5 Questions the Seton Hall Pirates Must Answer In Conference Play

By Matt Johnson

5 Questions the Seton Hall Pirates Must Answer In Conference Play

Seton Hall Pirates — It’s been nearly a decade since the Seton Hall Pirates made a trip to the NCAA Tournament. But with 17 games in the books for 2014-15, coach Kevin Willard’s squad might be on their way back to the Big Dance for the first time since 2006. Currently, Seton Hall sits at 13-4 overall with a strong RPI rating of 19. If the Pirates can answer these five questions during Big East play, Seton Hall should be dancing when all is said and done.

5. Can They Improve Their Assist-to-Turnover Ratio?

Seton Hall Pirates

5. Can They Improve Their Assist-to-Turnover Ratio?

Seton Hall Pirates — Through 17 games, the Pirates have racked up 209 assists while committing 210 turnovers. If Seton Hall wants to return to the NCAA Tournament, they’ll need to improve those numbers against a Big East slate that features strong defensive teams in Georgetown, Providence and Villanova.

4. Can the Pirates Win On the Road?

Seton Hall Pirates

4. Can the Pirates Win On the Road?

Seton Hall Pirates — Seton Hall carries one of the youngest rosters in the Big East with eight freshmen amongst the 14 players. So far, all that youth has led the Pirates to a 2-3 record on the road. Seton Hall will need to perform well away from the friendly confines of the Prudential Center if they hope to return to the NCAA Tournament in March.

3. Who Will Step Up In Isaiah Whitehead’s Absence?

Sterling Gibbs

3. Who Will Step Up In Isaiah Whitehead’s Absence?

Seton Hall Pirates — With Whitehead sidelined due to a stress fracture, the Pirates need another scorer to emerge and complement Sterling Gibbs. Other than Gibbs’ 17.2 points per game average, Seton Hall doesn’t have an active player who averages in double-figures offensively. If the Pirates can find a secondary source of offense, their NCAA Tournament hopes will increase dramatically.

2. Can Angel Delgado and Brandon Mobley Continue To Carry the Frontcourt?

Brandon Mobley

2. Can Angel Delgado and Brandon Mobley Continue To Carry the Frontcourt?

Brandon Mobley — The talented 6-foot-9 Delgado is averaging 8.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game this season. Already considered an elite rebounder, Delgado has also proven capable of producing offensively inside while fellow forward Mobley averages 9.8 points per outing. If Delgado and Mobley can continue to produce up front, Seton Hall will be in good shape come March.

1. Is Seton Hall A Threat In the Big East?

Jaren Sina

1. Is Seton Hall A Threat In the Big East?

Jaren Sina — Coming into the season, Villanova was considered a virtual lock to claim another Big East crown in 2014-15. Can the Pirates become a factor down the stretch? So far, Seton Hall is 3-2 in league play with upcoming road dates against Butler and Marquette on the slate for next week. If Seton Hall can show well in those contests, the Pirates might be in the thick of the conference race to the end.

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Seton Hall Pirates

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