2012 NIT: Seton Hall and UMass Preview

In the second round of NIT action today, the Seton Hall Pirates from the Big East will take on the Massachusetts Minutemen of the A-10. Both of these team’s are known for their defensive play, with the Pirates among the best 60 defensive teams in college basketball. They weathered through another difficult Big East season and had an NCAA Tournament-quality resume, but they just missed the cut. The No. 1 seeded Pirates are among the three favorites for the NIT crown, and standing in their way is 23-11 UMass who also boast a top 75 D.

This game has already been under way, but there seems to be no way that the No. 5 seeded Minutemen win. The game that will be televised on ESPN is all about a Seton Hall team that plays at an NCAA quality level and had a 50 SRS. They should have made it into the tournament, but they will take out their vengeance on the NIT. Below are the top players involved.

1. Herb Pope (Seton Hall)- Pope is a terrific player who posted a 24.2 PER in the regular season and was just outstanding. He does a little bit of everything, is efficient, gets blocks, and he plays great defense overall. He’s their star and the star of the game.

2. Edwin Fuguan (Seton Hall)- Pope is the Pirates best player overall, but Fuguan is their best offensive player and had a 55.4 TS% on a mediocre offensive squad.  He also plays good defense and has been known to get some steals in there.

3. Chaz Williams (UMass)- Chaz reps the Minutemen well and is their star and 20+ PER player. He is their top rebounder and scorer, and he has an insane 35 AST%.

4. Jordan Theodore (Seton Hall)- Watch out for the Pirates highest scorer, because he makes up for a lack of efficiency through great passing  and driving. Pope gets the boards, while Theodore dishes out the dimes with 6.7 per game.

5. Raphiael Putney (UMass)- He is their second best player with an 18.9 PER and has top efficiency with a 57.4 TS%. A solid rebounder, Putney grabs six boards per game and dominated down low with 1.5  blocks per contest.  He is the guy they build their solid defense around and allows just .92 points per play against him and has been worth about 2.5 wins on defense.

Expect Seton Hall to win this game, as they have more talent, have played through a tougher schedule, and the Pirates are better at doing what both teams can do well; defend. I am calling a 66-58 win for the Pirates with Herb Pope being the player of the game.

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