The Hall Showed The Scarlet Knights What They Are Missing In The Big East
On Saturday night, the Seton Hall Pirates hosted the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Prudential Center for the Garden State Hardwood Classic, and one thing was very clear — these are not your Pirates of last season.
This marked the 11th installment of the Hardwood Classic and the 76th all-time matchup between the two programs, a rivalry that has grown increasingly heated over the years.
Seton Hall dominated Rutgers in an 81–59 victory, controlling the game from start to finish. Rutgers turned the ball over five times within the first three minutes of the opening half, and Seton Hall wasted no time capitalizing, jumping out to a quick 11–0 lead.
Rutgers eventually found a brief spark, with Harun Zrno knocking down a foul shot followed by a three-pointer, but the Scarlet Knights simply couldn’t keep pace with the physicality and aggressive style of play Seton Hall has embraced this season.
Seton Hall head coach Shaheen Holloway made it a priority to add experience to this roster, and despite telling the media just weeks ago that he missed out on certain transfer targets due to NIL limitations, he still managed to bring in 10 transfers who have made an immediate and positive impact.
Seton Hall is reportedly spending approximately $6 million on its current roster — more than rival Rutgers. And honestly? It showed.
The Pirates found consistent success by forcing turnovers and generating steals throughout the game. AJ Staton-McCray led all scorers with a game-high 18 points.
With the win, Holloway improves to 2–2 against Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell. Seton Hall now leads the all-time series and holds an 8–4 edge since the Garden State Hardwood Classic began.
The Pirates currently sit at No. 2 in the Big East, while Rutgers is dead last in the Big Ten and when Holloway was asked if he would be open to playing Rutgers in “home and home” series each season he quipped back “If they want to play twice, tell them to come back to the Big East.” something tells me that Rutgers isn’t exactly eager to face The Hall again anytime soon.
The Pirates will face Providence on Friday, December 19th, followed by another massive matchup in what promises to be yet another heated rivalry game against the Villanova Wildcats on Tuesday, December 23.
