In another ranking of Big East teams, today’s rankings focus on the #9 team in the Big East: The Seton Hall Pirates. Shaheen Holloway heads into his second season trying to get the Pirates on the right track. Will he do it? This article explains why Seton Hall got the ninth spot in the Big East.
Big East Rankings: #9 Seton Hall Pirates
Projected Starting 5
PG- Al Amir-Dawes
SG- Kadary Richmond
SF- Dylan Addae-Wusu
PF-Dre Davis
Where the Pirates Found Success?
Defense
The Pirates thrived on the defensive end. During conference games, Seton Hall was first in scoring defense. They also ranked 44th nationally for defensive efficiency. Holloway’s mark is being a defensive-minded coach, and Seton Hall was quite good on the defensive end. Furthermore, they were a good shot-blocking team in 2022-2023. The Pirates were third in blocks per game in conference games, and 54th nationally. For the opportunity of success to occur in 2023-2024, Seton Hall needs to build off of their good defensive habits from last season.
Why They are No. 9
Offense
Even though people think they brought in good offensive players in the portal like Hutchins-Everett, their offense was not great a season ago. While Shaheen Holloway is a good defensive coach, the offensive end is not as successful. Last season, Seton Hall was tenth in scoring offense during conference play. To make matters worse, the Pirates were 9th in three-point percentage, and last in assist-to-turnover ratio. While they have more talent that produces better offense than Butler and DePaul, they aren’t as talented as other teams in the Big East.
Why do They Rank Higher than DePaul and Butler?
Seton Hall ranks higher because they are more talented on both sides of the ball. They are versatile, athletic, and have a lot of experience. DePaul has a lot of unproven returners and transfers that need to fit a system that relies solely on threes. Butler struggles to score. Their offensive woes are a major problem for a team that does not play, at a fast pace. Seton Hall can be erratic, but their guards are all very talented players on both ends. Furthermore, their best players experienced playing big minutes in the Big East, making a big difference.
The Last Word on the Seton Hall Pirates
Seton Hall is an interesting team because they play with hustle and heart. Holloway’s ability to hold players accountable, and defend keeps Seton Hall as an interesting squad to follow. Seton Hall may not be as highly ranked as their fans want them to be, but they can surprise people if their offense makes strides. Will the Pirates become relevant again?
