Seton Hall basketball: Alexis Yetna emerges in win over Bethune-Cookman

NEWARK — Everyone was wondering when Alexis Yetna would hit stride with Seton Hall basketball after the power forward transferred from South Florida with high expectations.

Perhaps Sunday was a turning point.

Yetna recorded his first double-double as a Pirate, tallying 14 points and 13 rebounds, in a 84-70 win over Bethune-Cookman before about 4,000 fans at the Prudential Center.

His effort, which included making all six free throws, helped the 21st-ranked Hall improve to 5-1 and shake off a poor first half that ended with Bethune-Cookman leading by one.

"I’m feeling more comfortable every day,” Yetna said. “Coaches are always pushing me to be more aggressive."

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The former American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year hadn't fully asserted himself until Sunday.

“I’m still getting used to a lot of the new guys and what they’re doing, and what they can do, and one of the things I’ve got to do with Lex is get him inside more and not space him, and give him the opportunities to be aggressive and get some of his junkyard dog points that he’s always gotten," Hall coach Kevin Willard said. "So I think some of his stats and his rebounding issues have been more the way I’ve used him on offense than (on) him, but it was good to see him be out there and be aggressive.”

Fellow transfer Jamir Harris, who chipped in 11 points and three assists Sunday, said learning a new system and new teammates has been a big adjustment for all the newcomers.

"The sky's the limit for Lex," Harris said. "He never cares about stats; he only cares about winning. For him to have a game like that, I'm really happy for him. It's only going to be up from here."

Bethune-Cookman (1-6) came in ranked 355th out of 358 Division I teams by the authoritative analytics website Kenpom.com.

Postgrad wing Myles Cale missed a third straight game with a strained groin but is "looking much better," Willard said.

"He definitely won’t play Wednesday (vs. Wagner), but after that, it’ll probably be game-to-game," Willard said.

Freshman wing Brandon Weston remains sidelined as he continues to recover from an early 2021 knee surgery.

“B-West could definitely play when he gets cleared by the doctors," Willard said. "I don’t know when that is. Don’t ask."

Willard also said freshman guard Ryan Conway, who hasn't logged a minute yet, "is on the path to being a redshirt."

FIVE TAKEAWAYS

1. Jahari Long experiment continues

For the second straight game Willard started Long, who began the season as the rotation’s 10th man. For the second straight game, the sophomore made the most of his minutes. With Cale out he’s the team’s top defensive guard.

It's a compelling story. Long suffered a knee injury over the summer that could have shut him down for the season. Instead he opted for rehab and has clawed his way back into action.

“I was having a great summer, I was probably at my best, and one practice I started to have this feeling in my knee and that just really took a toll," Long said. "I wasn’t able to move the way I wanted to. This journey back has been very frustrating, but the fact that I’ve been able to get back on the court and get into games, it’s been very exciting for me.”

Willard is trying to reward Long for his perseverance and cultivate a situational player who might be needed at some point — especially if the Pirates need backcourt stops.

“He missed almost three months in rehab, so I’m just trying to get him some confidence back and some rhythm back, and get him back into some sort of game shape," Willard said. "I thought he played really well in the first half. The second half, I sat him too long, but in the first half, he played well."

Long logged three points, three rebounds (two offensive), three assists, two fouls, two turnovers and a steal over 20 minutes.

His goals, he said, are “being great on defense and being more aggressive mentally and not shying away from the moment.”

His teammates respect the road he's taken.

“Selfless guy," Harris said. "He just wants to be on the court doing whatever he can to help us win. Seeing him come back, working that hard to get back, makes me and the rest of the guys go that much harder in practice.”

2. Perimeter defense soft

Willard emphasizes perimeter defense. It’s his specialty as a coach. So he can’t be satisfied with how Bethune-Cookman’s guards beat his guys over and over. The Wildcats got whatever they wanted in the first half and shot 54% from the field, almost exclusively beyond the paint. The open looks continued after halftime but the shots stopped falling (they still ended at a healthy .468).

3. Stop chucking threes

The Pirates clearly held a huge advantage in size and skill inside, yet kept hoisting 3-pointers. They shot 8-of-29 from deep after starting off 4-of-21. It’s a recipe for failure against better opponents.

4. Free throws a plus

A program Achilles heel for years, free throws appear to be a strength this season. The Pirates made 20 of 21 shots from the stripe and move into second in the Big East in that category at 77% on the season, behind only perennial leader Villanova.

5. A chance to reset

The Pirates likely will fall out of the Associated Press Top 25, with Ohio State taking their place, but will have a chance to iron out the kinks against Wagner Wednesday and Nyack Saturday before the schedule's biggest week: home games against eighth-ranked Texas Dec. 9 and struggling rival Rutgers Dec. 12.

Side note: Ticket sales for the Texas game have been slower than expected. Rutgers is on pace to sell out the lower bowl, but don't expect the upper level to open.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Seton Hall basketball: Alexis Yetna excels in win over Bethune-Cookman