since returning from a broken wrist, Hazell tied his season-high with a game-high 28 points in the Pirates' 90-68 shocking upset at #9 Syracuse last Tuesday. He was 5-for-10 from three-point range and pulled down a season-high nine rebounds.
A PAPAL PERFORMANCE
Continuing in his long journey back from a health scare last spring, junior Herb Pope had another monster game vs. Providence on Jan. 30. The 6-foot-8 power forward scored a season-high with a game-best 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting from the floor. Pope was also 5-for-7 from the free throw line and collected a team-best 10 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season and 19 of his career. He also blocked four shots.
PIRATES UPSET #9 SYRACUSE, 90-68
All five starters scored in double-figures as the Seton Hall men's basketball team upset #9 Syracuse, 90-68, at the Carrier Dome on Tuesday. It marked only the fifth time in history that the Pirates had won at the Dome and snapped a five-game losing streak in the series to Syracuse. Seton Hall dominated from the start, jumping out to a 10-2 lead to begin the game. The Pirates shot 54.1%, compared to 36.1% for Syracuse, and led by as many as 27 points in the game's closing minutes. Seton Hall also out-rebounded the Orange for the second time this season.
THEODORE FILLS BOX SCORE
Jordan Theodore had a strong all-around game at Syracuse on Jan. 25. The 6-foot point guard scored 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting, grabbed six rebounds and dished out seven assists.
HAZELL LEADS WAY
Senior Jeremy Hazell, playing in only his fifth game since returning from a broken wrist, tied his season-high with 28 points and added a team-high nine rebounds in an upset victory at Syracuse on Jan. 25. Hazell also dished out four assists and recorded four steals in the win.
BEATING RANKED TEAMS
Seton Hall's victory at Syracuse on Jan. 25 was its first over a ranked opponent this season and only its fifth in the last five years. The Pirates' last win over a ranked opponent came last season when they defeated #9 Pittsburgh, 64-61, at Prudential Center. The last time Seton Hall defeated a Top-10 team on the road was on March 3, 2006, a 65-61 victory at #8 Pittsburgh.
PIRATES FALL TO RUTGERS, 66-60
Despite another strong effort from the Pirates' frontcourt, Seton Hall fell to Rutgers, 66-60, at the Prudential Center on Jan. 22. The Pirates were beaten on the glass, 44-to-38, and were out-shot 47.2%-to-33.8%. Herb Pope and Jeff Robinson combined for 27 points and 24 rebounds.
500/500 CLUB
With nine rebounds against Georgetown on Jan. 18, junior Herb Pope became the 34th player in Seton Hall history to record 500 career points and 500 career rebounds. Prior to Pope, John Garcia became the most recent player to join the list (2009-10).
#23 GEORGETOWN EDGES PIRATES, 80-75
Seton Hall led by as many as seven points in the second half, but a late flurry guided #23 Georgetown to an 80-75 win on Jan. 18. Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year Austin Freeman scored a game-high 28 points on 10-of-13 shooting. Senior Jeff Robinson led the Pirates with 21 points, shooting 9-of-13 from the field while grabbing seven boards. Junior Jordan Theodore had 17 points, six assists and no turnovers in 35 minutes of action.
POPE'S SEASON-HIGHS
Junior Herb Pope scored a season-high 15 points at DePaul. In a strong all-around game, he also grabbed six rebounds and dished out a season-high five assists in only 23 minutes.
#5 PITTSBURGH DOWNS PIRATES, 74-53
Seton Hall fell to fifth-ranked Pittsburgh, 74-53, on Jan. 15. It marked the homecoming for Herb Pope, who grew up in nearby Aliquippa, Pa., and head coach Kevin Willard, who is a University of Pittsburgh graduate. Although the Pirates were barely edged in shooting percentage, 41.7%-to-41.2%, they were badly beaten on the glass, 51-to-27.
POPE'S RETURN TO PITT
Junior Herb Pope had a strong return to his hometown. The 6-foot-8 power forward recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 15 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high six blocked shots.
BLOCK PARTY
Seton Hall blocked a season-high 11 shots at Pittsburgh on Jan. 15. Junior Herb Pope blocked a career-high six shots. Senior Jeff Robinson blocked a career-high three shots. Senior Eniel Polynice blocked a pair of shots as well.
PIRATES GET FIRST ROAD BIG EAST WIN
Seton Hall won their first BIG EAST road game of the season with a 78-67 victory at DePaul on Wednesday. The Pirates shot a blistering 58.5% from the field, compared to just 38.5% for DePaul. Seton Hall also out-rebounded the Blue Demons, 39-to-31.
THE CAPTAIN RETURNS
After missing nearly two months with a broken left wrist, senior Jeremy Hazell returned to the court at DePaul on Jan. 12. The 6-foot-5 guard scored a game-high 23 points on 10-for-17 shooting in 30 minutes of action off the bench.
500 FOR ROBINSON
With eight points at DePaul on Jan. 12, senior Jeff Robinson became the 108th player in Seton Hall history to record 500 career points. Earlier this season, Jordan Theodore and Herb Pope became the 106th and 107th players respectively.
UPSET FALLS SHORT VS. #4 SYRACUSE, 61-56
The Pirates gave fourth-ranked and undefeated Syracuse all it could handle on Jan. 8, but alas fell to the Orange, 61-56, at Prudential Center. In a strong defensive effort, Seton Hall trailed by only one point at halftime and held Syracuse to just 20 first half points. The Pirates out-rebounded the Orange, 44-to-32, for the game.
ROBINSON'S RULE
Senior Jeff Robinson saved his best game of the season to date for #4 Syracuse on Jan. 8. The 6-foot-6 forward tied a season-high with 17 points and tied his career-high with 14 rebounds. It was his fifth career double-double.
POPE DOMINATES POST
Junior Herb Pope played arguably his best game in a Seton Hall uniform vs. #4 Syracuse on Jan. 8. The 6-foot-8 forward scored a season-high 14 points and dominated the glass, pulling down a career-high tying 20 rebounds. Pope's nine offensive boards were more than Syracuse had as a team (seven). Additionally, he tied a career-high with four steals.
ASTOUNDING REBOUNDING
Junior Herb Pope grabbed 20 rebounds, while senior Jeff Robinson pulled down 14 rebounds in a 61-56 loss to #4 Syracuse on Jan. 8. Their combined effort out-rebounded the entire Syracuse team, 34-to-32.
GERAMIPOOR BACK
Freshman Aaron Geramipoor made his career debut vs. #4 Syracuse on Jan. 8. The Manchester, England native had missed the team's first 15 games due to Mononucleosis. Geramipoor played just one minute, but did use his 6-foot-11 frame to grab one rebound.
500 FOR POPE
With 14 points against Syracuse on Jan. 8, junior Herb Pope became the 107th player in Seton Hall history to record 500 career points. Earlier this season, Jordan Theodore became the 106th player to join the list.
LOUISVILLE DOWNS PIRATES, 73-54
Freshman Fuquan Edwin scored a career-high 18 points, but it was not enough as the Pirates fell at Louisville, 73-54 on Jan. 5. Seton Hall couldn't rebound from a 24-2 hole to start the game and shot a season-low 29.0% from the field. Jeff Robinson also scored in double-figures (14 points).
FRONTCOURT FODDER
Both Herb Pope and Jeff Robinson recorded double-doubles vs. #4 Syracuse on Jan. 8. It marked the first time that two Pirates had accomplished the feat in the same game since Pope and Robinson did so last season at Rutgers (3/4/10). In that game, Pope scored 22 points and pulled down 18 rebounds. Robinson scored 16 points and grabbed 14 boards.
PIRATES DROP FIRST BIG EAST GAME
Senior Keon Lawrence scored a career-high 15 points, but the Seton Hall offense went cold late in the second half and the Pirates suffered their first BIG EAST loss at the hands of Cincinnati, 70-53, on New Year's Eve. Seton Hall shot 33.3% from the floor for the game and was out-rebounded 34-to-26.
POPE IMPROVING FROM LINE
Junior Herb Pope set career-highs with eight free-throws made and 12 free-throws attempted at Cincinnati on New Year's Eve. He was 4-for-6 from the line in the prior game vs. USF. Pope was 4-for-5 from the line vs. #4 Syracuse.
POPE PICKING UP PLAY
Junior Herb Pope posted his second double-double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds vs. USF on Dec. 28. It marked the fourth time in five games that he has pulled down double-digit rebounds. Currently, he's averaging 8.4 rebounds per game, third-best in the BIG EAST.
PIRATES OPEN BIG EAST PLAY WITH WIN
Five players scored in double-figures as the Pirates picked up a 64-55 victory over USF in its BIG EAST opener on Dec. 28. The Pirates were led by senior Jeff Robinson, who scored a game-high 15 points. Although there were 10 ties in the first half, there were none in the second as the Pirates expanded their two-point halftime lead into a nine-point victory. Seton Hall out-shot, out-rebounded and forced more turnovers than USF.
PIRATES FALL TO RICHMOND, 69-61
Seton Hall played another strong first half, and led at halftime 35-30, but could not hold off Richmond in the second half and fell, 69-61, on Dec. 26. Seton Hall shot a blistering 57.1% in the first half from the floor, but only 25.0% in the second frame. The Pirates out-rebounded the Spiders, 40-to-33.
DOUBLING UP
Senior Jeff Robinson notched his second double-double of the 2010-11 season with a season-high 17 points and 10 rebounds vs. Richmond on Dec. 26. The 6-foot-6 forward was an efficient 7-for-10 from the field and also dished out two assists in 37 minutes of action. Robinson is now averaging 12.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
DAYTON RALLIES TO EDGE SHU, 69-65
Seton Hall dropped a 69-65 decision to Dayton on Dec. 22. The Pirates led by 14 at the intermission, but the Flyers used a 13-0 run in the second half to rally and edge Seton Hall for the four-point win. It what may be been Seton Hall's best first half of the year, the Pirates shot 50.0% and held Dayton to just 27.8%.
FIRST TEAM FOR HAZELL
Senior Jeremy Hazell was named to the 2010-11 Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team. A two-time All-BIG EAST honoree, Hazell is the conference's active leader in points, ppg, three-pointers made, steals and steals average.
HOLLOWAY RETURNS
Seton Hall legend Shaheen Holloway returns this year as the Pirates' Associate Head Coach for his third stint with the Seton Hall men's basketball team. A three-time All-BIG EAST performer, he's the Pirates' all-time leader in assists and captained the 2000 team to a birth in the NCAA Sweet-16 as a senior. After graduation, Holloway played professionally in Europe before returning to Seton Hall for one year in 2006 as a member the men's basketball staff. In 2007, he joined Kevin Willard's staff as an assistant coach at Iona College where he has remained for the last three seasons.
PIRATES DROP NJIT, 68-45
Seton Hall won its third straight game with a 68-45 victory over NJIT on Dec. 19. Freshman Fuquan Edwin led the Pirates in scoring for a second straight game with 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting and tied a career-high with nine rebounds. Seton Hall shot 50 percent from the field, while limiting NJIT to 30.4 percent and held a 21-7 edge in bench scoring.
EDWIN NAMED TOP ROOKIE
Freshman Fuquan Edwin was named BIG EAST Rookie of the Week on Dec. 20 after helping Seton Hall to a pair of victories the prior week. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 15.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals vs. Longwood and NJIT. It is the first Rookie of the Week award for a Pirate since Jeremy Hazell earned the distinction on Jan. 21, 2008. Edwin has started 23 of the team's first 27 games this season.
BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE
Junior Jordan Theodore dished out a career-high 10 assists in Seton Hall's victory over NJIT on Dec. 19. He notched his career-high in just 23 minutes and turned the ball over only twice. With a 4.4 assists per game average, Theodore currently ranks 10th in the BIG EAST.
AIR JORDAN
Point guard Jordan Theodore had arguably his best career game vs. Arkansas. The 6-foot junior scored a career-high 24 points and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line.
PIRATES SHUT DOWN LONGWOOD, 78-51
Seton Hall notched its second straight easy victory with a 78-51 victory over Longwood on Dec. 13. With the win, the Pirates improve to a perfect 3-0 at the Prudential Center this season. Three Pirates scored in double-figures, Fuquan Edwin, Jordan Theodore and Jeff Robinson, who scored 17, 17 and 15 points respectively.
THEODORE NAMED TO HONOR ROLL
Junior Jordan Theodore was named to the BIG EAST Conference Men's Basketball Weekly Honor Roll on Dec. 13. Theodore averaged 20.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists in week that saw Seton Hall go 1-1. Theodore scored a game-high and career-high 24 points in a 71-62 loss to Arkansas last Wednesday. In the Pirates' 104-79 victory at UMass, Theodore again led the team with 17 points. He also tied a career-high with eight assists and was 5-for-6 from the free throw line in just 23 minutes of action.
HAZELL SHOT
Injured All-America candidate Jeremy Hazell fell victim to an attempted robbery. Hazell, who has been out since Nov. 19 with a broken left wrist, was shot below his right arm on Christmas and spent the night at St. Lukes Hospital. Hazell has already rejoined the team.
EFFICIENT EDWIN
After scoring a career-best 13 points at UMass, Edwin responded with 17 points and a career-high nine rebounds vs. Longwood on Dec. 13. Edwin also recorded three steals and played a career-best 34 minutes.
FIRST DOUBLE-DOUBLE FOR POPE
Junior Herb Pope logged his first double-double of the 2010-11 season at UMass with 11 points and 13 rebounds. He also tied a career-high with five blocks. Pope entered the season as the BIG EAST active leader in double-doubles. He recorded a team-best 13 last season.
PIRATES ROUT UMASS
Seven players scored in double-figures as Seton Hall used a balanced offensive attack to rout Massachusetts, 104-79, in Amherst on Dec. 12. The Pirates led by 13 at the half and shot 73.1% from the floor in the second half to cruise to their first true road victory of the Kevin Willard era. Junior Jordan Theodore had his second straight strong performance with a team-leading 17 points and a career-high tying eight assists in just 23 minutes. Ferrakohn Hall, Fuquan Edwin and Patrik Auda all logged career-highs in scoring with 15, 13 and 10 points respectively.
ONLY NICK WERKMAN
If Jeremy Hazell can average at least 20 points per game this season, he'll join only Nick Werkman as Pirates who have averaged at least 20 points per game in three different seasons. Currently, Hazell is one of just five Pirates (Werkman, Greg Tynes, Ken House and Dick Gaines) to have averaged at least 20 points per game for two seasons.
HOT SHOTS
After struggling to find offense in the absence of leading-scorer Jeremy Hazell for its first four games without the All-America candidate, Seton Hall's offense broke out in a big way at UMass. The Pirates scored 104 points and nine players scored six or more points. As a team, Seton Hall shot 60.0% (36-for-60) from the floor for the game marking the first time since Nov. 27, 2000 that the Pirates shot 60% or better. Even more impressive was Seton Hall's 73.1% from the floor in the second half. The Pirates were also 21-for-25 from the free-throw line and 11-for-22 from behind the three-point arc.
SEVEN IN DOUBLE-FIGURES
Seton Hall had seven players score in double-figures vs. UMass. Additionally, Keon Lawrence fell one point shy of being the eighth player in the game to score in double-figures. In the 27 seasons that this statistic has been kept at Seton Hall, no Pirates' squad had ever had seven players score in double-figures in the same game.
CZECH-MATE
Freshman Patrik Auda (Brno, Czech Republic) helped seal the Pirates victory at UMass with a pair of three-point plays in the span of 1:30 early in the second half. His second three-point play pushed the Seton Hall lead to 14 points. For the game, Auda scored a career-high 10 points, grabbed three rebounds, recorded two steals and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.
HOME SWEET HOME
Seton Hall's game at UMass on Dec. 11 finished a stretch of games away from home in the team's first eight games this season. Not since the 1971-72 season have the Pirates played six of their first eight games away from home. That year, seven of the Pirates first nine games were played on the road, but two were at Madison Square Garden.
AUDA MAKES FIRST START
Freshman Patrik Auda made the first start of his collegiate career vs. Saint Peter's on Nov. 29. The 6-foot-9 forward played a season-high 22 minutes and scored three points, grabbed five rebounds and logged one block and one steal.
AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
This season Seton Hall is 6-7 at Prudential Center. All-time, Seton Hall is 41-24. Furthermore, Seton Hall is 16-18 all-time at Prudential Center against BIG EAST opponents.
PIRATES HOST FOR 2011 NCAA REGIONAL
Seton Hall University has been named a host institution for the Regional Round of the 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. In conjunction with Seton Hall serving as host, the Prudential Center will be the competition venue for two games of the regional semifinals on March 25, 2011 and the regional final on March 27, 2011. It will mark the first time the City of Newark has hosted the event. It is the first time Seton Hall has hosted a round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship since 1999.
WATCH THE PIRATES
Overall, at least 22 of the Pirates' 30 regular season games will be televised with nine games on national television. Seton Hall's games at the 2010 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam may be carried by Fox College Sports and Fox Sports Net. The Pirates' only two non-televised home games, Longwood (12/13) and NJIT (12/19), will be streamed live via the Pirates Sports Network at www.SHUpirates.com.
LISTEN TO THE PIRATES
For the eighth consecutive year, play- by-play voice Gary Cohen and color analyst Dave Popkin will team up to call all the Pirates' action. 77 WABC will serve as the flagship station for Pirates Basketball and will air all weekend games over their 50,000 watt clear channel signal. Weekday games will be aired throughout New York City and New Jersey on AM 1600 WWRL, Classic Oldies WMTR 1250 AM, 1160 WOBM-AM and WADB 1310 AM. Pirate fans outside of the radio market can tune in to hear Seton Hall basketball live on SHUpirates.com, the official website of Seton Hall University Athletics.
ARKANSAS OUTLASTS PIRATES, 71-62
Junior Jordan Theodore scored a career-high 24 points, but he was the lone Seton Hall player in double-figures and the Pirates fell to Arkansas, 71-62, in the DIRECTV SEC/BIG EAST Invitational. Five Arkansas players scored in double-figures including Julysses Nobles who scored a team-high 19 points. Seton Hall out-played the Razorbacks in the second half, but the 12-point halftime deficit was too much to overcome.
WILLARD'S STAFF
Shaheen Holloway and Dan McHale, who were assistant coaches under Willard at Iona, have joined him at Seton Hall. Holloway returns as the Pirates' new associate head coach, while McHale is an assistant coach. Chris Pompey, formerly an assistant coach at New Mexico State, is also an assistant at Seton Hall. Stephen Sauers, who was the Pirates' director of basketball operations from 2006-08, returns in that capacity for Seton Hall this season. Grant Billmeier and Casey Stanley are coordinators of basketball operations. Khyl Farrison follows Willard to Seton Hall from Iona as strength & conditioning coach, while Ryan Whalen was tabbed to serve as video assistant.
LESS THAN 50
Seton Hall turned in a strong defensive effort against Saint Peter's on Nov. 29 in a 69-49 victory. It marked the first time since the Pirates defeated Princeton, 79-41, on Jan. 29, 2007, that Seton Hall held its opponent to under 50 points scored. The Pirates also held the Peacocks to just 34.0% shooting from the floor and forced 15 turnovers. The Pirates achieved the milestone again vs. NJIT, giving up just 45 points on Dec. 19.
PIRATES POUND PEACOCKS, 69-49
The Pirates used a strong second-half effort to top Saint Peter's, 69-49, on Nov. 29 at Prudential Center. Seton Hall's bench was the story as it outscored the Peacocks' reserves 32-17, led by Jordan Theodore's 11 first-half points. Senior Keon Lawrence and freshman Patrik Auda each turned in their finest performances of the season. Lawrence scored five points and dished out five assists with no turnovers in 22 minutes of action. Auda grabbed five boards and was strong defensively with a steal and a blocked shot.
TAKING CARE OF THE BALL
Seton Hall showed great poise with the basketball vs. Saint Peter's. After committing a season-high 20 turnovers vs. Clemson in the Paradise Jam finale, the Pirates turned the ball over a season-low five times against the Peacocks. As a team, Seton Hall had 16 assists and just five turnovers.
CLEMSON DEALS PIRATES OT LOSS, 64-58
The Pirates rallied from an eight-point second half deficit to force overtime, but could not take the lead in the extra session and lost to Clemson, 64-58, in the consolation game of the 2010 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam. Senior Jeff Robinson was the only Pirate to score in double-figures. He finished with team-highs of 16 points and eight rebounds. As a team, Seton Hall placed fifth in the eight-team field.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM FOR ROBINSON
Senior Jeff Robinson was named to the 2010 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam All-Tournament Team. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 15.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in Seton Hall's three tournament games.
SETON HALL FALLS TO XAVIER, 57-52
Xavier's Tu Holloway hit a fade-away three-pointer in the corner with just 17 second left as the Pirates fell to the Musketeers, 57-52, in the semifinals of the 2010 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam. Senior Jamel Jackson connected on a three-pointer to tie the score at 52, with just 50 seconds remaining setting up Holloway's dramatics on the ensuing possession. Senior Jeff Robinson led four Pirates in double-figures with 15 points. Junior Herb Pope had 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
PIRATES OUTLAST ALABAMA
Seton Hall trailed by as many as nine points in the first half, but came back and outlasted the Crimson Tide for an 83-78 victory in the first round of the 2010 Paradise Jam. The Pirates received a game-high 27 points from senior Jeremy Hazell. Herb Pope, Jeff Robinson and Jordan Theodore also scored in double-figures for the Pirates.
HIGH PERCENTAGES
In Seton Hall's victory over Alabama, both teams shot incredibly well from the floor, and in particular, from three-point range. The Pirates shot 55.1% from the floor for the game and shot an astounding 60.0% in the second half. Alabama meanwhile shot 53.4% for the game. Combined, the teams were 20-for-27 from three-point range. Seton Hall was 10-for-13, while the Crimson Tide were 10-for-14.
A FIRST IN 18 YEARS
The Pirates victory over Alabama marked their first victory over an SEC team since they defeated Tennessee on Nov. 21, 1992.
EFFICIENT HAZELL
Senior Jeremy Hazell erupted for a game-high 28 points in Seton Hall's victory over Cornell on Nov. 14. Most impressive was his shooting percentage. Hazell was an efficient 8-for-11 from the field, 4-for-6 from three-point range and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
PIRATES CRUSH CORNELL
New Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard needed to only wait until game two to pick up his first victory as the Pirates defeated Cornell, 92-68, on Nov. 14. The Pirates shot 43.1% from the floor and pulled down 46 rebounds in the win.
MR. ROBINSON'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Senior Jeff Robinson had a nice bounce-back game vs. Cornell on Nov. 14. The 6-foot-6 senior picked up the first double-double for the Pirates this season with 16 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. It was Robinson's third career double-double and he did it in only 22 minutes of action.
ALL-AROUND AUDA
Freshman Patrik Auda had a fine all-around game in only his second in a Pirates' uniform vs. Cornell. Auda scored just one point, but grabbed five rebounds, blocked three shots and dished out two assists in 17 minutes of action.
NEAR TRIPLE-DOUBLE
On Nov. 14 vs. Cornell, Jordan Theodore scored 10 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out seven assists coming close to recording what would have been only the second triple-double in Seton Hall history. Eddie Griffin recorded the only triple-double on Dec. 4, 2000 vs. Norfolk State. Griffin had 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks.
HAZELL LEADS WAY IN OPENER
Senior Jeremy Hazell scored a game-high 17 points in the Pirates season-opener at #22 Temple. The All-America candidate was 6-for-15 from the floor including 2-for-5 from three-point range.
HAZELL LANDS ON WOODEN TOP-50
Senior Jeremy Hazell was named to The John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 list as announced by The Los Angeles Athletic Club. The list is comprised of 50 student-athletes who, based on last year's individual performance and team records, are the early frontrunners for college basketball's most prestigious honor. Only six other BIG EAST players were on the list.
PIRATES FALL AT #22 TEMPLE
Despite a furious late-game rally, the Seton Hall men's basketball team fell to #22 Temple, 62-56, in their 2010-11 season-opener, Nov. 12. The Owls led as many as 16 points with just 4:16 remaining in regulation, but the Pirates finished the game with a 12-2 run that saw Temple's lead dwindle to just four at 60-56 with 20 seconds remaining. Senior Jeremy Hazell led Seton Hall with 17 points and was the only Pirate to finish in double-figures in scoring.
CHARLESTON CLASSIC
The Pirates will be a part of the eight-team field at the 2011 Charleston Classic set to be held, Nov. 17-20, at Carolina First Arena in Charleston, S.C. In addition to the Pirates, participating schools include: Baylor, Georgia Tech, LSU, Saint Joseph's, Tulsa, Virginia Commonwealth and Western Kentucky. The 2011 Charleston Classic, a bracket-format tournament, will feature 12 games over the three days. Each team will compete in one game per day, advancing through a bracket-tournament format.
PIRATES SLAM WILLIAM PATERSON IN TUNE-UP
Seton Hall forced 20 turnovers and committed only five as the Pirates defeated William Paterson, 97-55, in exhibition action on Nov. 5. Junior Herb Pope scored 16 points and pulled down a game-high 20 rebounds. Freshman Fuquan Edwin also impressed in his debut in a Pirates uniform with 15 points, five rebounds and four steals. Jeremy Hazell (16 points), Ferrakohn Hall (13 points) and Jeff Robinson (11 points) also scored in double figures.
HAZELL A CANDIDATE
Senior Jeremy Hazell was selected as a candidate for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in basketball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - community, classroom, character and competition.
A SETON HALL FIRST
Junior Herb Pope became the first Seton Hall player in history to finish the regular season as the BIG EAST leader in rebounds per game. The Aliquippa, Pa. native pulled down 11.1 rebounds per game in conference play, which was more than a rebound and a half ahead of the second place individual (Greg Monroe, 9.3 rpg).
POLYNICE TRANSFERS IN
A transfer from the University of Mississippi, Eniel Polynice received a waiver from the NCAA that has allowed him to play immediately for the Pirates and not have to sit out a year per standard transfer regulations. The 6-foot-5 guard graduated from Ole Miss earlier this year with one year of eligibility remaining. Because the University of Mississippi does not offer a graduate degree in his field of study (communications), Polynice was granted the ability to pursue additional education without penalty at an institution that does offer his preferred graduate program. Polynice was a member of the Rebels' program for four years, but was a medical redshirt during the 2008-09 season following knee surgery. He has played in 102 games and made 65 starts while averaging 7.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. A member of the UMAA Academic Honor Roll, Polynice is one of only three players in Ole Miss history to record over 700 career points, 300 rebounds and 300 assists.
INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR
Two members of Coach Willard's first recruiting class will provide a distinct international flavor this year. Patrik Auda is a 6-foot-9 forward from Brno, Czech Republic and Aaron Geramipoor is a 6-foot-11 center from Manchester, England. Both played at the Canarias Basketball Academy in the Canary Islands. The left-handed Auda is considered to have a strong all-around game and is a good three-point shooter. Geramipoor possesses strong low-post moves and was the starting center on England's under-18 national team.
LOOKING AHEAD
ST. JOHN'S
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Prudential Center
Newark, N.J.
TV: ESPN/ESPN2
Live Audio Stream: www.SHUpirates.com
Radio: Seton Hall Radio Network / WSOU 89.5 FM
NOTEBOOK: Seton Hall will return home for the final two games of the 2010-11 regular season. It'll face St. John's on Thursday, March 3 and finally, Marquette on Senior Night, March 5. St. John's is one of the hottest teams in the BIG EAST having won six of its last seven games including victories over Top-10 teams Duke, Connecticut and Pittsburgh. This will be the 87th meeting all-time between the Red Storm and Seton Hall with St. John's holding a 54-32 series lead. However, the Pirates have fared far better in recent years having won seven of the last 10 meetings including a 59-50 victory at Carnesecca Arena last season. Three players are currently averaging in double figures for St. John's including Dwight Hardy who is a BIG EAST Player of the Year candidate.
