Seton Hall Pirates

2023-24 Result: 25-12 (13-7 Big East), NIT Champions

Key Additions

Zion Harmon (Bethune-Cookman)

Chaunce Jenkins (Old Dominion)

Yacine Toumi (Evansville)

Prince Aligbe (Boston College)

Garwey Dual (Providence)

Shaheen Holloway lost a lot from last year’s team. They lost 4 of their top 5 scorers including their top 3 and are attempting to replace them through the portal. After winning last year’s NIT championship, several of the Pirates’ best players cashed in in the portal. Holloway brought in two guards in Zion Harmon and Chaunce Jenkins, and two forwards in Yacine Toumi and Prince Aligbe.

It is difficult to say what the Pirates will look like defensively this season. Coach Holloway coaches with energy and passion, which always adds some fire to the defense. However, they lost their interior presence in Jaden Bediako and versatile defenders, Dre Davis and Kadary Richmond. Now with a backcourt that does not have the length or versatility that last year’s team had, and a frontcourt with s starting center that did not average half a block per game at Evansville last year, it is hard to imagine that this defense is very good. Prince Aligbe will add some needed physicality on the wing, but if he does not improve offensively this season, it is hard to see him playing long stretches of minutes. Dylan Addae-Wusu will be relied upon to guard the other team’s best perimeter player, but this is not something that he is used to.

Offensively, the Pirates will see a significant dip in production this season. As mentioned, they lost their top three scorers from last season and the players that they brought in might have averaged double figures last season, but on very inefficient shooting. The Big East is a different animal than what Bethune-Cookman or Old Dominion was playing against last season, and these guys will be relied on heavily right away. Similarly to the defensive end, Dylan Addae-Wusu will need to really step up and produce offensively. If the Seton Hall offense is going to stay in games, they are going to need well-rounded production on much higher efficiency than their players have previously shown.

After winning the NIT last season, many might have thought that the Seton Hall Pirates found something and would be primed for a big season in 2024. However, with the losses of four starters and lower-end replacements coming in, Shaheen Holloway’s team looks like it will have a tough time this season. Based on what we have seen from this roster up to this point, an appearance in the NIT would be a good season for them.