201-16 Big East Preview - SETON HALL PIRATES

The Big Picture

Last year, the Pirates got through the first half of their BIG EAST schedule with a 5-4 record, but they slipped in the second half and settled with a 6-12 league mark and a 16-15 record overall. Last season’s heralded freshman recruiting class is back with a year of seasoning under its belt and coach Kevin Willard expects two graduate transfers to provide some immediate experienced help as Seton Hall attempts to move up in the standings.

Who’s Back

Angel Delgado and Isaiah Whitehead were part of the top-level recruiting class and both enjoyed strong seasons.
Delgado, a 6-9 forward, was named BIG EAST Rookie of the Year after averaging 9.8 points and 5.0 rebounds. He won the BIG EAST rebounding crown by averaging 10.7 boards in league games. Whitehead, the BIG EAST Preseason Rookie of the Year, overcame a foot injury in the middle of the season and averaged 12.0 points and 3.9 rebounds.

Khadeen Carrington was in the guard rotation last year and averaged 8.8 points. 

Desi Rodriguez, a 6-6 forward, played 16.6 minutes per game and averaged 5.6 points and 4.5 rebounds. He’ll be a candidate to start at the small forward spot. Sixseven Ismael Sanogo and 6-9 Rashed Anthony saw limited action, but may see increased playing time.

Who’s Gone

Sterling Gibbs, who led the team in scoring (16.9) and assists (3.8), left as a graduate transfer. He was second in the BIG EAST in 3-point shooting, hitting 43.6 percent. He made All-BIG EAST Second Team.
Senior forward Brandon Mobley was a dependable contributor and averaged 9.8 points and 5.0 rebounds. Guard Haralds Karlis (3.3) and forward Stephane Manga (2.6, 1.5) average just over 12 minutes per game coming off the bench.

Storylines

Guard Derrick Gordon and forward Braeden Anderson are the graduate transfers who will add some experience to the lineup.
Gordon is a versatile performer who averaged 9.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists at Massachusetts. He is a 1,000-point scorer.
The 6-9 Anderson will offer some immediate support near the basket. He started 14 games last season at Fresno State and averaged 2.1 points and 2.4 rebounds. A native of Alberta, he was named Mr. Canada Basketball in 2011.
Coach Willard will work to mesh this group of seniors and sophomores.
The freshman class includes guard-forward Veer Singh, guard Dalton Soffer and forwards Myles Carter and Michael Nzei.


QUICK FACTS
Location: South Orange, NJ
Enrollment: 9,800
Founded: 1856
Nickname: Pirates
Colors: Blue, Silver and Grey
Home Courts: Prudential Center (18,500)

COACHING STAFF
Head Coach
Kevin Willard (Pittsburgh ’97)
Office Phone: (973) 761-9070
Associate Head Coach
Shaheen Holloway (Seton Hall, ‘00)
Assistant Coaches
Fred Hill (Montclair State ‘81)