1) The Hall was once seemingly a top East coast squad and has seen some luster lost. What happened?
I'm not sure Seton Hall has lost its luster as one of the better programs on the east coast, to be completely honest with you. This year's team has fallen short of expectations, but five (six if you count last season's team) straight NCAA Tournament appearances (albeit only one win in those five appearances) speaks for itself. In terms of local rivals, one superior season to Seton Hall doesn't place Rutgers at the top of the pecking order and St. John's is still working its way back under Mike Anderson.
Seton Hall might not be a perennial top 15 team like it was last season, but I still think it's one of the better programs on the east coast. Its potential is just capped.
2) Has Rhoden met expectations? Is this a breakout year for him?
He's met expectations and has taken a leap in his development, but he hasn't been consistent enough to call it a breakout year in my eyes. Rhoden has the tendency to appear at times - especially in the second half - and gets stuck ball watching a ton offensively. His defense, which is supposed to be his calling card, has also been spotty at times in the second half of the season.
Where Rhoden has really been able to stand out is with his tenacity. He's probably the toughest player Seton Hall has on its roster right now and the importance of that is not lost on Kevin Willard.
3) Has anyone become the knock down shooter SH needed?
Not really. If anyone it's Shavar Reynolds in terms of pure spot-up shooting, but even he isn't someone Seton Hall can rely on to make a big shot for all 40 minutes. The bottom line is there's no Myles Powell on this team. There's no Khadeen Carrington or Desi Rodriguez, either. There's no true go-to shooter, but guys have stepped up and hit shots when needed throughout the year. Myles Cale, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Rhoden have had their fair share of key makes.
4) Can The Hall get their mojo againand be a key team in postseason play?
I think Seton Hall got a little bit of its mojo back in its Big East Tournament opener. That was the kind of grind-it-out win that Seton Hall prides itself on and the toughness the Pirates displayed in that game are the staple of any Willard-coached team. That kind of edge was lacking throughout Seton Hall's four-game winning streak.
I'm not sure Seton Hall has lost its luster as one of the better programs on the east coast, to be completely honest with you. This year's team has fallen short of expectations, but five (six if you count last season's team) straight NCAA Tournament appearances (albeit only one win in those five appearances) speaks for itself. In terms of local rivals, one superior season to Seton Hall doesn't place Rutgers at the top of the pecking order and St. John's is still working its way back under Mike Anderson.
Seton Hall might not be a perennial top 15 team like it was last season, but I still think it's one of the better programs on the east coast. Its potential is just capped.
2) Has Rhoden met expectations? Is this a breakout year for him?
He's met expectations and has taken a leap in his development, but he hasn't been consistent enough to call it a breakout year in my eyes. Rhoden has the tendency to appear at times - especially in the second half - and gets stuck ball watching a ton offensively. His defense, which is supposed to be his calling card, has also been spotty at times in the second half of the season.
Where Rhoden has really been able to stand out is with his tenacity. He's probably the toughest player Seton Hall has on its roster right now and the importance of that is not lost on Kevin Willard.
3) Has anyone become the knock down shooter SH needed?
Not really. If anyone it's Shavar Reynolds in terms of pure spot-up shooting, but even he isn't someone Seton Hall can rely on to make a big shot for all 40 minutes. The bottom line is there's no Myles Powell on this team. There's no Khadeen Carrington or Desi Rodriguez, either. There's no true go-to shooter, but guys have stepped up and hit shots when needed throughout the year. Myles Cale, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Rhoden have had their fair share of key makes.
4) Can The Hall get their mojo againand be a key team in postseason play?
I think Seton Hall got a little bit of its mojo back in its Big East Tournament opener. That was the kind of grind-it-out win that Seton Hall prides itself on and the toughness the Pirates displayed in that game are the staple of any Willard-coached team. That kind of edge was lacking throughout Seton Hall's four-game winning streak.
