Big East Basketball: Way-too-early conference power rankings for 2020-21

3. Seton Hall Pirates

2019-20: 21-9 (13-5), t-1st in Big East
Key Departures: G Myles Powell, G Quincy McKnight, C Romaro Gill
Incoming Freshmen: G Dimingus Stevens, G Jahari Long
Incoming Transfers: G Bryce Aiken (Harvard), F Takal Molson (Canisius)

Headline: Can the Pirates’ veteran roster overcome the loss of three starters, including the All-American Powell?

Star Watch: Sandro Mamukelashvili
Who makes The Leap: Jared Rhoden
X-Factor: Bryce Aiken

I don’t love this Seton Hall team. The Pirates are without three key starters from a year ago, and really, I think the teams from 3-8 in my rankings are pretty interchangeable. But Mamukelashvili might be the best returning player among the mid-tier Big East teams, and Seton Hall has built five* NCAA tournament teams in a row. That year-in, year-out consistency is worth something, especially in this offseason environment.

In Mamu’s nine starts once he returned from injury last season, he averaged 14.3 ppg and 8.2 rpg on 56/46/91 shooting line, headlined by a sparkling 26-point, 9-rebound, 3-assist showing at Marquette on Feb. 29. Mamukelashvili can score from all three areas of the floor, but was almost always spoon-fed open threes with defenses focusing most of their attention on Powell. How he shifts into more a creator role will be critical for the Pirates.

Aiken, a transfer from Harvard, will slot into the starting backcourt and will have to assume some the scoring duties left by Powell. He averaged nearly 17 ppg during his Crimson career and is extremely adept at worming his way to the free throw line, but only played in 65 of the team’s 120 games during his four years. Will the frail, 6-foot New Jersey native be able to survive the battles in the Big East? Aiken has been okay against high-major competition throughout his career, averaging 17.3 ppg over eight games, though on just 37 percent shooting.

But the biggest reason the Pirates should be able to withstand such roster losses is the continued development of Rhoden, the 6-foot-6 junior swingman out of New York. Rhoden’s raw production spiked as a sophomore, and continued to climb in Big East play as his shooting numbers improved. He brings it on both ends of the floor, is an excellent rebounder, and forces turnovers without giving it away himself. Senior Myles Cale has not quite progressed as expected for Seton Hall, so Rhoden should be the Pirates’ go-to wing player. Don’t be surprised if he fights his way into the all-Big East conversation by year’s end.