NEWARK, N.J. – Seton Hall moved to 4-1 in Big East play with a 94-73 decision over DePaul at the Prudential Center on Tuesday. The 24th ranked Pirates improved to 15-2 overall, while DePaul is now 10-6 (1-3). In a quick-paced 78 possession contest, Seton Hall enjoyed a decisive 121-94 advantage in offensive efficiency. Our points of emphasis from this Big East meeting:
- Winning three of the Four Factors does not guarantee a victory. Dean Oliver’s Four Factors tell us a great deal of why teams win or lose. Having the advantage in them is desirable but, as noted, getting three of four does not always mean a W in the ledger. The example:
| efg Pct | FT Rate | OREB Pct | TO Rate | |
| DePaul | 38 | 33 | 35 | 19 |
| Seton Hall | 68 | 14 | 27 | 21 |
The Blue Demons had slight advantages in free throw rate, Offensive rebounding percentage and turnover rate. They were though, badly beaten in the main objective of Dr. Naismith’s game. They did not put the ball in the basket as often or as proficient as Seton Hall. DePaul was 23 of 67 (5 of 20 from three) from the field. The Pirates were 37 of 63, including 11 of 21 (52%) from beyond the arc. That was a difference DePaul found too much to overcome.
- The Hall has multiple choices. Fuquan Edwin followed up his 24-point performance at Providence with a game-high 28 points. Edwin had 24 at the half. The second half Aaron Cosby heated up, shooting three for five from deep and scoring 14 of his 15 points. Herb Pope had another solid 11-point, 13-board night and Jordan Theodore had another outstanding 26-point, 11-assist effort. Edwin’s emergence of late as a scorer and added offensive option couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.
- DePaul is in the middle of a tough stretch. The game at Seton Hall was the second of three straight on the road. The Blue Demons will visit Louisville on Saturday. Still, after the Hall contest they stand at 1-3 in the Big East and 10-6 overall.
- What DePaul did well. Compete and get to the line. Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard was impressed with their constant full court pressure and the fact they kept working. The Blue Demons whittled the halftime deficit to a three-possession game midway through the second half before the Hall went on a game-clinching run. DePaul was able to draw fouls and made the most of their chances, shooting 22 of 25 from the line. Those 22 makes led to their impressive 33% free throw rate (FTM/FGA). DePaul does have some young talent for Oliver Purnell to build with. Notable in that group is sophomore guard Brandon Young, who led the Blue Demons with 16 points. Cleveland Melvin, another sophomore, at forward, is an 18-points-per-game scorer. Cleveland did add 14 points but was held to 4 of 13 from the floor.
- The Hall is not resting on laurels. That was a mantra repeated in post-game comments by players and the Seton Hall coaching staff. They have a ranking but are not resting on laurels. Chalk a lot of that up to chemistry. “We have a lot of freshmen and sophomores and it is easy to maintain their attention,” Willard said. “We also have two seniors (Theodore and Pope) who not only want to make their last season special and want to further their careers.” Translated, everyone is on the same page, focused and working hard.
- Earlier in the afternoon/evening it was officiating at Hudson Catholic. The Jersey City-based school coached by Nick Mariniello is building into a legitimate state power. Even the sub varsity teams are strong. My JV game saw Hudson win 106-34 (no misprint). At any rate a familiar face was in the stand: Mike O’Koren, who starred at Hudson with Jim Spanarkel and later North Carolina before an NBA career, was in attendance. As an alum of Hudson, he is happy regarding the program’s new found strength and to be a part of it. “Nick (Mariniello) has been wonderful inviting me back and keeping me involved and close to the program. O’Koren takes in as many games as he can, especially in the gym where he and Spanarkel lead the Hawks to county and state titles.
