Seton Hall Basketball: Forecasting the 2018-19 Pirates

Seton Hall will be forced to rebuild following the best campaign of the century for the Pirates.

“They’re like my kids. They really are.”

With those words, Seton Hall Pirates coach Kevin Willard summed up just what the Seton Hall seniors meant to him, and the program. They poured their blood, sweat, and tears into this NCAA Tournament run, falling just a few baskets short of upsetting Kansas on Saturday.

Just like that, some of the most accomplished players in school history ended their collegiate careers. No more Angel Delgado, who put up a 24-23 double-double in the loss. No more Khadeen Carrington, who refused to quit on Saturday, scoring almost all of Seton Hall’s points down the stretch. Desi Rodriguez and Ismael Sanogo are gone, too.

The coming days will bring reflection and celebration to these departing seniors.

They should also provide positive memories to fans who will need to draw upon them next year.

Seton Hall is going to take a step back next season. How big of a step remains to be seen. Of their top five scorers, only Myles Powell returns. Willard will need to develop someone – anyone – to help Powell out; there aren’t any members of the roster that immediately stand out in that way.

The biggest addition to the Pirates comes from the transfer market. Quincy McKnight averaged 18.9 points per game during his sophomore season at Sacred Heart before choosing to transfer. He’ll have two years of eligibility beginning next year. He could form a lethal one-two tandem with Powell.

On the recruiting trail, the best addition is point guard Anthony Nelson. 247 Sports lists him as a three-star prospect, just outside of their Top 200 rankings. He should compete for reserve minutes early in his career.

Seton Hall will be thin in the frontcourt, though.

Next: Forecasting Wichita State's 2018-19

In 2018, the Seton Hall Pirates won their first NCAA Tournament game since 2004. In 2019, making the NCAA Tournament will be a challenge in of itself.