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seton hall pirates

Seton Hall Outlasts Monmouth

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Newark, N.J. – What began as a frustrating night for Seton Hall quickly turned into a test of resilience. The Pirates struggled mightily in the first half, failing to generate quality looks and struggling to move the ball with any rhythm. Their offense stagnated, their spacing faltered, and they went into the locker room facing a 7-point deficit. Meanwhile, Monmouth capitalized on the sluggish start, shooting the ball efficiently and controlling the pace through the opening 20 minutes.

But the second half told a completely different story. Seton Hall came out with renewed energy, tightening up defensively, pushing the tempo, and finally finding flow within their offense. The Pirates chipped away possession by possession, eventually overtaking the Hawks and completing an impressive comeback. Behind a combination of improved ball movement, defensive pressure, and tougher shot-making, Seton Hall outscored Monmouth by double digits in the final frame to secure a 70–58 victory and avoid what could have been a costly early-season stumble.

It was more of the same from the Pirates’ emerging breakout freshman, Najai Hines. With starting big man Stephon Payne sidelined early due to foul trouble, Hines was called upon to stabilize the interior and prevent Seton Hall from slipping into a deeper deficit — and he delivered. Though he struggled early with a few short-range finishes, he settled in during the second half and made his presence felt on both ends of the floor. Hines finished with a strong all-around stat line of 7 points, 8 rebounds, and an impressive 7 blocks.

His defensive impact completely changed the tone of the game. Hines protected the rim at an elite level, erasing shots, deterring drives, and giving the Pirates the ability to push the ball in transition. His ability to anchor the defense not only slowed Monmouth’s momentum but also created easy opportunities for Seton Hall’s guards on the other end.

Throughout the game, two players kept Monmouth within striking distance: freshman Stefanos Spartalis and senior sharpshooter Jack Collins. Spartalis refused to back down from the moment, battling physically in the post against both Payne and Hines. His aggressiveness was a major reason Payne found himself in early foul trouble. Spartalis finished with an impressive 16 points on 3-of-6 shooting while going 9-of-10 from the free-throw line, showcasing poise and toughness well beyond his years.

As for Collins, he was the focal point of Seton Hall’s defensive game plan — and for good reason. Despite shooting just 31.5% from three last season, he attempted 165 threes, demonstrating his confidence and willingness to let it fly from deep. That confidence carried into tonight, as Collins opened the game by knocking down three of his first five attempts from beyond the arc. He entered halftime with 11 points and had the Pirates scrambling, taking advantage of defensive lapses, missed switches, and second-chance opportunities that left him wide open far too often.

One of the guards who piggy backed off of Hines’ dominant performance was Elon transfer TJ Simpkins. As the first man off the bench, Simpkins delivered exactly what the Pirates needed, finishing with 14 points and 8 rebounds — including 4 huge offensive boards. He provided a much-needed spark offensively, knocking down two timely threes that helped ignite a few Seton Hall runs.

Simpkins also showcased his ball-handling and composure. With Trey Parker struggling to create space for himself in outlet opportunities in transition during his minutes, Simpkins stepped in as the primary guard and brought the ball up the floor with pace and control. He facilitated the offense effectively, kept the team organized, and limited mistakes in key moments. In my eyes, Simpkins is a true X-factor for this Pirates squad — a capable scorer who can swing momentum instantly while also bringing consistent effort and toughness on the defensive end.

Seton Hall’s comeback victory over Monmouth served as an early reminder of this team’s potential when effort, discipline, and resilience come together. What began as a sluggish, error-filled first half transformed into a confident, physically imposing second-half performance powered by emerging contributors like Hines and Simpkins. The Pirates showed they can win even when their best basketball isn’t there from the start — a trait that will matter as the season progresses. With momentum now building, Seton Hall will look to carry this improved energy and execution into their next matchup on Tuesday, when they return to the court to host New Haven.

This article was written by William Murphy, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Seton Hall Romps Over Fairfield

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Newark. N.J. – After an underwhelming performance against Wagner, Seton Hall came into their next matchup in need of a reset — and they delivered. Back on their home floor, Seton Hall responded with purpose, controlling the game from start to finish in an impressive 82–59 win over the Fairfield Stags. Behind a balanced scoring effort and improved execution on both ends of the floor, the Pirates looked far more like the team they expect to be as they worked their way back into rhythm.

The story of the night for the Pirates was their suffocating defense combined with a diverse scoring effort, as eight different players finished with at least eight points. Seton Hall moved the ball crisply within the flow of their offense, generating clean looks and dominating the interior with a 40–12 advantage in points in the paint. Defensively, they were just as impressive, forcing 17 turnovers while racking up 12 steals and 13 blocks to completely disrupt the Stags’ rhythm.

The standout performance of the night for the Pirates came from freshman big man Najai Hines, who delivered his first collegiate double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in just 24 minutes of action, adding two blocks to round out an impressive outing. Throughout the game, Coach Shaheen Holloway was in Hines’ ear during every dead ball, guiding him, challenging him, and giving him plenty of opportunities to grow on the floor. As Hines continues to adjust to the speed and physicality of the college game, these moments are invaluable for his development — especially with Big East play on the horizon.

Hines made his presence felt early and often on the offensive glass, attacking rebounds with purpose and securing six offensive boards, which he turned into six second-chance points. His energy, physicality, and willingness to do the dirty work provided a major spark for Seton Hall and offered a glimpse of just how impactful he can become as he gains more experience.

The Stags managed to stay competitive early, largely due to the play of Braden Sparks. The 6-foot point guard came out firing, scoring Fairfield’s first 10 points and showing no hesitation in attacking every defender the Pirates put in front of him. He finished with an impressive 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Sparks is clearly the engine of Fairfield’s offense, and their success this season will likely hinge on his ability to produce at a high level.

Defensively, he held his own as well, switching effectively and staying disciplined in the full-court press, particularly when matched up against the speedy Budd Clark. With a JUCO season already behind him and the extra year of eligibility that comes with it, Sparks is poised for a breakout year. If he continues on this trajectory, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him make a jump to a higher-level conference once the season concludes.

Entering the offseason, the Pirates’ staff made it a priority to address one of last year’s biggest weaknesses: perimeter shooting. To bolster that area, they turned to the transfer portal and added former Miami Hurricane AJ Staton-McCray, a once 41% three-point shooter. Tonight, he showed exactly why he was such an important pickup. Staton-McCray was active in every phase of the game, finishing with 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, four steals, and a block while shooting an efficient 5-of-8 from the field and 3-of-4 from deep.

He knocked down multiple tough, contested threes — all within the rhythm of the offense — and mixed in strong drives to the rim, converting through contact. Defensively, he was just as impactful. His activity and quick hands consistently disrupted Fairfield’s ballhandlers, creating turnovers and transition opportunities for Seton Hall. If Staton-McCray can deliver this level of production on a nightly basis, he dramatically elevates the Pirates’ ceiling moving forward.

With contributions coming from all corners of the roster and clear strides made on both ends of the floor, the Pirates put together the kind of complete performance they were searching for after a sluggish outing against Wagner. The blend of defensive intensity, balanced scoring, and emerging individual standouts like Hines and Staton-McCray gives Seton Hall plenty of momentum as they continue to build their identity early in the season. The Pirates will look to carry that energy into their next matchup on Thursday, when they return to the court to take on Monmouth.

This article was written by William Murphy, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Seton Hall Rolls Past St. Peter’s in Home Opener

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

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.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Seton Hall Upsets Marquette

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Heading Title

Newark, N.J. – The Seton Hall Pirates did it again, this time taking down the #7-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles 78-75, marking their third straight win as an underdog against AP ranked opponents.

Guard Al-Amir Dawes carried the Pirates in the first half despite stud guard Kadary Richmond watching from the sidelines with two early fouls. Dawes caught fire from deep going 4-of-5 on 3s. He’d score 15 first half points and 23 total to lead all scorers. They weathered their turnover woes (22 total) by absolutely dominating on the glass, 43-25, and being highly efficient from the field with splits of 52/40/87 as an entire team. The second half belonged to Richmond, making his presence felt with 14 of his 21 points scoring off relentless paint attacks.

 

Although the scoring responsibility was mostly a 2-man crew, it took an entire team to take down this highly touted Marquette crew. Coach Shaheen Holloway had his team ready on the defensive side. They were locked in on their pick-and-roll coverages, being synchronized on all their rotations. Seton Hall had great length advantages with their perimeter players. Most importantly, they finished a lot of possessions, getting 29 defensive rebounds. That’s more than Marquette had on both sides of the floor.

 

 

Marquette coach Shaka Smart’s emphasis for deflections proved successful early, forcing 12 turnovers for 17 points in the first half. Top prospect center Oso Ighodaro played a part in forcing turnovers with incredible length to disrupt passes, in addition to running the floor for easy slams. The offense was flowing and feeding off the energy their defense created for an early 23-13 lead, then they began to stifle.

 

Marquette had their own turnover woes in the first half. All-American point guard Tyler Kolek carelessly turned it over three times, with backup point guard Sean Jones having three of his own. Marquette didn’t look comfortable on offense unless they played out in transition or got early offense scoring opportunities with Seton Hall’s defense not set. Kolek couldn’t get into much of a rhythm throughout the game going 1-of-6 for a mere five points with three turnovers. Their second leading scorer Kam Jones went ice cold almost the entire second half, shooting 5-of-15 total and at one point missing seven straight. Ighodaro was the only player who found consistent success with 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting.

 

Seton Hall (10-5, 3-1) have now racked up impressive wins against #4 UConn, #7 Marquette, and at #23 Providence in just the last few weeks. Notable aces for both UConn and Providence got injured while playing Seton Hall in Donovan Clingan and Bryce Hopkins, but injury luck played no factor in the Pirates taking this one. They’ve now held ranked opponents in their wins to 43% or less shooting from the field. Coach Holloway is solidifying this squad as a team worthy of consideration to be in the national tournament. They attempt to maintain their position in the Big East table and continue building their reputation on the road against Georgetown Tuesday.

 

Marquette (11-4, 2-2) came into this game off a quality win against a ranked Creighton squad, but now fall to sixth in the Big East having lost to Providence earlier last month. Marquette has national championship ambitions but are having early struggles taking care of business within their own conference. They look to get back into championship mode in a home matchup against Butler Wednesday.

 

This article was written by Justin Maldonado, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.

 

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume

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