A classic Big East rivalry reignites as the Seton Hall Pirates clash with the St. John’s Red Storm at the iconic Madison Square Garden this Saturday. Tip-off is set for 2:15 p.m. Eastern, and fans can catch all the action on CBS, with broadcasting veterans Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, and Jon Rothstein on the call. For those preferring radio, tune into the SHU Pirates Mobile App, SHUPirates.com, or the Varsity Network App for commentary from Gary Cohen and Dave Popkin. Satellite listeners can find the game on SiriusXM channel 392 and SXM App 982. This matchup marks the 115th time these two storied programs have met, with St. John’s holding a 64-50 edge in the all-time series.
Return to the Garden: A Regular Season Showdown
While Seton Hall and St. John’s faced off at MSG last season in the Big East Tournament, this Saturday’s contest is their first regular season meeting at “The World’s Most Famous Arena” since January 22, 2022. In that prior regular season Garden battle, Seton Hall emerged victorious, defeating St. John’s 66-60. The Pirates have historically enjoyed regular season success against the Red Storm at MSG, winning their last three such encounters dating back to the 2019-20 season. St. John’s last swept the regular season series against Seton Hall back in the 2013-14 campaign, highlighting the competitive balance in this rivalry over the past decade.
Series History and Big East Dominance
Despite trailing in the overall all-time series 50-64, Seton Hall boasts a winning record against St. John’s in Big East regular season play, leading 40-37. This reflects Seton Hall’s strong conference history and their ability to rise to the occasion in crucial Big East matchups. Recent history also favors the Pirates, who have won six of the last nine meetings against the Red Storm, indicating a potential shift in momentum in this long-standing rivalry.
Holloway’s Homecoming and Coaching Chess Match
This game carries extra significance for Seton Hall head coach Shaheen Holloway. Located in Queens, New York, St. John’s University is geographically very close to Holloway’s childhood home in South Jamaica. This homecoming narrative adds an emotional layer to an already intense rivalry. Furthermore, the game is a fascinating coaching matchup between Holloway and St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino. Holloway holds a 2-4 record against Pitino in their careers, with meetings spanning their tenures at their current schools and previous stops at Saint Peter’s and Iona. This game presents Holloway with an opportunity to narrow that gap and secure a significant Big East victory.
Overtime Prowess and Key Player Stats
Seton Hall has demonstrated remarkable resilience this season, going undefeated in overtime games with a 3-0 record. Under Coach Holloway, the Pirates have been exceptional in extra periods, as he holds a 10-3 all-time record in overtime contests as a head coach. Keep an eye on Seton Hall’s Dylan Addae-Wusu, who has been a consistent performer in Big East play, averaging 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 11 conference games this season. Addae-Wusu is also a seasoned veteran in the Big East, trailing only Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner for the most career Big East games played among active players, with an impressive 88 games under his belt.
Player Updates and Offensive Firepower
Seton Hall has been navigating the absence of Chaunce Jenkins, who has missed 10 straight games due to a knee injury. Jenkins’ scoring ability has been missed, as the Pirates are 4-2 when he leads them in scoring. However, Isaiah Coleman has stepped up offensively for Seton Hall, posting nine 20-point games this season, including a 23-point performance against Xavier. Coleman is among the top scorers in the Big East during conference play, ranking sixth with a 17.5 points per game average. He also contributes on the boards, ranking 14th in the league with 6.0 rebounds per game. Coleman recently recorded his second career double-double against Georgetown, further solidifying his impact.
Emerging Talent and Defensive Intensity
Freshman center Godswill Erheriene is another player who has been developing for Seton Hall, registering his first career double-double against UConn. Over his last four games, Erheriene is averaging 7.9 points and 6.1 rebounds, showing increased confidence and production. Defensively, Seton Hall has been forcing turnovers at a high rate, achieving 14 or more turnovers in seven of their last 11 games, largely due to their effective diamond full-court press. The Pirates rank third in the Big East and 41st nationally in turnovers forced per game (14.3). They also rank third in the Big East and 80th nationally in turnover margin (+1.8). Seton Hall’s defense has tightened up recently, holding four of their last five opponents under 70 points and improving their KenPom defensive efficiency ranking.
Bench Depth and Rebounding Prowess
Seton Hall’s bench depth is a significant strength, ranking 12th nationally in bench minutes according to KenPom. This allows the Pirates to maintain energy and intensity throughout games. Offensively, Seton Hall excels on the offensive glass, ranking second in the Big East with 11.5 offensive rebounds per game, creating second-chance opportunities and extending possessions.
Conclusion: Anticipating a Thrilling Matchup
This Seton Hall vs. St. John’s game at Madison Square Garden promises to be a captivating Big East battle. With historical context, coaching storylines, key player matchups, and contrasting team strengths, fans can expect a high-energy, competitive game. Tune in to CBS or your preferred radio outlet this Saturday to witness this classic rivalry unfold.
