Pirates Celebrate Seniors, Battle Butler Saturday

2017-18 BIG EAST Game Seton Hall Pirates (20-10, 9-8 BIG EAST) vs. Butler Bulldogs (19-11, 9-8 BIG EAST)
Date/Time/Location	Saturday, March 3 \| 8 p.m. \| Prudential Center (Newark, N.J.)
Tickets	Ticketmaster.com \| Prudential Center Box Office
Television Broadcast	CBS Sports Network
Radio Broadcast	AM970 The Answer \| Sirius 108 \| XM 201 \| Pirate Sports Network
Game Notes	Seton Hall \| Butler
Links	Live Stats \| Twitter \| Facebook \| Instagram
Promotions	First 5,000 fans receive a SHU Seniors rally towel All students receive a SHU Seniors t-shirt and free chicken fingers & fries in the Goal Bar and can sign up for contests worth $10,000 and $100,000 Senior Ceremony (Fans should be in their seats by 7:30 p.m.)
Travel Advisory	Gateway Overpass at Newark Penn Station is closed on Saturday. Visit NJ Transit advisory for more information.
Sell Out Senior Day	SHUSeniorDay.com

Seton Hall vs. Butler will be the final BIG EAST regular season game of the season.

And that means that by tip-off time, we will know exactly where both teams stand for BIG EAST Tournament seedings. As of now, it's pretty complicated, but here's what we know: both teams want to win. The Hall wants to send its seniors off with a win in their final home game and earn a first-round by in the tournament. Butler wants to avoid going into the tournament losing five of its last seven.

Speaking of the seniors, the fans will be saying goodbye to 82 wins, over 5,000 points, nearly 3,000 rebounds and a whole lot of memories Saturday. Congratulations to Khadeen Carrington, Angel Delgado, Desi Rodriguez and Ismael Sanogo for all their hard work and success over four years.

Saturday's game will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network with Rich Waltz and Jordan Cornette talking on your television set. The dynamic duo of Gary Cohen and Dave Popkin will anchor the radio broadcast on AM970 The Answer, simulcast on Sirius 108, XM 201 and the Pirate Sports Network.

"The downs taught me a lot. It made me become a man." Some pre-Senior Night introspection from Khadeen Carrington, Seton Hall's finest ambassador and (arguably) most important player: https://t.co/68I8tbYms4 via @AsburyParkPress
— Jerry Carino (@NJHoopsHaven) March 2, 2018

We've had four years of great laughs with Deeno, Desi, Angel & Ish. ??????
Tomorrow night they've got one final @PruCenter performance. Don't miss it!
TIX: https://t.co/Sn8yENHUhr #HALLin pic.twitter.com/lXOAejqZB2
— SHUSeniorDay.com (@SetonHallMBB) March 2, 2018

#BIGEASThoops Title ?
2 @MarchMadness Berths ?
5,000+ Points ?
2,800+ Rebounds ?

The @SetonHallMBB seniors have already achieved historic success. They reflect on their time as Pirates: pic.twitter.com/zfN46aCQE5
— #BIGEASThoops (@BIGEASTMBB) March 1, 2018

THINGS TO KNOW

Seton Hall hosts Butler Saturday night for a critical BIG EAST matchup at Prudential Center in the final regular season game for both teams. Prior to tip, Seton Hall will honor its four seniors: Khadeen Carrington, Angel Delgado, Ismael Sanogo and Desi Rodriguez. Fans are asked to be in their seats by 7:30 p.m.
The Pirates are looking to shake off a 69-68 overtime loss to No. 4 Villanova on Wednesday night in front of 13,711 at The Rock. Carrington scored 23 points, issued seven rebounds and grabbed seven rebounds, as the Pirates fell in a classic BIG EAST game in which neither team shot 40 percent. It was a defensive battle but Villanova found its shooting stroke in overtime, canning back-to-back three-pointers to take an insurmountable five-point lead midway through the period.
Carrington is the BIG EAST Player of the Week and Met Writers Player of the Week after averaging 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and shooting 14-of-15 from the free-throw line last week at Providence and St. John's. He has three consecutive 20-point games, and in those games is averaging 23.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 40.7 minutes, while shooting 92.0 percent from the free throw line (23-for-25). In seven career games against Butler, Deeno is averaging 16.3 points.
The Pirates and Bulldogs meet for the 11th time in the all-time series. Butler holds a 7-3 lead, and has had SHU's number in Newark, going 4-0. However, the Pirates have won the previous two meetings,both at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
On Jan. 6, Seton Hall overcame a double-digit, second-half deficit to stun Butler on its home court, on the strength of 29 points from Carrington and a career-high 28 points from Delgado. Carrington made a critical layup to take an 84-82 lead with 1:08 to play, and Myles Powell made four free throws down the stretch to secure the win. Delgado, who had 18 of his 28 points in the first half alone, also grabbed 15 rebounds and issued six assists. Carrington also registered six assists and made a career-high seven three-pointers.
The Pirates are 13-3 at The Rock this season, and has won 15 of the last 18 home games overall. SHU has won 14 of the last 19 BIG EAST games in Newark.
Seton Hall's senior class has totaled over 5,000 points, nearly 3,000 rebounds and over 13,000 minutes over the last four seasons. It has delivered a BIG EAST Tournament Championship and two NCAA Tournament berths to date.
This is the first time since 2013 and only the fourth time in 11 years that Seton Hall will conclude the regular season with a home game.

The Scenario

With only one game remaining in the BIG EAST regular season, the Pirates are looking to finish strong and end up with a high seed for next week's conference tournament. They can finish as high as third and as low as seventh.

At 9-8, the Pirates sit in a three-way tie for fourth place with Butler and Providence.

Seton Hall has clinched at least a .500 BIG EAST record for the third consecutive year. The program has accomplished this feat only one other time since the start of the conference: 1991-93.

Here is an unofficial look at what conference tournament seed the Pirates can get:

3 Seed: Seton Hall Win + Marquette Win + Providence Win
4 Seed: Seton Hall Win + Creighton Win OR Seton Hall Win + Marquette Win + St. John's Win
5 Seed: Seton Hall Loss + Creighton Win + St. John's Win
6 Seed: Seton Hall Loss + Marquette Win + St. John's Win OR Seton Hall loss + Creighton Win + Providence Win
7 Seed: Seton Hall Loss + Marquette Win + Providence Win

Terrific Twenties

With its win at St. John's, Seton Hall won its 20th game of the season, the third straight year it has reached 20 and the fourth time under head coach Kevin Willard. Only twice before in program history has Seton Hall had three consecutive 20-win seasons: 1951-53 under head coach Honey Russell and 1991-93 under head coach P.J. Carlesimo.

Willard's four 20-win seasons are the third-most in Seton Hall history behind P.J. Carlesimo and Honey Russell, who each have five.

In the Polls

The Pirates head into Saturday receiving votes in the Associated Press Top-25 and USA Today Coaches Poll.

It is the sixth time this season the Pirates have not been ranked in either poll.

Earlier this season Seton Hall was No. 13 in the rankings, the highest since Jan. 2, 2001.

Seton Hall has been in the weekly national rankings 111 times in program history, and 11 times this season.

Building a Resume

The Pirates have notched several key wins that will loom large on Selection Sunday, including 11 victories over 9 teams currently in the KenPom Top-100:

Indiana - 76 (W, 84-68)

Vanderbilt - 91 (W, 72-59)

Texas Tech - 10 (W, 89-79)

Louisville - 34 (W, 79-77)

Creighton - 27 (W, 90-84)

St. John's - 73 (W, 75-70 / W, 81-74 OT)

Butler - 25 (W, 90-87)

Georgetown - 96 (W, 74-61)

Providence - 72 (W, 73-57 / W, 89-77)

Special Senior Class

This year's senior class of Khadeen Carrington, Angel Delgado, Ismael Sanogo and Desi Rodriguez is being honored today in the final home game of their career.

The four have had a truly special four years that includes a pair of NCAA Tournament berths and the third BIG EAST Tournament Championship in program history.

They have combined to score over 5,000 points and pull down nearly 3,000 rebounds in over 13,000 minutes of court time throughout the last four seasons.

Home is Whenever I'm at Pru

Seton Hall is very difficult to beat at Prudential Center. It is 13-3 this season, and has won 15 of the last 18 home games overall. Furthermore, the Pirates have won 14 of their last 19 BIG EAST games and seven of the last nine at The Rock.

We Go As He Goes

Seton Hall is 36-14 all-time and 9-1 this season when Carrington connects on two or more three-pointers.

Finish Strong

The Pirates pride themselves on defense, and have proven the ability to hold off late pushes by the opposition.

In fact, Seton Hall is 62-6 in its last 68 games (dating back to the start of the 2015-16 season) when holding a lead of seven or more at any point in the contest.

Shooters Shoot

The Pirates have shot 50.0 percent or better in nine games and 40.0 percent or better in 28 of 30 games this season.

Trio of Veteran Scorers

Between Rodriguez, Carrington and Delgado, the Pirates have an incredible trio of experienced scorers - the three have a combined 4,895 career points.

All three are Top-20 all-time scorers in the history of the program, with Carrington leading the trio (10th), followed by Rodriguez (14th) and Delgado (18th).

No other class in program history has more than one player on the Top-20 all-time scoring list.

Road Kill

Carrington played a critical role in securing a pair of invaluable BIG EAST road wins last week at Providence and St. John's. He averaged 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and shot 51.7 percent from the field and 14-for-15 (93.3 percent) from the free throw line.

at Providence - 25 pts, 8-of-13 FG, 8-of-8 FT

at St. John's - 22 pts, 7-of-16 FG, 6-of-7 FT, 6 reb, 4 ast

He was named the Met Writers Player of the Week and the BIG EAST Player of the Week for the second time in his career; he also received the honors on Feb. 20, 2017. It is the second time this year that a Pirate has won the league's top weekly award (Desi Rodriguez, Dec. 4, 2017).

Over Carrington's last three games, he is averaging over 40 minutes (40.7) because of the overtime game against Villanova. He is also averaging 23.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists with shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 92.0 percent from the free throw line.

In seven career games against Butler, Deeno is averaging 16.3 points and is 27-for-30 (90.0 percent) from the charity stripe.

Dependable Desi

Desi Rodriguez has been the most consistent offensive contributor and elite all season.

He is averaging a team-best 18.1 points per game, good for eighth in the BIG EAST. He is shooting 50.4 percent (191-for-379) from the field and 38.0 percent (52-for-137) from long range.

The Pirates are 11-3 this season when Rodriguez is the team's leading scorer, and 35-14 all-time when he scores at least 15 points.

In seven career games against Butler, he is averaging 13.7 points and 4.9 rebounds.

A New King

Angel Delgado had already cemented his name in the BIG EAST record book entering the season. But at DePaul on Jan. 28, with his second rebound, BIG EAST career rebound No. 702, he broke Syracuse's Derrick Coleman's (1986-90) all-time BIG EAST career rebound record that had stood for 28 years.

The big man is also second on the BIG EAST's all-time rebounding average list (11.52) behind only Michael Smith (Providence, 1991-94, 11.66 rpg).

In seven career games against Butler, Delgado is averaging 13.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 56.7 percent (38-for-67) from the field.

Getting to the Line is Key

The Pirates are 31-5 over the last 36 games and 16-3 this season with they have more free-throw attempts than their opponent.

Rebounding on Both Ends

Delgado's ability to rebound on both ends of the floor has earned him national attention.

He was named a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, as well as the Senior CLASS Award.

Delgado's 3.9 offensive boards per game so far this season is good for sixth in the country. Overall, Delgado's 11.7 rebounds per game are also fourth-best in the nation.

Against Vanderbilt earlier this season, Delgado was held without an offensive rebound, snapping a streak of 71 games with one or more offensive boards.

He has grabbed one or more offensive rebounds in 125 of 128 career games and 95 of the last 96.

Delgado leads the BIG EAST in offensive, defensive, and total rebounding.

Owning the Glass

It helps to have the best rebounder in the country, but rebounding is truly a team effort, and the Pirates have proven the ability to dominate.

The Pirates have had a positive margin in 26 of the last 35 games dating back to last season.

The Pirates score an average of 36.9 points in the paint and allow just 30.2 per game.

Sharing is Caring

A total of five different Pirates have recorded five assists or more in a single game this season (Carrington, Delgado, Powell, Rodriguez, Walker).

The Pirates have won 20 of 26 games when they register a positive assist-to-turnover ratio and 25 of the last 32.

Seton Hall has finished with an even or positive assist-to-turnover ratio in 24 of 30 games.

Pirates Can Fill It Up

Seton Hall has shown the ability to score in chunks and put together stretches of efficient and dangerous offense.

So far this season, the Pirates have scored 80 or more points 16 times, the most in a season since the 2009-10 squad had 17.

Seton Hall is 13-3 this season when scoring 80 or more points.

Double-Double Machine

Angel Delgado is 20th on the NCAA all-time leaderboard for career double-doubles (70).

With his 69th career double-dip, against Providence, he passed some big names - Larry Bird (Indiana State), David West (Xavier) and Paul Millsap (Louisiana Tech).

Tom Gola, La Salle - 96

Tim Duncan, Wake Forest - 87

Kenneth Faried, Morehead State - 86

Ralph Sampson, Virginia - 84

Derrick Coleman, Syracuse - 83

Lionel Simmons, La Salle - 83

Malik Rose, Drexel - 80

Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati - 79

Michael Brooks, La Salle - 79

Jerry Lucas, Ohio State - 78

Mel Counts, Oregon State - 78

Lew Alcindor, UCLA - 78

Shawn Long, Louisiana-Lafayette - 75

Keith Lee, Memphis - 74

David Robinson, Navy - 74

Don May, Dayton - 72

Bill Walton, UCLA - 72

Paul Silas, Creighton - 71

Gary Winton, Army - 71

Angel Delgado, Seton Hall - 70

Filling the Box Score

Ismael Sanogo is one of the most well-rounded players in the BIG EAST, and although not all of his skills are reflected in the statistics, he does an outstanding job of checking the boxes.

He has had seven games this season with at least one point, rebound, block, assist and steal.

Second-Half Heroics

The Pirates have scored 50 or more points in the final frame on five occasions this season and are 4-1 in said games.

Some Wine With That?

Myles Powell, AKA "Cheese", has had a tremendous sophomore campaign, and is shooting 39.0 percent (85-of-218) from three-point range.

He scored a career-high 30 points against Xavier on Feb. 14 on 10-of-20 shooting from the floor.

Against Georgetown on Jan. 13, Cheese filled the box score with a game-high 19 points, five rebounds, and a career-high six steals.

Cheese has scored in double-figures in 27 of 30 games this year.

He is already 12th all-time in school history with 153 career three-point field goals.

His 85 made three-pointers so far are tied for the seventh-most in a single season in program history (Brian Oliver, 2013-14).

A Place in History

Angel Delgado has made his way into the NCAA Division I record book for career rebounds. Since the NCAA's creation of the Division I, II & III model in 1973, he has the 10th-most career boards (1,404). Only nine others have Amassed 1,400 or more rebounds since 1973.

Kenneth Faried, Morehead State ('11) - 1,673

Tim Duncan, Wake Forest ('97) - 1,570

Derrick Coleman, Syracuse ('90) - 1,537

Malik Rose, Drexel ('96) - 1,514

Ralph Sampson, Virginia ('83) - 1,511

Pete Padgett, Nevada ('76) - 1,464

Shawn Long, UL Lafayette ('16) - 1,447

Lionel Simmons, La Salle ('90) - 1,429

Anthony Bonner, Saint Louis ('90) - 1,424

Angel Delgado, Seton Hall (present) - 1,404