For the first time since 1993 the Seton Hall Pirates are the Big East champions—and what a win it was. Seton Hall was able to jump out to an early lead in the first half. They were able to smother Villanova’s powerful offence, keeping them from reaching the 30-point mark in the first half. This active and energetic defence seemed to bother the Nova ball-handlers, especially senior Ryan Arcidiacono. After winning the Big East POY in his junior year, Arcidiacono had another stellar season averaging 12 points per game, shooting 36% from behind the arc on nearly 5 attempts per contest and running the team’s offence to perfection with 4.5 assists a game. This was not his night however, as the sure-handed guard was held to 5 points on 2 of 10 shooting.
Arcidiacono’s counterpart, Isaiah Whitehead, did not struggle. In fact the sophomore was dynamic, scoring a game high 26 points and helping the Pirates in getting out to a 40-29 lead at half. In fact if it weren’t for the fantastic efforts of Villanova’s Josh Hart, Seton Hall would have been far out of reach by the haftime.
As good as Seton Hall played in the first half, the second half they were stagnant and lethargic. A young team known for mental lapses, the Pirates’ youth showed as play resumed. While Nova is led by seniors and experienced players, Seton Hall relied on their aggression and athleticism, which had served them so well in the first half. However they seemed to let the moment get away from them coming out of the break.
As good as Josh Hart was in the first half to keep Villanova in the game, driving to the rim and using his strength inside, it was Kris Jenkins who brought them back in the second half. His deft shooting touch from behind the arc and size in the post was a nightmare for the Seton Hall defenders. It was on his back, and with some timely buckets from Daniel Ochefu, that allowed the Wildcats to cut the lead to 1 with 12:23 left to play in the game.
From that point it was back and forth between the two teams, and all the while you got the sense that the experienced Villanova team would eventually pull away. Give credit to the Pirates who held their own, but with 52 seconds left Kris Jenkins hit a contested jumper from distance to give the Wildcats a 3 point lead.
The game seemed to be over, but Isaiah Whitehead, in what seemed to summarize his performance, picked Josh Hart’s pocket, streaked down the floor and finished with a layup plus the foul over the Nova defender.
Arcidiacono had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but slipped and his heave fell well short, sealing the victory for Seton Hall in a thriller.
