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Top Five Performances from the Big East Tournament

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – Over the past week at the World’s Most Famous Arena, the Big East Tournament once again delivered high-level basketball and memorable individual performances. With the stakes at their highest and a championship on the line, several players stepped up in a major way, putting together standout showings that helped propel their teams through the bracket. From dominant performances in the paint to clutch scoring and defensive playmaking, a number of players left a strong impression throughout the tournament.

Here are my top 5 performers from this year’s Big East Tournament:

Zuby Ejiofor (St. John’s): The Big East Player of the Year showed exactly why he earned that honor, delivering a dominant performance throughout the week. The big man averaged 19.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 5.3 stocks per game, impacting the game in nearly every facet. He was an overwhelming presence on both ends of the floor and consistently proved to be too much for opposing teams to handle. After leading St. John’s to a Big East Tournament title, he will now look to carry that momentum into the NCAA Tournament and help push the Johnnies to the second weekend following last year’s heartbreaking loss to Arkansas.

Stefan Vaaks (Providence): The freshman guard from Estonia elevated his play when the lights were brightest for the Friars. Vaaks averaged 25.5 points while knocking down a remarkable 13 three-pointers at a 59% clip from beyond the arc. Despite Providence’s quarterfinal exit against St. John’s, he proved to be a constant threat, especially in catch-and-shoot situations, showing the confidence to rise up from well beyond the line. His signature moment of the tournament came on an incredible 33-foot and-one that brought Madison Square Garden to life. With Providence parting ways with head coach Kim English following the tournament, Vaaks’ future with the program is now uncertain. Should he enter the transfer portal, he would likely be one of the most sought-after scorers available.

Tarris Reed (UConn): The anchor of the Big East’s 2-seeded team made his presence felt all week, impacting the game far beyond just scoring. Reed averaged 13.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.0 blocks over 3 games, showcasing his all-around ability for the Huskies. Even under heavy pressure in the post, he consistently found ways to score and remain effective. In the one game where his scoring output dipped, he still made a major impact in other areas. Against Georgetown, Reed recorded 8 assists, recognizing the defensive attention he was drawing in the post and doing an excellent job finding open teammates when double teams collapsed. His ability to read the floor and make the right play adds another dimension to his game, and he will be a key factor in UConn’s postseason run this March.

Jacob Dar (Seton Hall): Heading into halftime of the quarterfinal matchup against Creighton, senior forward Jacob Dar had yet to see the floor. That quickly changed in the second half, when Seton Hall found itself in a scoring drought and in need of a spark. Dar checked in and delivered exactly that, erupting for 16 points in just 15 minutes while also making his presence felt on the defensive end, helping lead the Pirates to an 11-point victory. Over the course of the week, Dar totaled 29 points in 35 minutes, averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2 stocks. His breakout performance may have solidified a role for him moving forward, as there’s a strong case that he played his way into Shaheen Holloway’s plans for next season with one year of eligibility still remaining.

Bryce Hopkins (St. John’s): Hopkins played a key X-factor role for the Johnnies on their way to a Big East Tournament championship. He provided the perfect complementary presence alongside Ejiofor in the paint, consistently taking advantage of matchups with his polished footwork and ability to finish through contact. In addition to his interior scoring, Hopkins also showed the ability to stretch the floor, knocking down perimeter shots and keeping defenses honest. He finished the tournament averaging 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting an extremely efficient 69.5% from the field. His versatility and efficiency made him a difficult cover throughout the week, and his all-around impact was a major reason why St. John’s was able to dominate its way to the title.

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.

St. John’s Wins Second Straight Big East Tournament Title

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – On the final day of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden, the conferences’s two top teams squared off in what many expected to be an instant classic. Instead, it was the St. John’s Red Storm who controlled the game from start to finish, dominating UConn for the full 40 minutes to secure back-to-back Big East Tournament championships. The Johnnies never surrendered the lead, and the Huskies never truly looked like they had a chance to mount a comeback, as the game ended in a decisive 72–52 victory for St. John’s.

Similar to St. John’s previous two games in the tournament, attacking the paint was once again a major point of emphasis. A key part of that approach was consistently feeding the ball to the low block, where Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player Zuby Ejiofor made a significant impact. The senior big man finished with 18 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting from the field, while also knocking down two three-pointers.

Ejiofor wasn’t the only one finding success inside. Bryce Hopkins also showcased impressive back-to-the-basket ability, using polished footwork to create space and convert several heavily contested shots around the rim. Hopkins matched Ejiofor’s scoring output, finishing with 18 points of his own on an efficient 7-of-9 from the field.

To add to the Red Storm’s strong offensive performance, they were just as dominant on the defensive end. St. John’s held the Huskies to a stifling 34% from the field and forced 17 turnovers, disrupting nearly everything UConn tried to run, from what looked like clean entry passes to blowing up dribble handoffs. Leading the defensive effort was none other than Zuby Ejiofor. He finished with 3 steals and an impressive 7 blocks, protecting the rim and giving the Huskies nothing easy in the paint. Dylan Darling also made a major impact defensively, matching Ejiofor’s steal total with 3 of his own. Darling did an excellent job reading ball handlers, timing their dribble cadence perfectly and picking their pockets at key moments.

The lone bright spot for the Huskies in this game was senior big man Tarris Reed. Reed finished with 17 points on 8-of-17 shooting from the field while adding 7 rebounds. Similar to St. John’s approach with Ejiofor, UConn made a concerted effort to get the ball down low and take advantage of the Reed–Ejiofor matchup. Reed did a solid job using his size and strength to back Ejiofor down and convert several easy hook shots around the rim.

Despite Reed’s strong performance, it was difficult for the Huskies to keep pace while shooting just 16% from three-point range. UConn’s typical perimeter threats—Solo Ball, Braylon Mullins, and Alex Karaban—struggled throughout the game, combining to shoot just 2-of-14 from beyond the arc.

With the Big East Tournament now complete, the attention quickly shifts to Selection Sunday, where the conference’s postseason picture will officially come into focus. St. John’s, UConn, and Villanova are all expected to hear their names called, and the biggest question now becomes where each team will land in the NCAA Tournament bracket. After St. John’s dominant run through Madison Square Garden, the Red Storm will look to carry that momentum into The Big Dance, while UConn and Villanova await their seeding as they prepare for the next stage of the postseason.

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.

UConn and St. John’s Advance to Big East Tournament Final

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – Friday’s semifinals of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden featured two teams that firmly controlled their matchups from start to finish. Although the final score may suggest a closer game, St. John’s largely dominated from the opening tip, rarely taking its foot off the gas on the way to a 78–68 victory over the Seton Hall Pirates.The second semifinal followed a similar script, as UConn never surrendered the lead against Georgetown, cruising to a 67–51 win to punch its ticket to the championship game.

St. John’s entered their game with a clear plan: attack the paint. Early and often in the first half, the Johnnies fed Zuby Ejiofor and Dillon Mitchell on the block, where both were able to finish with ease. When the initial shot didn’t fall, they frequently drew contact and earned trips to the free-throw line. Ejiofor (20 points), Mitchell (13 points), and Bryce Hopkins (13 points) combined for 46 of St. John’s 78 points, consistently applying pressure on Seton Hall’s interior defense.

For Seton Hall, much like in the quarterfinal round, the Pirates were led by Budd Clark and Jacob Dar. Clark finished with 17 points and showcased strong playmaking ability, adding 11 assists. Dar continued his impressive run in the Big East Tournament as well, finishing with 13 points and 4 rebounds while making multiple hustle plays that helped keep the Pirates competitive.

UConn was led by projected lottery pick and freshman Braylon Mullins. Mullins finished with 21 points on 8-of-17 shooting from the field and 2-pf-9 from beyond the arc. Despite the modest numbers from long distance, he showed that his game is far from dependent on his perimeter shooting. Mullins flashed some surprising back-to-the-basket ability and was particularly impressive with several difficult, off-balance midrange shots that he knocked down with ease.

For Georgetown, Vince Iwuchukwu led the way with 11 points and 5 rebounds. Iwuchukwu displayed impressive athleticism throughout the game, elevating through contact and converting several tough finishes over UConn big men Eric Reibe and Tarris Reed.

With the semifinal round complete, the stage is now set for the Big East Tournament championship at Madison Square Garden. St. John’s and UConn will meet tonight with the conference title on the line, setting up a highly anticipated matchup between two teams that looked dominant in their semifinal victories. With momentum on both sides, the championship game promises to bring the intensity and high-level play that has defined the tournament all week.

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.

Big East Tournament Day 2 Recap

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – Thursday at Madison Square Garden once again delivered an exciting day of Big East Tournament basketball. The action began with St. John’s continuing its hot streak, defeating the Providence Friars in convincing fashion. In the next matchup, the Seton Hall Pirates knocked off the Creighton Blue Jays behind an outstanding performance from an unlikely contributor.

The second session brought more drama, starting with the UConn Huskies, who had little trouble handling Richard Pitino’s Xavier squad. The night then concluded with the biggest surprise of the tournament so far, as the 11-seeded Georgetown Hoyas pulled off the upset over the 3-seeded Villanova Wildcats.

Zuby Ejiofor was a man among boys as he helped St. John’s to the 85-72 win over the Friars, establishing his presence in the paint early and maintaining that dominance throughout the game. He filled up the stat sheet with 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks, impacting the game on both ends of the floor.

Despite the loss, Providence saw another impressive performance from freshman guard Stefan Vaaks. The sharpshooter finished with a game-high 23 points, shooting 7-of-12 from the field and 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. With the Friars officially announcing they have parted ways with head coach Kim English, it will be worth monitoring where this high-volume scorer ends up next season.

Heading into the 2:30 matchup, the Seton Hall Pirates understood they were fighting to keep even the slightest hopes of an NCAA Tournament bid alive, and they responded with an impressive performance led by Budd Clark and an unlikely hero in Jacob Dar which led to the 72-61 win. Clark finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, getting to his bread-and-butter midrange game and knocking down several tough shots while efficiently orchestrating the offense over 35 minutes.

Despite Clark’s strong outing, the player of the game was senior Jacob Dar. After not playing a single minute in the first half, Dar entered in the second half and immediately made an impact. He finished with 16 points on an efficient 5-of-6 from the field and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, while also contributing 5 rebounds and a steal in only 15 minutes.

For Creighton, Josh Dix led the way with a game-high 22 points, along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Dix consistently knocked down difficult shots and showed the versatility in his offensive game, proving he is more than just a perimeter shooter. He created opportunities off the dribble, scoring in the midrange and finishing at the rim through contact.

UConn continued its dominance against Xavier by the final score of 93-68, as the Musketeers never held a lead at any point during the game. Tarris Reed and the UConn staff took full advantage of Xavier’s lack of size in the frontcourt, with the senior big man finishing with 17 points and 14 rebounds while controlling the paint. Solo Ball added 19 points, knocking down 4-of-10 from beyond the arc, while senior Alex Karaban contributed another 15 points to help pace the Huskies offensively.

For Xavier, Filip Borovicanin led the way with 22 points. The Musketeers relied heavily on their perimeter shooting and were never able to establish an inside presence throughout the game, which ultimately proved costly. UConn dominated the paint, outscoring Xavier 42–16 in that category.

The nightcap featured the Villanova Wildcats and the Georgetown Hoyas, with Georgetown pulling off the upset over the 3-seeded Wildcats by a score of 78–64. Entering the season, there were questions about Villanova’s consistency, particularly the idea that the team would go as far as its perimeter shooting could take it. That concern showed up in this matchup, as the Wildcats struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 24%. Villanova also had major issues on the glass, getting outrebounded by 21, which allowed Georgetown to control the flow of the game.

The Hoyas were led by sophomore big man Julius Halaifonua, who finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Halaifonua displayed impressive back-to-the-basket skills and footwork, consistently creating quality looks and ultimately having his way against Villanova big man Duke Brennan.

With the quarterfinals now complete, the stage is set for an exciting semifinal round at Madison Square Garden. St. John’s will face Seton Hall in a highly anticipated matchup after both teams delivered impressive performances on Thursday, while UConn will take on Georgetown following the Hoyas’ upset victory over Villanova. With a spot in the Big East Tournament championship on the line, both games promise to bring the same intensity, physicality, and high-level play that has defined the tournament so far.

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.

Underdogs Win at Big East Tournament’s First Day

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – Three games tipped off the Big East Tournament on Wednesday, and they did not disappoint. The day featured plenty of drama, highlighted by the Providence Friars rallying from a 16-point deficit to secure a 10-point victory. The Xavier Musketeers also advanced in thrilling fashion, pulling out a win in a game that came down to the final seconds. Meanwhile, the Georgetown Hoyas emerged victorious in a physical battle against the DePaul Blue Demons, marking the program’s first Big East Tournament win under head coach Ed Cooley.

In the first matchup of the day, the Friars came away with a 91–81 victory over the Butler Bulldogs in a high-scoring contest. Providence leaned on a three-headed offensive attack, as Jaylin Sellers (23 points), Ryan Mela (23 points), and Stefan Vaaks (28 points) combined for 74 of the team’s 91 points. Vaaks was particularly impressive from beyond the arc, knocking down 8-of-13 three-point attempts, tying the Big East Tournament record for most threes made in a game.

For Butler, senior forward Michael Ajayi once again delivered a strong performance, recording another double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulldogs frequently used off-ball screens to free Ajayi, recognizing that Providence was switching nearly every action. Once Butler successfully forced a switch and got a guard matched up with him, they consistently fed Ajayi in the post, where he went to work. However, his aggressive style ultimately played a role in Butler’s downfall. Ajayi found himself in foul trouble for much of the second half, and his limited availability significantly altered the Bulldogs’ rhythm and overall approach down the stretch.

In Richard Pitino’s first Big East Tournament game leading Xavier, he guided the Musketeers to a thrilling 89–87 victory that was decided in the final seconds. All-Big East 1st Team selection Tre Carroll showed exactly why he earned that honor, finishing with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists while impacting the game in multiple ways. Xavier also received a huge performance from big man Jovan Milicevic, who poured in 21 points. Milicevic was especially impressive from beyond the arc, knocking down 4-of-7 three-point attempts, including several difficult, contested looks off the dribble.

For the Golden Eagles, Nigel James Jr.—who announced before the game that he will return to Milwaukee for his sophomore season—tallied 18 points and 7 assists. Sophomore Royce Parham also delivered a strong performance, adding 22 points and 9 rebounds. With James Jr. and Parham in the fold, Shaka Smart has a strong foundation to build around heading into next season. However, it will be interesting to see how active the program becomes in the transfer portal, as Smart has historically been reluctant to use it at all.

The final game of the night was the definition of a Big East Tournament battle. The Georgetown Hoyas defeated the DePaul Blue Demons 63–56 in a highly physical matchup. Leading the way for Georgetown was big man Vince Iwuchukwu, who provided a huge spark off the bench. The senior finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds in an efficient 23 minutes of action. Points in the paint proved to be the difference, as the Hoyas dominated that category 36–20. Georgetown’s physicality inside was simply too much for DePaul’s frontcourt to handle throughout the game.

For the Blue Demons, Layden Blocker turned in a strong performance with 16 points and 7 assists. He did an excellent job creating his own offense off the dribble and knocked down several tough shots. Blocker also shot an impressive 4/6 from beyond the arc. Despite the loss, Chris Holtmann appears to be building a solid foundation in Chicago, and the DePaul program is trending in the right direction.

With the opening round complete, attention now turns to Thursday’s quarterfinal match-ups at Madison Square Garden. Providence will tip things off at 12:00 PM against St. John’s in what should be an up-tempo battle, while Xavier faces a major test against UConn at 7:00 PM. The nightcap will feature Georgetown taking on Villanova at 9:30 PM, as the Hoyas look to carry their physical momentum into another tough matchup. With three teams advancing out of Wednesday’s action and the stakes continuing to rise, the Big East Tournament is setting up for another exciting day of basketball.

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.

St. John’s Destroys Villanova

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – After suffering their first loss since January 3rd, St. John’s came into Madison Square Garden looking for a bounce back win vs. Kevin Willard’s Villanova Wildcats. Villanova has been one of the bigger surprises in college basketball this season being in the upper tier of the Big East so we thought we were in for a close game. However, St. John’s dominated on both ends of the floor in the first half with everyone that touched the floor providing a positive impact. Leading the way was the play of Ian Jackson and Zuby Ejiofor, Jackson in particular was extremely active in his minutes. The biggest story of the half was St. John’s defense as they forced 8 turnovers and were able to capitalize scoring 18 points off of those Wildcats mistakes. This was the key to St. John’s taking a 48-23 lead heading into the break 

Unfortunately for Villanova they would continue to get outclassed in the second half by the Johnnies. St. John’s would go on to force 8 more turnovers in the half and cause havoc in transition. The duo of Jackson and Ejiofor picked up from where they left off in the first half as Jackson would finish with 19 points while also grabbing 5 steals and Zuby would have his first career triple double as well. Villanova didn’t really get any standout performances as it was a rough night for leading scorer Tyler Perkins who finished with 3 points on 1-of-5 shooting. It was a night of domination for St. John’s last night as they took all their frustration from their loss to UConn and took it out on the Wildcats winning by a final score of 89-57. This win over Villanova was their largest win of all time vs. the Wildcats as they continue on the quest to win the Big East regular season championship for the second season in a row. 

St. John’s is hard to beat when they get positive contributions from Jackson and it was proven once again last night against a tough Villanova team. Jackson showed his potential as a microwave scorer with his ability to play on and off the ball. When the shot falls it opens up the best part of his game which is his ability to get to the rim. Although what impressed me the most about his performance last night was his defensive impact. The motor guarding on the ball and his activity in the passing lanes was incredible as he completely changed the momentum of this game. 

Once again the favorite for this season’s Big East player of the year, Zuby Ejiofor, continued to prove why he’s one of the best players in college basketball. The impact he provides on both sides of the floor is second to none on this St. John’s team and it was fully on display last night recording a triple double with 4 stocks on the side. His performance was truly a characterization of the fact that he can do a little bit of everything on the basketball court.  Ejiofor is one of the most valuable players in the country this season and has a legitimate chance to be drafted in the 1st round of the upcoming NBA Draft this June.

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

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Seton Hall Tops Georgetown in Defensive Struggle

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Newark, NJ — After a gut-wrenching loss to DePaul earlier in the week, Seton Hall responded in a big way Saturday against Georgetown, grinding out a much-needed 51–47 victory. In a physical, defense-first battle where both teams shot under 32% from the field, clean looks were hard to come by and every possession carried weight. The Pirates leaned into the toughness of the game, tightening up defensively and doing just enough offensively down the stretch to secure a gritty win that keeps them moving forward.

The difference-maker in this game was freshman big man Najai Hines, who recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds to secure his third collegiate double-double. Hines was a force in the paint, consistently playing above the rim and finishing through contact, converting multiple and-one opportunities. Beyond his scoring, he made a major impact on the glass, pulling down five offensive rebounds that generated crucial second-chance points in a game where every basket mattered.

Hines was just as influential defensively, finishing with five blocks and two steals. He did an excellent job reading Hoya attackers, timing their shot attempts, and swatting them with authority. His most important contribution, however, won’t appear in the box score. On Georgetown’s final possession, Vince Iwuchukwu caught the inbound and tried to drive past Hines, but Hines stayed disciplined and kept him in front. That containment allowed Elijah Fisher to dig down, disrupt the play, and create a loose ball that ultimately sealed the Pirates’ victory.

The biggest factor in tonight’s win was Seton Hall’s team defense. The Pirates limited clean looks all night, and even when Georgetown found open shots, they struggled to capitalize. Seton Hall had active hands and high energy from start to finish, contesting nearly every attempt and making life uncomfortable for opposing shooters.

They finished with nine total blocks, including a few impressive swats out near the three-point line, showcasing their versatility and effort on closeouts. Their activity extended into the passing lanes as well, consistently disrupting offensive flow. Budd Clark led the way with three steals, while AJ Staton-McCray and Hines each chipped in two, highlighting a collective defensive effort that ultimately set the tone for the game.

With the win, Seton Hall regains some momentum as it prepares for a major test next Saturday on the road against the UConn Huskies. A trip to Storrs presents a significant challenge, but if the Pirates can replicate the defensive intensity and physicality they displayed against Georgetown, they will give themselves a chance to compete. Meanwhile, the Georgetown Hoyas return home looking to bounce back when they host the Marquette Golden Eagles on Tuesday. As conference play tightens, every game grows in importance, and both programs will be eager to build on—or respond to—the lessons learned in this defensive battle.

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.

DePaul Hurts Seton Hall’s Tournament Hopes

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Newark, NJ — With Seton Hall’s season hanging in the balance, the Pirates understood the importance of protecting their home floor to keep their tournament hopes alive. However, Tuesday night’s loss to DePaul in Newark delivered a significant blow to their at-large aspirations. The Blue Demons controlled the game from start to finish, outplaying the Pirates in nearly every facet. DePaul combined tenacious defense with a well-structured offensive approach, matching Seton Hall’s physicality and refusing to be pushed around. Down the stretch, the Blue Demons forced multiple key turnovers, sealing momentum and ultimately securing a 69–57 victory.

Two major factors in DePaul’s win were NJ Benson and CJ Gunn, who combined for 39 points and consistently applied pressure on the Pirates. Benson led the way with 21 points and eight rebounds, imposing his will in the paint. He played through contact, backing down Seton Hall’s big men and either drawing fouls by getting them off their feet or converting tough, contested finishes around the rim. Benson also attacked the offensive glass with purpose, generating multiple second-chance opportunities that kept DePaul in control.

Gunn added 18 points and seven rebounds, showcasing impressive shot creation and confident shot-making. The smooth shooter was relentless off the ball, sprinting off screens and using constant movement to create separation. His activity eventually led to clean looks, and he capitalized, delivering timely buckets that helped maintain the Blue Demons’ momentum throughout the game.

Once again, Budd Clark paced the Pirates, finishing with 19 points and five assists. He consistently found his way to his patented midrange jumper, knocking down difficult shots off ball screens—especially when DePaul’s bigs switched onto him. In the first half, Clark was particularly effective as a playmaker, controlling the tempo and creating opportunities for his teammates. However, that same level of facilitation didn’t carry over into the second half, which proved costly as the Pirates searched for rhythm offensively.

Turnovers also became a key issue. Clark finished with five giveaways, including several ball-security lapses in the final four minutes that stripped Seton Hall of valuable possessions. Those mistakes halted momentum and made an already challenging comeback attempt feel even more out of reach.

Another element that cannot go unnoticed was the impressive X’s and O’s execution from the DePaul coaching staff. Time and time again, the Blue Demons came out of timeouts with well-designed ATO sets that had the Pirates scrambling defensively, often resulting in clean, uncontested scoring opportunities. Chris Holtmann and his staff have taken on the difficult challenge of revitalizing a historically struggling program, and the early signs are promising. With Holtmann at the helm, DePaul appears far more structured and disciplined, and they project to be a difficult opponent as long as he is leading the program.

Looking ahead, the urgency only increases for the Seton Hall Pirates, who return home Saturday for a pivotal matchup against Georgetown. With their tournament hopes still within reach, protecting home court is no longer optional — it’s essential. A strong response will be needed to regain momentum and restore confidence after Wednesday’s setback. Meanwhile, DePaul will aim to build on their statement win when they host the Providence Friars. If the Blue Demons replicate the same defensive intensity and disciplined execution they displayed in Newark, they’ll have a strong opportunity to continue their upward trajectory and further solidify themselves as a team capable of making noise down the stretch.

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.

Clark Leads Seton Hall Past Providence

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Newark, NJ – After suffering a heartbreaking last-second loss in Omaha to Creighton, Seton Hall returned home in need of a response—and delivered with an 87–80 come-from-behind victory over Providence. The Pirates showed resilience after falling behind early, gradually settling into the game and imposing their identity on both ends of the floor. Stifling defense, improved ball security, and timely execution swung the momentum in their favor as the game wore on. Leading the charge was point guard Budd Clark, whose steady presence and playmaking helped anchor a performance that reflected both urgency and composure from a team looking to get back on track.

Budd Clark once again delivered an elite performance, propelling the Pirates to a much-needed victory. He finished with 31 points on an efficient 11-of-16 shooting from the field, including 1-of-2 from three-point range, while adding eight assists, five steals, and just one turnover. Clark controlled the tempo throughout the game, navigating the offense with poise and refusing to force contested looks. Instead, he consistently took what the defense gave him and capitalized time and time again. Over his last five games, Clark is averaging 22.4 points and has played with the urgency and edge this Pirates team has been yearning for, elevating both his individual production and the team’s overall execution.

Senior guard Jaylin Sellers was the driving force behind Providence’s ability to stay within striking distance throughout the game. The left-hander delivered an outstanding performance, pouring in 23 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting from the field, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Sellers consistently made tough, momentum-shifting shots, whether off the catch or off the dribble. He showcased impressive quickness attacking downhill and used his strength to absorb contact and finish through traffic at the rim. No matter which defender the Pirates assigned to him, Sellers found ways to create space and generate quality looks. He also capitalized on Seton Hall’s late contests from three-point range, punishing defensive breakdowns and keeping the Friars competitive deep into the second half.

Once again, defense defined the Pirates’ performance. Seton Hall forced 18 turnovers while committing just five of its own, a disparity that proved decisive. The Pirates showed active hands throughout the night, consistently disrupting passing lanes and making Providence hesitant in its drive-and-kick actions. With defenders swarming and rotating aggressively, the Friars often looked unsettled, aware that help was lurking nearby.

Seton Hall applied full-court pressure on nearly every possession, refusing to let up. That relentless approach created chaos, even on inbounds plays, where the Pirates forced multiple five-second violations. The sustained ball pressure set the tone and fueled transition opportunities on the other end.

The primary concern, however, remains perimeter defense. The Pirates surrendered 14 three-pointers, with Providence shooting 41% from beyond the arc—numbers that can make it extremely difficult to overcome deficits against high-level competition. Too often, Seton Hall defenders stayed low on contests or arrived late, challenging shots only after the ball was already at its release point.

The win provided Seton Hall with the type of response it needed, reinforcing the team’s defensive identity while showcasing the star-level impact of Budd Clark. If the Pirates can continue to value possessions and clean up their perimeter closeouts, they will position themselves well heading into a critical stretch of conference play. Their next test comes Sunday on the road at Butler, where sustaining their defensive pressure will be key. Providence, meanwhile, will look to regroup and shore up its ball security as it returns home Saturday for a matchup against St. John’s.

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.

St. John’s Tops Xavier in Overtime

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – Coming off a monster win vs UConn, the #17 St. John’s Red Storm came into Monday night looking for their 10th win a row in a matchup vs. the Xavier Musketeers. Xavier would not make it easy for the Johnnies as this one was tight in the first half. The Musketeers shot the ball extremely well despite getting a low scoring half from leading scorer Tre Carroll who only had four points. For the Red Storm they got a solid half from Zuby Ejiofor and a great half from Dylan Darling who had 10 points and continues to give great minutes during this winning streak. It would be a back-and-forth half between these two conference foes that would end up resulting in a tie game at 42 heading into the locker room. 

The Musketeers would not go away in the second half as they continued to make life difficult for St. John’s on their home floor. Tre Carroll came alive as he scored 17 of his 21  points in this half. Xavier would go on to have five players in double figures in a well balanced offensive performance. The Red Storm had answers for Xavier throughout the half though as the trio of Ejiofor, Hopkins, and Darling continued to give them much needed performances. Xavier had St. John’s on the ropes with seconds left on the clock but a big time tip in by Oziyah Sellers would send this game into overtime.  St. John’s would then take advantage of the excessive fouling that occurred all night from Xavier and walk off the floor victorious with a final score of 87-82. The Red Storm improved to 19-5 on the season and 12-1 in conference play while also grabbing their 10th consecutive win, continuing to be one of college basketball’s hottest teams.

St. John’s got the usual dominance from Zuby Ejiofor and a great game from Bryce Hopkins but I think it’s time for Dylan Darling to receive his flowers. Darling has been pivotal for the Red Storm throughout this winning streak as he’s made big shots and made huge plays on both sides of the floor. Darling is a player that any team would like to have because of his high motor and the ball pressure he brings once he checks in the game. On the offensive end he’s a stable option out of Rick Pitino’s guard rotation, he can maintain the offense and also has the ability to make some key shots if he’s needed to as well. Personally, Darling has become my favorite guy on this St. John’s roster due to how hard he competes and how he can flip a game despite being one of shorter guys on the floor. 

As for Xavier, they had impressive showings up and down the roster but Carroll was huge in the second half to keep them in it. Carroll is a big but he has some finesse in his game that’s pleasant to watch. He’s able to break a defender down at times and get to his spots for these soft floaters near the basket. Although it can get a bit ugly sometimes especially when there’s more athletic defenders on him, he is capable of taking and making tough shots. Carroll is a versatile player for this Xavier team and is definitely a fun watch when he’s got it going like he did in that second half on Monday night against some tough St. John’s defenders in their frontcourt.

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

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