For Seton Hall Men’s Basketball fans, I think we can all agree, this is our year. With the return of senior Angel Delgado, who seemed bound to leave school to pursue basketball professionally, the Seton Hall Pirates boast the nation’s only team with three returning 1,000 point scorers, as well as one of the best rebounders in the nation in Delgado. Currently, the team is ranked #23 overall in the AP preseason national rankings, however, certain websites and blogs have the pirates ranking as high as #12 overall, and many experts have predicted Seton Hall to be their “dark horse” final-four team.

The best thing about Seton Hall this year is definitely their experience. Pretty much everyone from their rotation is returning this year. Khadeen Carrington will lead the offense and is a veteran floor general. Delgado will dominate on the boards. Desi Rodriguez will also put up big numbers for the squad. Myles Powell is another important returning piece who will have to shoulder more responsibility in his sophomore season. The key for the Pirates is going to be how their younger players do. It is critical that the Pirates shoot well from the perimeter in order to win the big games against the tougher teams this year. Myles Cale is a freshman who figures to play a big role right from the beginning of the season. This team is known for its defensive grit under Coach Kevin Willard, so hopefully, we can expect stingy defense this season, especially with the long, athletic players on our roster.

Although Villanova is still the favorite to win the Big East, I honestly think it is very reasonable to expect Seton Hall to compete for the regular season title this season, and certainly the tournament title. I remember when they pulled off the upset and won the Big East tournament two years ago at Madison Square Garden, and to this day that is still one of the craziest sporting events I have ever been to. What will determine, at least for me, how successful their season will be is their performance in the NCAA tournament. The Seton Hall Pirates have not won an NCAA game since 2004, which is frankly upsetting. Obviously, we expect them to definitely qualify for the tournament, but I hope to see them advance to the sweet sixteen.

Again, some people have picked Seton Hall as a dark horse final four team, which would be awesome, and if they make the final four, anything could happen, and they could walk away with a title. Stranger things have happened! But I do think that is being optimistic. Let’s just hope they can make it out of the first round this year, and have some success in the Big East as well.

Go, Pirates!