MBB Travels to LSU for "Challenge"
11/27/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
**2012 SEC/BIG EAST CHALLENGE**
SETON HALL (5-1) at LSU (4-0)
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Pete Maravich Assembly Center
Baton Rouge, La.
9:30 p.m. ET
SCOUTING LSU
LSU enters the 2012 SEC/BIG EAST Challenge having won their first four games of the season, all at home, under new head coach Johnny Jones. The Tigers are coming off an 18-15 season and NIT berth. LSU lost two of its top three scorers and its top rebounder from a year ago, but does return guard Andre Stringer who averaged in double-figures in points last season. Currently, Shavon Coleman leads the Tigers with 17.3 points per game.
TV: ESPNU - Tom Hart & Bob Valvano
RADIO: WMTR 1250 AM - Gary Cohen & Dave Popkin
WSOU 89.5 FM - Chris Paizis & Brendan Borthwick
VIDEO STREAM: Watch ESPN - Tom Hart & Bob Valvano - CLICK HERE
AUDIO STREAM: Pirate Sports Network - Gary Cohen & Dave Popkin
BIG HALF DOOMS PEACOCKS
Seton Hall shot 68% from the field in the second half to turn a one-point halftime deficit into a 15-point victory over Saint Peter's on Nov. 25. Seton Hall out-rebounded, 34-to-24, and out-shot, 50.9%-to-44.2%, the Peacocks, and led by as many as 20 points. It was the 17th consecutive victory for the Pirates in this series with Saint Peter's.
HONOR ROLL FOR EDWIN
Junior Fuquan Edwin was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Nov. 26. The 6-foot-6 swingman averaged 20 points, five rebounds and four steals in a pair of Seton Hall victories. Edwin erupted for a game-high 25 points in the Pirates' victory over Saint Peter's on Nov. 25.
SEEING 20/20
Juniors Fuquan Edwin (25) and Eugene Teague (20) both scored at least 20 points in Seton Hall's victory over Saint Peter's. It's the first time two Pirates have scored at least 20 points in one game since Jordan Theodore and Herb Pope did so vs. Stony Brook in last season's NIT.
PIRATES OFFER "TICKET TO READING REWARDS"
A pair of Pirates, Patrik Auda and Kyle Smyth participated in the NABC Foundation's "Ticket To Reading Rewards" program, a reading incentive program that encourages Middle School students to read books outside the classroom and obtain rewards for reading. Over the life of the program, students have read an estimated 4,000,000 books, obtained nearly 1,000,000 rewards and attended 125,000 local men's and women's NCAA basketball games--all at no cost to schools or students. Auda and Smyth visited Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Lodi, N.J.
BIG EAST / SEC CHALLENGE
The Pirates will travel to LSU as part of the 2012 field for the SEC/BIG EAST Challenge on Thursday, Nov. 29. It will be the third straight season that Seton Hall has taken part of the event and the first time that it has traveled to Baton Rouge, La. Last season, SHU dismantled a previously unbeaten Auburn Tigers squad, 81-59, at the Prudential Center for its first-ever win in the challenge. In 2010, Seton Hall's only other previous appearance in the challenge, the Pirates dropped a 71-62 decision to Arkansas at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky. The BIG EAST holds a 16-12 all-time advantage in the event and doubled-up their Southeastern conference foes in 2011, taking the challenge eight games to four.
PIRATES vs. LSU
This will be the first-ever meeting between Seton Hall and LSU. The Pirates and Tigers were both part of last season's Charleston Classic, but did not meet in the eight-team tournament.
PIRATES vs. THE SEC
This will only be the 19th time ever that Seton Hall has faced one of the current teams from the Southeastern Conference. The Pirates are 9-9 in 18 prior games. Last year, Seton Hall throttled Auburn, 78-59, as part of the BIG EAST/SEC Challenge at the Prudential Center.
BEAST OF THE BOARDS
Junior Eugene Teague reached double-figures in rebounding against Saint Peter's for the third time in six games this season. Currently, the hulking center ranks third in the BIG EAST with 8.8 rebounds per game.
PIRATES TAME BLACK BEARS
Seton Hall shot better than 57% from the field in the second half as it defeated Maine, 76-49, on Nov. 21. After a slow first half, the Pirate offense exploded in the second frame, while their defense held an opponent to under 60 points for the third time in five games. Three Pirates scored in double-figures, Aaron Cosby, Fuquan Edwin and Brian Oliver.
OLD FORM RETURNS
Against Maine, Aaron Cosby displayed the same scoring ability he showed regularly last season prior to his knee injury. The sophomore matched his career-high with 19 points off the bench to lead Seton Hall. He was 4-for-9 from three-point range, grabbed three rebounds, dished out two assists and recorded two steals.
FORCING TURNOVERS
Seton Hall forced a season-high 27 turnovers vs. Maine on Nov. 21. It's the most the Pirates have forced in the Kevin Willard era and the most since forcing 33 in an overtime victory against James Madison on Dec. 22, 2007.
AUDA INJURED
Just over two minutes into the second half vs. Maine on Nov. 21, junior Patrik Auda injured his right foot and did not return. The Czech Republic native will likely miss significant time while his foot mends. Auda scored eight points in 14 minutes vs. Maine prior to the injury.
JOHNSON'S BREAKOUT
One of the Pirates that may see increased minutes in Auda's absence is freshman Kevin Johnson. The backup center saw three minutes of action vs. Maine and was effective with five points, two blocks and a steal in only his second collegiate game.
PIRATES RALLY TO DEFEAT URI
Seton Hall overcame a 13-point deficit to defeat Rhode Island, 60-55, in the consolation game of the Naismith Bracket of the 2012 Hall of Fame Tip-Off at the Mohegan Sun. The Pirates ended the game on a 16-3 run and took their first lead of the game with just 36 seconds remaining. This concludes the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. Seton Hall went 3-1 in the event.
MEAN GENE
Junior Eugene Teague scored a career-high 21 points to go with a team-high nine points in Seton Hall's victory over Rhode Island. The hulking center was 7-for-11 from the field and 7-for-9 from the free-throw line.
IN THE CLUTCH
Looking more like a veteran than a freshman, Tom Maayan came through for the Pirates in the final minute vs. Rhode Island. With Seton Hall clinging to a one-point lead and just 18 seconds left, Maayan stole the ball and was fouled. He calmly knocked down both free throws to put the Pirates up three.
ALL-TOURNEY EDWIN
Junior Fuquan Edwin was named to the 2012 Hall of Fame Tip-Off All-Tournament Team for the Naismith Bracket. Edwin averaged 19.5 points and six rebounds per game during the two games at the Mohegan Sun.
COMEBACK KIDS
On back-to-back nights, Seton Hall rallied from double-digit deficits. The Pirates trailed by 18 points in the second half vs. Washington and rallied to force overtime before eventually falling. The next night, the Seton Hall found itself down by as many as 13 points, and rallied, but this time defeated Rhode Island by five.
PIRATES FALL TO WASHINGTON
Seton Hall rallied from an 18-point, second half deficit to take a six point lead late in regulation, but ultimately fell in overtime to Washington, 84-73. The Pirates trailed, 51-33, with 19:26 left, but went on a 23-5 run to draw even at 56. Washington scored the first eight points of the overtime period however, and went on to the victory.
FANTASTIC FUQUAN
Junior Fuquan Edwin scored a game-high 27 points to go with eight rebounds, three assists and three steals vs. Washington. He missed matching his career-high by just one point. Eighteen of his 27 points was scored in the second half, at one point scoring eight straight points for Seton Hall during its run.
DEFENSE DOWNS NORFOLK STATE
Seton Hall opened its sixth season at the Prudential Center in impressive style, handing the efending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions Norfolk State a 78-65 defeat. The Pirates have now won all six openers at "The Rock" since moving to the building in 2007-08. SHU also improved to 2-0 against NSU and 12-0 all-time against current members of the MEAC. Fuquan Edwin led all scorers with 23 points to go with 10 rebounds and six steals.
SEEING DOUBLE
In Seton Hall's victory over Norfolk State, both Fuquan Edwin and Eugene Teague recorded double-doubles. Edwin tallied 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Teague had 16 points and 11 rebounds. It's the first time since Seton Hall has had two players accomplish the feat in a single-game since Herb Pope and Patrik Auda did so on Feb. 14, 2012 vs. St. John's.
BOARDING TRIO
Against Norfolk State, three Pirates recorded at least 10 rebounds, Eugene Teague (11), Fuquan Edwin (10) and Brandon Mobley (10). It's the first time that three Pirates reached double-figures in rebounding in the same game since Adrian Griffin (11), Bayonne Taty (11) and Donnell Williams (12) did so at Rutgers on Feb. 7, 1996.
PERFECT PERFORMANCE
Graduate transfer Kyle Smyth introduced himself in perfect style to the Prudential Center crowd vs. Norfolk State. The River Edge, NJ native scored 14 points off the bench and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and three-point range and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line. Smyth also grabbed four rebounds and dished out a pair of assists.
STEAL KING RETURNS
Fuquan Edwin, the reigning national champion in steals per game, was up to his old tricks vs. Norfolk State. The junior tallied a game-high six steals. It marks the eighth time in his career that he has recorded at least five steals in a single-game.
PIRATES DOWN UMKC IN OPENER
Seton Hall used a stifling defense to limit UMKC to just 36 points as the Pirates opened the 2012-13 season with a 75-36 victory in the first game of the 2012 Hall of Fame Tip-Off in Walsh Gym. The Pirates smothering defense limited the 'Roos to just 31.3% shooting from the floor for the game and 14 second half points. No UMKC player scored in double-figures.
MARVELOUS MOBLEY
Sophomore Brendan Mobley notched his first career double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds vs. UMKC. With the graduation of Jordan Theodore and Herb Pope, he becomes only the third active player who has achieved a double-double in his career. Both Fuquan Edwin and Patrik Auda have one.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Freshman Tom Maayan, playing in his first regular season collegiate game, tallied game-highs of six assists and five steals in Seton Hall's victory over UMKC. The Israel native led the Pirates with 28 minutes.
HISTORIC DEFENSE
UMKC's 36 points are the fewest scored by a Seton Hall opponent since Bill Raftery's Pirates allowed only 31 points to Saint Peter's on Dec. 30, 1980. It's the fewest points allowed in a season-opener since giving up 31 points at Siena to begin the 1947-48 season.
TRANSFERS SHINE
Playing in their first game in a Seton Hall uniform, transfers Brian Oliver (Georgia Tech), Eugene Teague (Southern Illinois) and Kyle Smyth (Iona) all had a major impact vs. UMKC. Oliver had 13 points, Teague added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Smyth was effective all over the court, including backup point guard.
PIRATES DOWN WILMINGTON IN EXHIBITION
Seton Hall pounded Wilmington, 113-72, in its lone pre-season exhibition game. The Pirates had planned on facing FDU-Florham, but that game was cancelled due to the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The 41-point spread is the second-largest margin of victory in the last 18 exhibition games for SHU dating back to the 1999-00 season. Six players scored in double-figures including newcomers Brian Oliver, Eugene Teague and Kyle Smyth. Brandon Mobley led the team with 20 points off the bench.
AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
With a victory over Maine, Seton Hall improved to 3-0 at the Prudential Center this season. The Pirates completed the 2011-12 season with an impressive record of 13-3 at the Prudential Center, their best mark since coming to the building prior to the 2007-08 season. All-time, Seton Hall is 58-27 in the building. Furthermore, Seton Hall is 24-21 all-time at Prudential Center against BIG EAST opponents.
NOVEMBER REIGN
With a victory over Saint Peter's, the Pirates continued their dominance in the month of November. This season, Seton Hall is 5-1 in November. The Pirates are now 33-7 in the month of November over the last six plus seasons.
COLLECTING CANARIAS
Freshman Tom Maayan is the fourth current player on the Seton Hall men's basketball roster from the Canarias Basketball Academy (CBA) in the Canary Islands. Maayan re-joins former teammates Patrik Auda, Aaron Geramipoor and Haralds Karlis who are also CBA alumni. The four represent a heavy international flavor on the Pirates this year. Maayan is from Galil, Israel. Karlis is originally from Riga, Latvia. Auda is from Brno, Czech Republic and Geramipoor is from Manchester, England.
YOUTH IS SERVED
The Pirates enter the 2012-13 season without a single traditional senior on their roster. Seton Hall will look to its trio of juniors, Fuquan Edwin, Patrik Auda and Aaron Geramipoor for veteran leadership. Brian Oliver and Gene Teague, who both sat out last season due to NCAA transfer regulations, also have two years of collegiate experience under their belts. Kyle Smyth, a graduate transfer from Iona, will play right away for Seton Hall in his final year of eligibility.
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
The Pirates will play 13 non-conference games with seven home dates at the Prudential Center and one at Walsh Gym. The Pirates will open the 2012 regular season with the University of Missouri at Kansas City on Friday, Nov. 9, in Walsh Gym. It will mark the first regular season game held at Walsh since defeating Norfolk State, 97-87, on Dec. 4, 2000. Additional home games include Norfolk State on Nov. 12, Maine on Nov. 21, Saint Peter's on Nov. 25, NJIT on Dec. 4, North Carolina A&T on Dec. 15, Longwood on Dec. 19 and Stony Brook on Dec. 28. Seton Hall will take to the road on Nov. 29 at LSU as part of the 2012 SEC/BIG EAST Challenge. Additional road contests include Wake Forest on Dec. 8 and Long Island University on Dec. 22 at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Neutral games include Washington and either Ohio State or Rhode Island at Mohegan Sun Arena on November 17 and 18 respectively.
NEW RADIO PARTNERSHIP
Seton Hall athletics announced on Thursday a new radio partnership for the 2012-13 men's basketball season with WMTR-AM 1250 Radio. Additionally, for the 10th consecutive year, play-by-play voice Gary Cohen and color analyst Dave Popkin will team up to call all of the Pirate action. Each of Seton Hall's 31 regular season games will be heard on WMTR-AM 1250.
BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME TIP-OFF
Seton Hall participated in the 2012 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. The Pirates faced the University of Missouri-Kansas City to open the season at Walsh Gym and Norfolk State at the Prudential Center before playing the tournament's final two games at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. At the Mohegan Sun, Seton Hall lost a hard-fought overtime contest to Washington on Nov. 17, but bounced back to defeat Rhode Island in the event's consolation game, Nov. 18.
NEW FACES
After sitting out the 2011-12 academic year due to NCAA transfer regulations, Georgia Tech transfer Brian Oliver and Southern Illinois transfer Eugene Teague will suit up for the Pirates this fall. Seton Hall also added a trio of new guards, Sterling Gibbs, Tom Maayan and Kyle Smyth. Maayan is the fourth former member of the Canarias Basketball Academy to join Seton Hall's roster. Smyth graduated after four years on the basketball team at Iona, and transferred to Seton Hall for his fifth and final year of eligibility. He was red-shirted in 2008-09. Gibbs, a transfer from Texas, is the all-time leading scorer at Seton Hall Prep, but will have to sit out the 2012-13 season due to NCAA transfer regulations.
