Seton Hall left for California in need of a boost, an inexperienced team searching for an identity following back-to-back losses.
The Pirates returned with their first non-conference tournament title in four years, and a desperately needed belief in themselves following three straight quality wins.
“Without question, it was good for us,” coach Kevin Willard said in a phone interview, referring to the Wooden Legacy title, in which Seton Hall defeated Grand Canyon, Hawaii and Miami. “It goes a long way into giving them some confidence.”
They’ll need it. Willard’s challenging non-conference schedule continues on Saturday against ACC foe Louisville and still includes No. 10 Kentucky, in-state rival Rutgers and No. 24 Maryland on the road. Seton Hall (4-2) has already faced, and fallen to, Big Ten contender Nebraska and Atlantic 10 preseason favorite Saint Louis — games Willard believes helped them out west.
“All these games are giving us what we need to work on,” he said. “When you’re beating teams by 30, it gives you a false sense of who you are. Those early games are definitely helping me understand what we need to get better at.”
While star junior guard Myles Powell carried Seton Hall to an opening-round win in the Wooden Classic, scoring a career-high 40 points and being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, the most important part of the trip was the production of others.
Sacred Heart transfer Quincy McKnight was a revelation after struggling in the first three games, averaging 9.3 points, four assists and two steals in the tournament. Syracuse transfer Taurean Thompson was productive off the bench. Freshmen Jared Rhoden and Anthony Nelson provided jolts when called upon, and senior forward Michael Nzei set a career high with 21 points in the championship game.
“The biggest thing was getting a lot of guys game experience,” Willard said. “I saw a lot of guys get more comfortable and get in a good rhythm. I like that we’re getting a little better.”
Still, Willard isn’t sure such an aggressive schedule was worth it for this group, even though his players handled their first dose of adversity well. He’ll know more in a month.
“You have to ask me,” Willard said with a laugh, “after the Maryland game going into Christmas.”