Newark, NJ – The slogan ‘protect this house’ is a Seton Hall one attributed to their Prudential Center home court. In truth that slogan may be utilized by any team in the Big East. Get those home wins while ‘stealing’ a few on enemy courts.
On Saturday Xavier showed no regard for the slogan. The Musketeers ‘stole’ one away from home. They came to the ‘Rock’, started strong and held off any Seton Hall runs to post a 74-62 victory. Seton Hall suffered its first loss in conference play. The Pirates are 8-1 in the Big East and 16-5 overall. Xavier is now 14-8, 3-6 in conference.
Courtside observations and notes:
Seton Hall’s meeting with Xavier on Saturday did not start as a homecourt advantage. The Pirates trailed 24-6 eight minutes into the contest. Xavier entered the ‘Rock’ 2-6 in conference play. Seton Hall, an unblemished 8-0. Was the eight minute blitz by the Musketeers due to the 11 AM start? No, just chalk it up to life in the Big East-anything can (and usually) happen.
By halftime the deficit was down to a dozen, 35-23. Seton Hall showed patience in not trying to erase the deficit in one possession. Time was on their side. Kevin Willard’s group was used to comebacks, most recently here Wednesday against DePaul.
Hall threw full court pressure at Xavier. Not so much to force turnovers but to get them out of a comfort zone running their sets. Force them to use clock before setting up in half court.
At the half Myles Powell had 4 points. Naji Marshall, Xavier’s leading scorer at 16.7 ppg, was getting it done defensively on Powell. There was help as coach Travis Steele wanted defensive attention on the Seton Hall star at all times.
First for minutes of the second half were even. At the 16 minute time out the difference was still twelve (46-34 Xavier). For Seton Hall Quincy McKnight and Jared Rhoden provided the offensive spark as Powell was still searching for his comfort zone.
Memo to Seton Hall fans regarding ten second violations…On two occasions Xavier advanced the ball against the press. The Musketeers were still in the backcourt when the shot clock struck 20. No violation, crowd erupts. Officials are instructed to use their count and not the clock’s count in determining a ten second violation. The ‘human’ count is rarely, if ever, equal to the clock count.
As the second half progressed Tyrique Jones of Xavier came up with a few big finishes inside to keep the margin at double digits. From the ten minute to six minute mark, the 6’9” senior had all three Xavier field goals in that stretch.
A few steals, transition and ‘conventional’ three point plays got the deficit to seven. The deficit to seven. The crowd energized-Xavier started to play on its heels.
The problem for Xavier is dribble penetration. Seton Hall guards got to the basket, finishing and/or drawing fouls.
Jones answered again and with the lead back to double figures and minutes draining-the visitor’s formula came down to this-protect the ball and hit your free throws.
The numbers:
Possessions: 69
Offensive efficiency: Xavier 107, Seton Hall 90
Leading scorers: Xavier – Naji Marshall, Tyrique Jones 19
Seton Hall – Quincy McKnight 15, Jared Rhoden 13
A most damaging tempo free statistic for Seton Hall was offensive rebounding percentage. Xavier held a 45-11% edge. In raw numbers 14-5 with Jones pulling down 6, one more than the entire Seton Hall team.
Seton Hall did force Xavier into a very high 26% TO rate (18 turnovers). The visitor’s prowess on the glass was a compensating factor for carelessness with the ball.
Jones, 19 points 18 boards, 4 blocks in 30 minutes was easily the game MVP, came up big when needed and a huge factor in the victory.
Myles Powell struggled with a 9 point outing. Powell shot 1 of 9 from beyond the arc. Credit Xavier defense, especially that of Marshall, for constantly shadowing Powell.
Was impressed with Powell not forcing the issue. With Seton Hall in a double figure hole the senior guard stayed within the framework of the offense letting the game come to him. Problem being, his own opportunities were limited thanks to the previously mentioned defense.
