Post Game Thoughts: Seton Hall 92, Providence 80, BET Will Decide Postseason Fate
by GonzoBallSHU on Mar 6, 2010 9:40 PM EST
5 comments
-Beat Providence. The Pirates (18-11, 9-9) did just that tonight, improving their conference record to 9-9, finishing at .500 for the first time since they finished 9-7 in 2005-2006. That year, they made the NCAA Tournament. Will this year's squad do the same? The BET stands in the way, but the future is looking a lot brighter right now than it was last Sunday. They'll need to defeat Providence again on Tuesday night in the first round of the BET tournament to remain on the bubble. Should the Pirates win Tuesday, they would face Notre Dame on Wednesday night in what may very well determine their postseason fate. Although their fate may be decided Wednesday (should they get there), their postseason legitimately began against Rutgers on Thursday. The Pirates have stepped up, spoiling back-to-back senior days, which is far from an easy task in the Big East Conference regardless of who you're playing.
The one thing I'm worried about right now is overconfidence. I'd like to believe Bobby will have his squad ready on Tuesday, making sure his players quickly forget about tonight's outcome. Tonight's game means absolutely nothing if they falter on Tuesday. Providence, on the other hand, will only be playing for pride in the BET, whereas the Pirates are playing for a postseason berth. You'd like to believe that overconfidence wouldn't be an issue given the circumstances, but after beating PC in their house, on senior day, by 12 points, I'm going to worry.
-A great all around team effort by the Pirates tonight, who at one point, were on the verge of putting PC away early in the first half. Leading by 14 with just 3 minutes remaining in the first half, the Friars reeled off an 8-0 run as the closing seconds ticked off of the clock. Just as it seemed that Providence would take all the momentum into the locker room at halftime, the Pirates had one last possession.
Eugene Harvey dribbled the ball to around mid-court and let close to 20 seconds milk off of the clock before penetrating into the heart of the defense. Two defenders collapsed on him, believing he would put up a contested layup. Instead, Harvey wrapped the ball behind a defender's back and found JT who finished for a reverse layup. The well executed play gave the Pirates an 8 point lead heading into intermission, but more importantly the play deflated a PC team who had just put together a nice run in the closing minutes.
-Gonzo Ball to Jordan Theodore, who continues to break out and has really stepped up his play as of late. JT finished with 21PTS on 6-of-9 shooting, he set a career high with 8AST, shot 8-of-8 from the stripe while adding 2REB/2STL and only committed one turnover. Very impressive play from the sophomore as he even outscored the Pirates leading scorer Jeremy Hazell, by one point.
-Jeremy Hazell finished with 18PTS/5REB on 7-of-14 shooting. Jeremy shot the ball a little better tonight, despite just shooting 2-of-6 from 3PT distance. It was the second consecutive game where Hazell had at least 5REB, as he's made a concentrated to get involved more on the glass.
-Eugene Harvey was rather impressive tonight with 12PTS/4AST on 4-of-5 shooting, despite turning the ball over three times. Harvey finished strong on his drives throughout the night, once even after receiving contact and picking up the AND-1 foul.
-Herb Pope dropped his second straight double-double with 13PTS/11REB/5BLK. Pope was everywhere tonight on both sides of the basketball. It looks like his new double-double streak has begun after going 2 months without one. Tired legs? No.
-Robert Mitchell was also perfect from the stripe, 8-of-8 and finished with 14PTS.
-Jeff Robinson was the final Pirate to finish in double figures with 10PTS after sitting the majority of the first half after picking up a quick two fouls.
-Vincent Council led the Friars with 25PTS on 9-of-16 shooting.
-As a team, Providence only shot 38.5%, whereas the Pirates were good on 51% of their shot attempts.
See you Tuesday, Providence.
...Much more to come in tomorrow's morning after post.
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Where was this team all year?
If we played with this chip on our shoulder all year, we would have burst that bubble a long time ago. I’m sure Bobby reminded them at halftime about that USF loss. This was a nice win to get ready for Tuesday. Beat Providence, ND and Pitt and we are a lock.
I think we're a lock if we beat PC and ND, but why leave it up to the committe?
This team can definitely reel off three in a row here. They’re feeling it, like you said, they’ve been playing with a chip and it looks like they’ve discovered a new offensive game plan. Less reliant on Hazell, we’re actually running sets other than Hazell around a screen. The Pirates have gotten hot at the RIGHT time. Let’s do it.
Gonzo Ball
[gahn-zo-bawl]
-noun 1. a game played by 13 members of a basketball team, five at a time, sometimes crisp, often sloppy, but always furiously.
It Wasnt A Chip Seton Hall Needed!!!
They needed to gain experience of playing together. Learning through the wins but more so from the loseis how they became a team. This team learned how to close games out now and with that they are going to be tough from here on in as long as Gonzo continues his job of putting real good players around this now experience core.
Whether they now make the NCAAs or not. I am so proud to see that Seton Hall Basketball is now on solid footing for greatness. This is now a team that will make that next move up.
Even if they dont make the NCAAs, they will make the NIT which will give me the chance to be with them at the Prudential Center for the NIT First Round.
Gonzoball, you made the mistake of posting the Pirates Final Conference Record at 8-8, They are actually 9-9
I like your focus, focus.
There has been a marked improvement over the course of the last two weeks. They are gelling at the right time, I’m excited to see what’s in store at the BET. The future does look bright, but instead of looking to it now, I believe we have a good deal of basketball left to play this season.
Thanks for the correction on my typo, btw.
Gonzo Ball
[gahn-zo-bawl]
-noun 1. a game played by 13 members of a basketball team, five at a time, sometimes crisp, often sloppy, but always furiously.
by GonzoBallSHU on Mar 7, 2010 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
One game at a time, boys
I’m gonna repeat my mantra from about a month ago: one game at a time. If a team looks ahead, especially this team, its a recipe for disaster.
Look, I know its easy to get excited over the way this team has played the last two games. In all honesty, I’m as excited as anyone on here over this team’s recent play. But we aren’t in the dance just yet.
I also know its easy to look at past Big East Tournament runs by bubble teams. Last night I was looking back to West Virginia’s run in 2004 to get a 7 seed, along with Syracuse’s unbelievable run in 2006 with McNamara’s repeated late game heroics. But I also look back to last year with Cincy losing to DePaul, in conjunction with other first round upsets of the Big East Tournament.
Look, we’re still on the bubble, and I understand that we have a chance to get in. But that’s all it is: a chance. If we lose on Tuesday or Wednesday & don’t get in, nobody here will remember the last two games fondly. All we’re gonna think about is losing to Providence or Notre Dame & what might have been.
I’m proud of the way this team has played the last two games. But there’s still a long way to go. We gotta remember that before we get ahead of ourselves & realize how inconsistent this team can be. And at the end of it all, I’ll still be proud of this team, as everybody else on here should be. Onward Setonia!
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