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A Return to March Madness Possible for Seton Hall and Holloway?

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Kyle Ferreira

Time passes quickly and as I was driving up and down I-287 Thursday, I was thinking about two things. For one, I thought about the fun stuff I did in March 2022 as a first-year student in college. Second, I thought about the last time Seton Hall head coach Shaheen Holloway made the NCAA Tournament. 


The famous Elite Eight run Holloway had with Saint Peter’s was something I will never forget. I remember the night that Holloway and the Peacocks beat Zach Edey and Purdue in the Sweet Sixteen. 


You know how much I remember Friday, March 25, 2022? I woke up early to record Muhlenberg football’s spring practice, went back to bed, worked on some homework and then that night happened.


That Friday night, I hung out with my friends at one of their homes. The Purdue-Saint Peter’s game was on and the twins I was friends with, their dad was really excited to watch the game. I believed he said he was from Nutley, but he was definitely from North Jersey.  


From eating crêpe, to watching 90s Goosebumps to seeing Holloway, Doug Edert and KC Ndefo beat Purdue, it was an incredible start to that weekend. It eventually became one of the best weekends for me at Muhlenberg. 


Then, Holloway goes to Seton Hall. Then, I transferred to Seton Hall. I didn’t transfer to Seton Hall because of Holloway, but the timing of everything was hilarious in retrospect.


Yet, Holloway hasn’t been back since that magical season with the Peacocks. Seton Hall, who also made it back in the 2021-2022 season, hasn't been back either.


Holloway's tenure as the coach of the Pirates has gone as follows:


22-23: 17-16 (10-10 BE) NIT Appearance 

23-24: 25-12  (13-7 BE) NIT Champions

24-25: 7-25 (2-18 BE) We never speak of this season ever again


Currently in the 25-26 season, the Pirates are 20-10 (10-9 BE) and were ranked at one point this season. Outside the NIT championship season, this is Holloway’s best shot to get back to the NCAA Tournament.


As a SHU grad, I am biased and hope Seton Hall becomes the fourth team in the BIG EAST to make the field. Having covered the team a lot this season, this squad Holloway has assembled is one that embodies him. As a result, you have a better, well-trained, more respectful and excellent group of individuals who are more enjoyable than last season’s squad.


I took a look at some of the players who left following last season and I am thankful a lot of them are gone. Watching Najai Hines play this season is beautiful. Having to watch Emmanuel Okorafor last season was painful.


In the current day, the Pirates are one day shy of playing one of their most important games of the season. 18th ranked St. John’s will be in Newark on Friday and the Pirates hope to cap off their regular season with a major victory. It will be a victory that for their resume, will help their chances of making the NCAA Tournament. 


But, I get it. Rick Pitino and Zuby Ejiofor are two of the biggest names in college basketball and SJU are no doubt one of the best teams in the nation. Plus, spring break is going on right now at Seton Hall so on paper, the Pirates are underdogs. 


However, the late 9 p.m. tipoff, mixed with a possible crowd of 9,000 could provide interesting results. Non-students are also reportedly being allowed to sit in the student section.


Jerry Carino posted on Twitter on Thursday about the expected crowd on hand. 9,000 people would be amazing.


If Seton Hall were to come away with the win, it would be a Quad 1 victory. This would of course be the first step in helping their chances of making "The Big Dance.”


As it stands, Seton Hall still needs to get some work done within the next week to help them get into the tourney. A great run in next week’s BIG EAST Tournament should help them mightily. Ideally, though, winning the conference tournament would be better, which is possible for them to do.  


So, after writing all of this down, do I believe Seton Hall gets in? I’m optimistic they can get the job done. 


If the Pirates get in, it would be an awesome moment for Holloway. To take the school he played for to perhaps the greatest tournament in sports would be incredible. 


Now, please don’t ask me about the College Basketball Crown. Not ready for that conversation if they have to play in that.


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