The Seton Hall Pirates, aiming for their second NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament appearance in three years, were sidelined by a wave of upsets in conference tournaments, ending up as one of the First Four Out. However, unlike other teams that narrowly missed the tournament cut, Seton Hall accepted an invitation to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), entering as a No. 1 seed.
In the first round, the Pirates faced St. Joseph’s, narrowly escaping with a 75-72 overtime victory. Despite being heavily favored, Seton Hall only managed a three-point win. Al Amir Dawes led the Pirates, scoring 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Dylan Addae-Wusu also shined against the Hawks, contributing 18 points on 6-for-12 shooting.
Photo Cred: New York Post
Later in the week, the Pirates’ performance improved against North Texas, securing a more comfortable 72-58 win. Kadary Richmond rebounded from a less impactful game against St. Joseph’s, posting 11 points and 15 rebounds against the Mean Green. Dre Davis continued his season-long effectiveness, scoring 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
Photo Cred ESPN
Looking ahead, it remains to be seen who Seton Hall will face next in the NIT. Following their decisive victory over North Texas, the team appears to be gaining momentum, although their narrow win over St. Joseph’s revealed some vulnerabilities. Another significant aspect of the Pirates’ future is their strategy in the transfer portal, which opened after Selection Sunday. With several team members nearing the end of their eligibility, Coach Shaheen Holloway’s approach to building next year’s team will be key.
