South Orange, N.J. – In coaching psychology plays a key part. Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard had to play a major role of psychologist to get the Pirates ready for the NIT. Just 48 hours removed from a severe “Selection Sunday” snub, Seton Hall defeated Stony Brook 63-61 in the first round of the NIT at Walsh Gymnasium.
The pace and efficiency:
| Possessions | Off. Efficiency | |
| Stony Brook | 66 | 92 |
| Seton Hall | 65 | 97 |
“We were disappointed not getting an NCAA bid,” Seton Hall senior guard Jordan Theodore admitted. “But we feel now that we are in the NIT let’s go out and try to win it.” Willard impressed upon his team the NIT means opportunity. The chance to continue the season. For the younger players, it gives more games and added experience and improvement. It is just as valuable for the seniors. “As a senior if you want to play at the next level the NIT gives you more chances to be seen,” Willard said. “The more games you play the more people will see you and the better your chances are.”
Stony Brook, the America east regular season champion, fell in the conference final to Vermont. The Seawolves got out to a slow start, trailing 12-2 due to a succession of turnovers. “Once we got settled and ran our offense we were a lot better,” Stony Brook coach Steve Pikiell said.
The Stony Brook strength was on the boards. They owned a 44-23 rebounding edge, 19-2 on the offensive end. “We knew they could rebound and that is a weakness of ours,” Willard said. “But they really took it to us.”
On Seton Hall’s end, forcing 18 turnovers on the night was huge. Also the play of seniors Herb Pope (20 points, 9 rebounds) and Theodore (a game-high 21 points) was crucial. Theodore shot 8 of 17, did force a few penetrations, and had four turnovers. On the plus side were his 6 assists and 3 steals. The second half was closely contested with the largest lead of six, by Seton Hall on several occasions.
Not surprisingly, this came down to the final possession. With the Hall leading by two and seconds remaining, Pikiell elected to go for the three-pointer and win. The ball on an inbounds was passed to perimeter threat Bryan Dougher. The senior guard was defended by Aaron Cosby. The shot missed and a tip at the buzzer missed.
Stony Brook finished the season 22-10. Dallis Joyner led the Seawolves in scoring with 14 points. Dougher, who hails from nearby Scotch Plains, NJ, added a dozen points in his last outing.
“From day one Bryan Dougher has been fantastic,” Pikiell said. “He never missed class, never missed practice, I just put the ball in his hands when he got on campus his freshman year and slept very well.”
A note even coach Kevin Willard was surprised to hear: this was Seton Hall’s first NIT victory since a first round game against Marquette in the 1955-56 tournament. The Pirates had lost 11 straight NIT contests until Tuesday.
Post game, the Stony Brook Dance Team and band formed two lines outside the door the visiting players exit. They enthusiastically cheered each polayer and coach walking by in recognition of an excellent season.
The game was a sellout at Walsh Gym which holds approximately 3,000. Seton Hall has the number one seed and will play all NIT games prior to the semis, on campus. Next up is UMass set for 11 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day morning.
