Seton Hall Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Pirates

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NEWARK, NJ – JANUARY 25: Head coach Kevin Willard of the Seton Hall Pirates questions a call during the first half against the Butler Bulldogs in an NCAA college basketball game at Prudential Center on January 25, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey. Butler defeated Seton Hall 61-54. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Non-conference schedule for 2018-19

Nov. 14 (A) – Nebraska

Nov. 17 (H) – St. Louis

Nov. 22-25 (Wooden Legacy) Grand Canyon, Hawaii or Utah, La Salle, Miami, Northwestern or Fresno State

Dec. 1 (H) – Louisville

Dec. 4 (H) – New Hampshire

Dec. 8 (N) – Kentucky in Madison Square Garden

Dec. 15 (H) – Rutgers

Dec. 19 (H) – Sacred Heart

Dec. 22 (A) – Maryland

Considered one of the hardest non-conference schedules done by a power conference program, Seton Hall has set themselves up well to make the NCAA Tournament despite most likely having double-digit losses. Even the mid-major opponents such as Grand Canyon and St. Louis are going to be tough outs this season.

There are two keys to the Pirates having a successful pre-Big East slate. The first is either defeating Kentucky for that marquee win or getting two wins out of the following four (St. Louis, Maryland, Louisville or Nebraska) while avoiding a devastating loss (cough cough Rutgers).

What else is important for fans is seeing how the Wooden Legacy Classic works out. The goal for Seton Hall is to win this winnable event while facing Grand Canyon, Utah, and Miami on the pathway to the title. The Hurricanes look to be the only true tournament contender on the other side of the bracket, so facing them (and beating them) would be good.

All in all, an 8-3 record (without a bad loss) should put them in a great position for a bid, even if they go .500 in league play.

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