Newark, N.J. – Coming off one of the worst seasons in program history, Seton Hall attacked the transfer portal with purpose, targeting players who fit Coach Shaheen Holloway’s identity. Based on their season-opening performance, it looks like may have them. The Pirates rolled past Saint Peter’s in a 77–50 victory, showcasing their improved depth, toughness, and overall growth as a team.
Midway through the summer, the Seton Hall staff was searching for a big man — and they struck gold with Najai Hines, the No. 71 nationally ranked player per 247Sports. On opening night, Hines showed exactly why. The freshman finished with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 blocks in just 21 minutes, using his elite length to challenge St. Peter’s at the rim without hesitation. A former Power Five tight end recruit, Hines was a dominant interior presence, carving up the Peacocks’ zone for easy finishes around the basket. His impact wasn’t limited to offense, as he also proved he can switch onto quick guards — a rare and valuable trait for a player his size.
In Shaheen Holloway’s four years at Seton Hall, he has struggled to find a true point guard who fits his style — until he landed Budd Clark. Clark was outstanding tonight. While his stat line didn’t jump off the page, he delivered all the intangibles that don’t always show up in the box score. He injected pace into the offense, creating an uptempo flow that led to easy baskets, even when they didn’t come off assists. Against St. Peter’s zone, Clark operated with poise and precision throughout his 25 minutes, consistently generating clean looks for his teammates and keeping the offense organized.
Even in St. Peter’s 27-point loss, there was a clear bright spot: TJ Robinson. The freshman showcased impressive shot-creation off the dribble, no matter who Seton Hall threw at him. Though he finished with just 11 points, Robinson was the Peacocks’ lone offensive engine, especially with the Pirates locking down Bryce Eaton. He consistently got into the lane, found his spots, and drew fouls to earn trips to the line. Robinson’s ability to create his own shot in a variety of situations stood out, and it will be interesting to see how his game develops in the MAAC this season — with a likely jump to a Power Five program in the next couple of years.
One of Seton Hall’s biggest weaknesses last season was its frontcourt production, particularly at the center position, which combined for just 7.3 points per game. Tonight, the Pirates made it clear that upgrading this area was a priority — and it showed. In addition to Hines’ breakout performance, Stephon Payne provided the perfect complement. While their skill sets differ, Payne’s lateral quickness is a major asset. He switched effectively onto guards, disrupted passing lanes, and generated turnovers with active hands. Payne, the Pirates’ starting center, finished with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks while shooting 3-for-4 from the line. The Hines–Payne duo brought a true “Sonic & Knuckles” dynamic to the floor. With Godswill Erheriene set to return from injury, Seton Hall should have no shortage of frontcourt talent this season.
One of the most interesting things tonight was Holloway essentially making a full hockey-style line change at the under–16 timeout. It appears he finally has a deep roster with little to no drop-off when he goes to the bench. Trey Parker replaced starting point guard Budd Clark and held his own. Despite forcing a few early shots, he soon settled in, facilitated the offense, and created clean looks for his teammates. Another standout from the second unit was Jacob Dar, who became the focal point of the group. He consistently flashed to the free-throw line against St Peter’s zone, and whether he was feeding the bigs, kicking out to shooters, or taking it to the rim himself, he made the offense flow.
Seton Hall will look to build on this strong non-conference win when they host Wagner on Friday in an on-campus matchup. The Pirates should aim to carry over the same defensive intensity, particularly their full-court pressure that disrupted St. Peter’s throughout the night. Offensively, establishing their bigs early and often will remain key, especially with the momentum generated by the Hines–Payne duo. If Seton Hall can replicate the depth, energy, and balance they showcased in the opener, they’ll put themselves in a strong position to continue stacking wins as they move deeper into the non-conference slate.
This article was written by William Murphy, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.
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