As I sit down to analyze Seton Hall's upcoming basketball season, I can't help but draw parallels between what we're building here and the competitive landscape I've been observing in international basketball circuits. Just last week, I was studying the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League standings where Abra leads the North Division with an impressive 23-2 record, while Quezon Province dominates the South with their 20-4 mark. These numbers aren't just statistics—they represent the kind of disciplined, consistent performance that championship teams are made of, and it's exactly the standard I believe Seton Hall needs to emulate this season.
Looking at our roster construction for 2024, I'm genuinely excited about the blend of experience and fresh talent we've assembled. Having followed college basketball for over fifteen years, I've learned that successful teams typically have three key components: veteran leadership, dynamic newcomers, and what I like to call "glue players" who do the little things that don't always show up in box scores. This year's Pirates squad appears to check all those boxes, though we'll need to see how quickly the pieces gel during non-conference play. Our backcourt features returning starter Kadary Richmond, who averaged 12.5 points and 5.8 assists last season—numbers that should see improvement given his offseason work on his perimeter shooting.
What really has me optimistic, though, is our frontcourt depth. We've added transfers that remind me of how San Juan built their 22-2 roster in the MPBL—through strategic acquisitions that address specific needs rather than just collecting talent. The addition of Elijah Hutchins-Everett from Austin Peay gives us a legitimate low-post scorer who can command double teams, something we sorely lacked last season when our offense would sometimes stagnate against disciplined defensive teams. His ability to score with both hands around the basket is something you don't often see at the college level, and I suspect he'll be among the team's leading scorers despite coming off the bench initially.
The development of our returning players will be crucial to our success this season. Dre Davis showed flashes of brilliance last year, particularly in our matchup against Connecticut where he dropped 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. If he can maintain that level of efficiency throughout the entire Big East schedule, we're looking at a potential all-conference player. I've always believed that the jump from sophomore to junior year is when players make their most significant development, and Davis appears to be following that trajectory based on what I saw during summer workouts.
Our non-conference schedule presents both challenges and opportunities. The early November matchup against USC will tell us a lot about where this team stands nationally. Having attended this rivalry game for the past eight seasons, I can say that the atmosphere at Prudential Center for these high-profile non-conference games is unlike anything else in college basketball. It's these early tests that prepare teams for the grind of conference play, much like how Quezon Province built their 20-4 record in the MPBL South Division by testing themselves against quality opponents throughout their schedule.
The Big East conference itself looks stronger than it has in recent memory, which means we'll need contributions from every player on the roster. What excites me most about this year's team is the potential for different lineup combinations that coach Holloway can deploy. We could go with a traditional two-big lineup featuring Samuel and Bediako, or we can play small ball with Richmond as the primary ball-handler surrounded by shooters. This versatility will be crucial during the February grind when injuries and fatigue start to become factors.
I'm particularly interested to see how our freshman class adapts to the college game. Isaiah Coleman comes in with plenty of hype, and based on what I saw during his high school career, he has the potential to be one of those rare impact freshmen who changes the complexion of a game with his athleticism and defensive instincts. The transition from high school to college basketball is always challenging, but players with his physical tools and basketball IQ tend to adjust more quickly. If he can provide meaningful minutes by January, it would significantly raise our ceiling as a team.
The three-point shooting must improve from last season's 32.8% mark if we want to compete for a Big East title. During my film study of last season's performances, I noticed our shooters often settled for contested attempts rather than working for better shots within the flow of the offense. The addition of graduate transfer Dylan Addae-Wusu should help in this department, as he shot 38.2% from deep last season at St. John's. His catch-and-shoot ability will create better spacing for our drivers and post players.
Defensively, I expect this team to be among the best in the conference. We have the length and athleticism to switch effectively, and Al-Amir Dawes has developed into one of the better perimeter defenders in the Big East. His ability to navigate screens and stay attached to ball handlers will be crucial against the elite guards we'll face throughout conference play. The defensive system that coach Holloway has implemented emphasizes communication and help defense, principles that take time to master but pay dividends during close games.
As we approach the start of the season, my prediction is that this team will finish in the top four of the Big East and secure an NCAA tournament bid. The pieces are there for a special season, but it will require health, development, and perhaps a little luck along the way. The leadership from our upperclassmen will be paramount, much like how Abra maintained their position atop the MPBL standings through consistent performance against all levels of competition. If our veterans can set the tone both on and off the court, I believe this team has the potential to surpass expectations and make some noise in March. The foundation is there—now it's about building something memorable, game by game, possession by possession, in what promises to be an exciting chapter for Seton Hall basketball.
France Ligue 1 Matches Today
