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After Long Break, Seton Hall Awaits

Angel Delgado

Providence and Seton Hall are currently tied for fourth in the Big East with matching 5-3 conference records. The two meet in Newark on Wednesday night in the middle of the Friars’ toughest string of road games of the season.

Like PC, the Hall features a senior-laden roster, led by Angel Delgado, who recently broke Derrick Coleman’s Big East rebounding record.

The record was previously held by Syracuse great Derrick Coleman.

Sophomore big man Kalif Young has begun to emerge for Providence over the past month, specifically as a rim protector and rebounder. He had eight rebounds in just 19 minutes in Providence’s 89-69 loss to Villanova. Delgado will be an enormous test for Young and freshman center Nate Watson.

Speaking of sophomores, second year man Myles Powell has emerged this year for Kevin Willard’s club. The 6’2 New Jersey native is second on the team in scoring (over 14 ppg), while shooting at a terrific clip (47/81/41).

In Powell, Delgado, and seniors Desi Rodriguez (17.4) and Kadeem Carrington (13.8), Seton Hall has four players averaging over 13 points per game.

They also have Ed Cooley’s respect. Cooley was the only Big East coach that didn’t pick Villanova to win the league in October. He went with the veteran Pirates.

That certainly looked like a solid pick through ten games. The Hall started 9-1, with their only loss coming by a point to URI in Brooklyn. That stretch included wins over Louisville, Texas Tech, Indiana, VCU, and Vanderbilt.

After a 15-3 start, the Pirates lost consecutive games against Creighton and Xavier before bouncing back this past Sunday against DePaul to up their record to 16-5.

Providence and Seton Hall split the season series a year ago, with both games coming down to the wire. Kyron Cartwright hit a big shot in the final minute in a PC win at the Dunkin Donuts Center, while Powell came through late for the Hall in an overtime victory.

Two years ago, the Hall swept the season series, despite an explosion in Newark by Ben Bentil (31 points before being ejected).

The year prior, Providence swept the season series, putting on a second half show on the road. That night will be most remembered for LaDontae Henton scoring his 2,000th point in a Friar uniform.

For good measure, here is a flashback to the 2014 Big East Semifinals when Henton had a double double to lead Providence to the championship.

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