Why Seton Hall vs. Monmouth is rarity for NJ college basketball; plus scouting reports

NEWARK - When Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway opens his first season with Monmouth visiting the Prudential Center tonight, before hosting the Saint Peter’s program he led to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament last March on Saturday, it marks a major shift for New Jersey college basketball.

The games will be the first time either Seton Hall or Rutgers, the state’s two high-major programs, will have played Monmouth, Saint Peter’s, Princeton or Rider since 2017.

“When I got the job I told them I wanted to play local teams,” Holloway said. “I understand. I was here, I was in this league (the MAAC). First of all, the exposure you could get playing a high-major program, it’s a nationally televised game, plus it’s a money game. So I definitely understand it.”

It’s a big deal for the top the state’s top mid-major programs to play these games, and it’s great for the sport locally.

Seton Hall did have a game with Saint Peter’s that was scrapped by the pandemic, as was a Rutgers-Rider game, but you get the point. Games between in-state rivals have become a rarity.

Seton Hall-Saint Peter’s was an annual affair, with the two playing 88 times between 1932 and 2017. But former Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard ended it when Holloway, his former assistant, took over at Saint Peter’s during the 2018-19 season.

“I just through it was important to get the (Saint Peter’s) game back on the schedule,” Holloway said. “It had been on the schedule for so many years - for it to not be on the schedule during the time I was (at Saint Peter’s). I didn’t think it was appropriate.”

Holloway owns a 5-4 advantage head-to-head against Rice, with Saint Peter's beating Monmouth three times last season. The last came in the MAAC Tournament championship game, a 60-54 victory that set the stage for the Peacocks' March Madness heroics.

“I think that is the responsibility of the high majors," Rice said. "Of course we all want to play Seton Hall and Rutgers. That's a big deal for us. (Rutgers) coach (Steve) Pikiell and I have talked. He says he’s going to play us at some point, and now we have those two guys there and now I think they will do that.

"It would be awesome, but I do understand they have to pick the right ones each year so that it doesn’t count against them. If our team is not ranked where it should be it’s not good for them, so I do understand there's a lot that goes into scheduling."

Monmouth missing key players

Monmouth will be without 6-9 forward Jarvis Vaughan, penciled in as a starter, with the redshirt junior set to undergo knee surgery. He is expected to miss up to six weeks.

Rice also indicated that 6-9 freshman Jaret Valencia will redshirt this season. A late signee, Valencia is a three-star recruit who was expected to make an immediate impact.

“Jaret and his family had indicated they wanted him to redshirt, and we always do what is best for our players,” Rice said. “We had that discussion with him and that’s what we’re going to do.”

In addition, 6-9 sophomore center Tadhg Crowley is in concussion protocol, and sophomore point guard Sam Fagen will not be available, which means a lot of playing time for walk-on point guard Jakari Spence, the former Toms River North standout.

In all, Monmouth will have just 10 players available against Seton Hall.

Monmouth (0-0) at Seton Hall (0-0)

When/Where: Wednesday, 8 p.m., Prudential Center, Newark (FoxSports1).

Series history: Seton Hall is 12-0 in the in-state rivalry, winning 75-65 on Nov. 12, 2017 in Newark in the last meeting.

Seton Hall projected starters: Kadary Richmond (Jr., G, 6-6); Al-Amir Dawes (Jr., G, 6-2); Dre Davis (Jr., F, 6-6); KC Ndefo (Gr., F, 6-7); Tyrese Samuel (Sr., F, 6-10).

Key reserves: Jamir Harris (Gr., G, 6-2); Femi Odukale (Jr., G, 6-5); Jaquan Sanders (Fr., G, 6-4); Tae Davis (Fr., F, 6-9); Tray Jackson (Jr., F, 6-10).

Monmouth projected starters: Myles Ruth (Jr., PG., 6-0); Tyron Allen (So., G., 6-5); Jack Collins (Fr., G. 6-5); Myles Foster (Jr., F., 6-7); Klemen Vuga (Jr., C., 6-10).

Key reserves: Jayden Doyle (So., G., 6-4); Jack Holmstrom (Jr., G., 6-6); Andrew Ball (Fr., G. 6-6); Amaan Sandhu (Fr., C., 7-1); Jakari Spence (Jr., PG., 6-2).

Three keys for Seton Hall

1- Share the ball. Watch closely to see what the ball movement, spacing, off-ball screening and shot selection look like. These were issues in the past that Holloway has been harping on, but might take time to instill.

2. Everybody to the glass. If the Pirates' going to be dangerously thin up front, with just two traditional bigs and only one player who weighs more than 215 pounds, their long guards and wings have to crash the boards.

3. Start fast. Slow starts were a chronic problem under Kevin Willard. The Pirates have more talent. Let's see if they hit the accelerator early and show some killer instinct.

Three keys for Monmouth

1. Play hard. It’s the first step on what will be the toughest schedule, start-to-finish, Monmouth has ever played. The one thing they can control is how hard they play, all the time. It’s going to take leadership from both the Hawks’ experienced players and Rice and his coaching staff.

2. Hit open shots.: Myles Foster has proven he can score inside, but the ability to knock down shots from the perimeter is the big question mark. Players like Tyron Allen, Jack Collins, and Andrew Ball and Jayden Doyle have to hit whatever open looks they get.

3. Protect the ball. Monmouth puts the ball in Myles Ruth’s hands, and as the only experienced point guard on the roster reducing turnovers starts with him. The Hawks can’t be competitive if they’re coming up with empty possessions, particularly ones that result in scores at the other end.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Seton Hall vs. Monmouth: Why game is big for NJ college basketball