For many, the Seton Hall men’s basketball program is an important part of their livelihood.
Within the past decade, the program has experienced so many incredible moments that have brought fans to tears. Ten years ago, the program won the BIG EAST tournament for the third time ever. Just two years ago after getting snubbed from the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the Pirates captured the NIT Championship over Indiana State.
Let’s not forget the many stars that have graced the hardwood the past couple of years for the Pirates. Isaiah Whitehead, Ángel Delgado, Myles Powell, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Kadary Richmond and many more. Whether it was under current Villanova head coach Kevin Willard or current head man Shaheen Holloway, Seton Hall has had their moments.
Unfortunately and unfairly, some assumed in the current landscape of college athletics that Seton Hall could no longer compete with “Power 5” competition. What do I mean by this? Look no further than their disastrous 2024-2025 season.
Seven wins. The team only won seven times last season. One win came at home against the back-to-back national champions in UConn.
It was no secret that financially, it was a struggle for the program. From some fans’ perspective as well, winning the NIT in 2024 may have hurt them. Holloway couldn’t really use the transfer portal effectively which led to some bad pickups in hindsight.
Following last season, the entire roster was gutted. Besides scholarship pieces like Jahseem Felton and Godswill Erheriene and a few walk-ons staying, everyone jumped ship and went elsewhere.
Now, it’s January 7 at the time of writing this and the Pirates sit third in the BIG EAST with an overall record of 13-2. They have major victories over teams like NC State, Kansas State and Creighton. Oh and they received 31 votes in this week’s AP Top 25.
So, what is bringing back fans and has the Pirates becoming one of the best stories in the sport this season?
Let’s talk about the new crewmates that came on board this season. The starting five has been consistent over the first 15 games this season with all five being transfers. Adam “Budd” Clark (Merrimack), AJ Staton-McCray (Miami FL), Mike Williams (LSU), Elijah Fisher (Pacific) and Stephon Payne (Jacksonville).
As an undersized guard, Clark has used his speed well and has morphed into a stellar defensive star. As of this Wednesday, the junior guard is first in the conference when it comes to steals with 2.3 per game. Offensively, he is one of the best passers in the BIG EAST with 5.2 assists per game as of Wednesday.
Onto Staton-McCray, the guy can score. As the top scorer on the squad with 12.8 points per game, Staton-McCray has become a reliable option offensively. He’s also proven to be necessary when it comes to getting buckets from the perimeter, shooting 38.7% from three.
Personally, one player I have enjoyed watching in a couple games this season has been Williams. The former top 100 recruit has done great in a few contests for the Pirates. This was the case during the Maui Invitational when he averaged 11 points and two rebounds in the three games there.
Payne, however, may be one of the biggest surprises of them all. It’s likely many fans didn’t know who he was coming into the 2025-2026 campaign. Now, everyone does.
Down low in the paint, Payne is a nightmare to contain. Entering Wednesday as a top-five rebounder in the conference with 7.5 per game, his physicality makes it impossible for opposing players to win on the boards. Blocking wise, he’s top-five in the conference with 1.5 per game.
Some fans have already compared Payne to Pirates legend Ángel Delgado because of how incredible he is in the paint. Having a career-high 22 rebounds (most by a Pirate since 2018) vs Marquette last week does help his case.
After the starting five, there are quality and talented pieces on the bench that have been good for the Pirates this season. Notably, Tajuan Simpkins and Plainfield native Najai Hines.
First, Simpkins has been terrific off the bench so far. Shooting wise, no matter where he is on the court, the Elon transfer has been good for the Pirates. This has helped him become the second leading scorer on the team with 10.7 points per game.
Simpkins was the hero for the Pirates in their BIG EAST opener at Providence when he nailed a massive three pointer with 1:02 remaining in the game.
Now for the fan-favorite and the freshman who won the game for the Pirates vs Creighton on Sunday, Najai Hines. With seconds remaining, Hines scored in the paint with a swarm of Bluejays around him to win it for Seton Hall.
“Baby Shaq,” ranked as the No. 1 player in New Jersey for the Class of 2025, has been outstanding for the Pirates this year. It is not insane to say that the freshman is one of the best shot-blockers in the nation. Entering Wednesday, Hines was 18th in the nation with 2.5 blocks per game.
Ever since the New Jersey native stepped on the Prudential Center court for the Pirates, it’s been awesome to watch the young man play. In his first collegiate game vs Saint Peter’s back in November, he had 12 points, nine rebounds and a ridiculous six blocks. He then set a career-high in blocks a week later vs Monmouth where he tallied seven.
As a whole defensively, this year’s Pirates squad has lived up to Holloway’s standard. They possess a top-10 squad when it comes to blocking with 5.9 per game as of Wednesday. They’re a top-15 unit in the nation when it comes to steals with 10.1 per game.
With the Pirates off to a fantastic start in their first 15 games, the nation is starting to love and notice what’s happening in South Orange. ESPN’s bracketologist Joe Lunardi currently has the Pirates as the ninth seed in the Midwest region part of the bracket. Lunardi has the Pirates facing the UCF Knights in the first round as of Tuesday, January 6.
On deck now for Seton Hall in their next two games are a couple of big time rivals. First on Saturday, they’ll head to the nation’s capital to face Georgetown. Then on Tuesday, the Pirates will look for their biggest win of the season when they face the current No. 4 team in the nation in UConn.
