Seton Hall’s point guard is new. Its best forward is new. One of its top scorers is new.
Welcome to the transfer era. Rather than rebuild, Kevin Willard reloaded, bringing in three major newcomers: South Florida forward Alexis Yetna, Syracuse point guard Kadary Richmond and American guard Jamir Harris.
They join the returning core of All-Big East preseason first-team selection Jared Rhoden, plus Myles Cale, Ike Obiagu, Tyrese Samuel and Bryce Aiken.
On paper, it has the look of a tournament team. In reality, it’s hard to judge. Even Willard doesn’t know what to expect.
Adding to the intrigue, Rhoden recently sprained his ankle and could miss a few games, and Seton Hall has a brutal non-conference schedule — it has become Willard’s calling card — that won’t give it much time to find its way.
“One reason we’ve been successful over the past six, seven years is we’ve had great continuity,” Willard told The Post. “All our major pieces have always come back. Guys we’ve added haven’t had to play huge roles. It’s been different. I’ve come to realize I have to be much simpler in what we do.”
Why Seton Hall will make the NCAA Tournament
The roster is improved. This is a better shooting team, it is deeper and has a true point guard in Richmond. Willard can play small or go big, and he isn’t overly dependent on one player, as was the case a season ago with tri-Big East Player of the Year Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Why Seton Hall will miss the NCAA Tournament
There aren’t answers for all the questions, in particular on the defensive end. It takes too long for the newcomers to jell with the holdovers, leading to a poor non-conference season that is too much to overcome in league play.
X factor
Kadary Richmond has the pedigree as a four-star, top-100 recruit. He showed flashes in his one year at Syracuse despite limited playing time. But now it’s the 6-foot-6 Brooklyn native’s show at Seton Hall. If he is the answer at point guard, the Pirates can be very dangerous. Otherwise, the position that was the downfall of last year’s team could derail this season, too.
3 Key Questions
Is Jared Rhoden ready for his star turn?
Is water wet? The ultra-confident Long Island native has been waiting for this, watching and learning how older teammates handled the opportunity to be The Guy, and now it’s his chance. Expect the senior wing to fully embrace his role as the Pirates’ leader.
Will Bryce Aiken contribute?
The Randolph, N.J., native is healthier than he ever was last year and will be used in a role — as a microwave scorer off the bench — that better suits him. The former Harvard star is motivated and determined to make the most of his final college season.
How do the newcomers fit?
Seton Hall could end up starting three transfers. Yetna, Richmond and Harris will all play major roles. On paper, the trio are talent upgrades, but they are all new. There may not be a seamless transition, not only for them, but the players entrenched in the program.
Games to watch
at Michigan (Nov. 16)
This will open up old wounds for Seton Hall fans with memories of the 1989 national championship game, the classic title game that was decided by a questionable whistle in Michigan’s favor. This is an extremely tough early task for the Pirates, facing a Final Four contender on the road in just their third game.
vs. Texas (Dec. 9)
The loaded Longhorns and their impact transfers enter the season ranked fifth and could be even higher than that by the time of this matchup depending on early results. Seton Hall will have a major opportunity for a statement win in its own building.
vs. Rutgers (Dec. 12)
The Garden State Hardwood Classic, the annual rivalry game, took a year off last season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s back and the intensity figures to be at a fever pitch in the showdown of bitter rivals and NCAA Tournament hopefuls.
vs. Villanova (Jan. 1)
An argument can be made that this has become the best rivalry in the Big East, Jay Wright’s powerhouse against Kevin Willard’s pesky contender. The games in Newark are almost always a 40-minute thrill ride.
at St. John’s (Jan. 22)
Keep your eyes on the two point guards, Richmond and Posh Alexander, last year’s Big East Freshman of the Year from St. John’s. The two Brooklyn natives are friends, but also fierce competitors.
Anonymous Coach’s Take
“I love Alexis Yetna. I think he’s tough, he’s physical, he’s a grown man. Kadary obviously is talented. … Sandro is hard to replace. He just did so much for them. I’ll tell you who they are going to miss. They are going to miss Shavar Reynolds. He was tough as nails. He’s a dude who made winning plays all the time. … I think they are probably in the same boat as a lot of teams. They have a bunch of new guys. There’s going to be a lot of trial and error for them.”
Prediction
19-14, Fifth place in Big East, No. 10 seed in NCAA Tournament, First-round exit
Seton Hall fans will need to be patient. This team will look vastly different in February than it does in November and December. The Pirates lose four non-conference games, falling to Michigan, Texas, Yale and Ohio State, but that adversity makes them better. They soar over the second half of the league season as all the new pieces begin to click, and Willard’s team returns to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year hiatus.