Pirates Host Providence in Key Conference Clash

Published: Tuesday, January 28, 2025

by CJ Weipz

The Seton Hall men's basketball team (6-14, 1-8) returns home tonight to face the Providence Friars (10-10, 4-5) in their second matchup of the season. The Pirates are seeking their second conference win, while the Friars aim to build momentum after a recent victory against a familiar opponent.

Seton Hall returned to South Orange after a 79-54 loss to Creighton on Saturday in Omaha. The Pirates were without leading scorers Isaiah Coleman and Chaunce Jenkins but trailed by just four at halftime.

Boston College transfer Prince Aligbe led with 12 points on an efficient 6-for-8 shooting, while Garwey Dual added 10 points in his 10th start of the year. Despite taking more shots than the Bluejays, the Pirates struggled to contain Big East Preseason Player of the Year Ryan Kalkbrenner, who recorded his 30th career 20-point game with 23 against Seton Hall.

Up in New England, the Friars welcomed Ed Cooley and the Georgetown Hoyas with a 78-68 win over their former head coach. Providence overcame a 12-point first-half deficit to defeat Cooley for the fourth consecutive game since he became Georgetown's head coach.

Five Friars recorded double-digit outings Saturday, with Bensley Joseph and Jayden Pierre each notching 14 points while shooting a combined 50% from the field. Freshman phenom Ryan Mela was quiet against the Hoyas, facing fellow freshman Thomas Sorber, but still contributed with five rebounds and four assists. Chicago State transfer Wesley Cardet Jr. scored his 1,500th career point with a 3-pointer in the second half.

The matchup to watch will be on the perimeter. With the status of Coleman and Jenkins uncertain, Providence will have an advantage on the outside. Dual and freshman Jahseem Felton are strong defenders but will need to step up if the team’s leading scorer continues to miss time.

Another key question is the pace of play. The last time these teams met, it was a run-and-gun shootout, with the Friars prevailing 91-85. It was the only time the Pirates have scored 80 or more points in regulation this season. The Friars rank fourth in the Big East in tempo, according to KenPom, averaging 67.2 possessions per game. If Seton Hall wants to split the season series with Kim English and his team, they must slow the Friars' offense.

Catch all the action at 7 p.m. on 89.5 FM WSOU, the home of Seton Hall basketball. Jackson Shank and Miguel Freire will have the call, and pregame coverage will begin at 6:30, with analysis from Spencer Gonzales and AJ Rayer.

CJ Weipz can be reached at christopher.weipz@student.shu.edu. 

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