As Seton Hall tops Rutgers, Pirates look like serious Big East, NCAA Tournament contender

NEWARK – Bragging rights mean something in these parts, and Seton Hall officially has them for the next 12 months thanks to the Pirates’ victory over in-state rival Rutgers in Sunday’s Garden State Hardwood Classic. It's especially important given the huge wins each program produced Thursday night.

But beyond Pirates’ backers being able to proudly wear their blue and white swag for the next year, what transpired during a 77-63 victory at the Prudential Center was the latest example of why this season could be so meaningful to the program and its fanbase.

It was two seasons ago that the COVID-19 pandemic crushed the dreams of a team that was looking like a No. 3 seed headed for the friendly confines of Albany, in what would have been a fifth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament for the Pirates.

Seton Hall Pirates guard Bryce Aiken (1) reacts after making a three point shot in the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Prudential Center.
Seton Hall Pirates guard Bryce Aiken (1) reacts after making a three point shot in the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Prudential Center.

And while it may only be December, the current edition is looking more and more like it might be able to make a nice run when March Madness rolls around. And that would go a long way towards easing the memory of what might have been.

Pieces falling into place for Pirates

The Pirates are very good right now, especially on defense. They’re 9-1, a 3-pointer by Ohio State’s Meechie Johnson away from being unbeaten and in the Top 5 nationally. They came into this game ranked 23rd, and figure to be in the top 20 this week.

“I think we’ve proven we are one of the best teams in the country," said Jared Rhoden, who finished with 16 points and nine rebounds. "I made a statement -- and I stand on it -- a couple of months ago. We are one of the best teams in the country and one of the most talented teams by far.”

Given all the pieces that had to fall into place perfectly for the Pirates to return to the elite level, this is shaping up as Kevin Willard’s finest coaching job yet.

It was all on display in front of a big crowd that provided a frenetic atmosphere.

Alexis Yetna, the 6-8 transfer from South Florida, has emerged as a force, finishing with 10 points and seven rebounds. And Syracuse transfer Kadary Richmond is another who has fit in nicely, finishing with 12 points.

Blended in with stalwarts like Rhoden, Myles Cale (10 points) and game MVP Bryce Aiken (22 points), and the Pirates have clearly shown what might be possible this season.

The rivalry with Rutgers aside, Seton Hall beat a team that knocked off the No. 1 team in the land three nights earlier. And they have wins over No. 4 Michigan and No. 7 Texas, with the latter coming on Thursday.

That’s heady stuff as conference play approaches in what figures to be an ultra-competitive Big East.

“I think we’re battle tested. I think we have a chance,” Willard said. “I knew the league was going to be a bear. You look at the rosters who came back, I think (Tony Stubblefield) at DePaul is doing as good a job as any coach in the country. I knew what St. John’s was going to be like, I knew Providence was going to be one of the better teams in the country because of Nate Watson, and they added a great guard in Al Durham, so I really thought I needed to test this team.

“I think more than anything we’re tested. We’ll be in situations when we go on the road now where we’ve been in tough situations and the players have gained experience.”

At this point, who’s to say this team can’t make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, which is the one hole in Willard’s resume at this point. He’s proven he can have his team hang around the top of one of the country’s most competitive leagues on an annual basis.

And maybe this is the year they do more than that.

The atmosphere at the Rock for this battle could certainly help if the fans can replicate it on a nightly basis. The Pirates fed off it at several points when Rutgers made its runs.

The fact that Seton Hall did more than just survive in a rivalry game against a Scarlet Knights’ team that came in with a lot of confidence was telling.

It was just a 40-minute snapshot in December, but what a snapshot it was. And it sent a clear message about what might be possible for the Pirates this season.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Seton Hall in win over Rutgers has look of big-time team