After Seton Hall basketball won the program's first national invitational tournament since 1953, emails poured in from all over the country.
There was a 1968 graduate who had advanced Parkinson's disease and couldn't get out of bed, but he watched every game and asked to read newspaper articles about the games.
Some alumni lived in Florida, Chicago, and Los Angeles and flew pirate flags outside their homes.
The children of several 1953 team members wore gold watches commemorating their deceased fathers as good luck charms.
The spectacular title game victory over Indiana State attracted 1.4 million viewers on ESPN, surpassing some games in the NCAA Tournament, NBA and Major League Baseball.
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“What a huge crowd,” athletics director Brian Felt said by phone Saturday. “With Shah (head coach Shaheen Holloway) and now we have a brand that is gritty, tough and outperforming you, and we've proven that on the national stage.”
It was the most-watched NIT contest in 11 years and the most-watched game of the 2024-25 season for the Pirates, who finished with 25 wins, tied for fourth in the program's 120-year history. became.
“I think you were completely disappointed and angry about not making it to the NCAA Tournament, but it was a catalyst for us all to come together,” Felt said. “Three (NIT) games in Walsh Gym, I felt like everyone was taking that anger and channeling it, and it was the same with these young guys (players). How do you harness that energy and move it forward to finish like?”
That's the question. How can Seton Hall capitalize on this momentum as the 2024 offseason begins?
“We made history,” Holloway told a crowd of fans Friday at a welcome reception on campus. “That's just the beginning.”
Here are five offseason priorities for the program.
1. Check who is left on the ship
Players can start entering the transfer portal today. In a sport dominated by free agency, senior standouts Kadary Richmond and Dre Davis are likely to spend their graduate seasons elsewhere or pursue opportunities in professional baseball. How well can Holloway assemble his supporting cast? Senior guard Dylan Ade-Wusu, freshman wing Isaiah Coleman and junior center Elijah Hutchins-Everett will play key roles again next season, and Coach Holloway will look to sophomore guard Jaquan, who has been a consistent performer in the NIT. -I have praised Sanders.
There will be turnover – that's the way things are right now – but Holloway has stressed the importance of continuity to this year's success, so expect him to try to retain as many contributors as possible. I want you to. The timing of your departure is also important. Last year, starting center Tyrese Samuel entered the transfer portal right after the season ended, which gave the staff time to dig through the bushes and find Jaden Bediako, who filled the position very well. Expect the returnee's situation to be resolved soon, as a delayed exit from the portal will be even more painful.
2. End Holloway's contract extension
Seton Hall never releases contract information, so don't expect an announcement regarding Holloway's contract extension. The contract extension is currently in progress and should be completed soon. Holloway believes this is the job he's meant for, but he's also smart to use this season as leverage, such as by increasing funding for his staff.
Will the staff evolve as well? Again, this is a high turnover initiative. It will be interesting to see if Andre Barrett has a spot on the staff as an assistant coach or in another capacity. Holloway's successor as Seton Hall's point guard (and his best friend) works in the NBA, serving as director of scouting and recruiting for the NBA-shutdown G League Ignite. Barrett has great contacts across the grassroots scene, a trained eye for talent and could be a valuable confidant.
3. Rebuild your roster
Seton Hall has two highly-touted high school seniors signed, 6-foot-5 guard Jaseem Felton and 6-foot-9 center Godswill Elheline, the latter of whom broke his foot last season. However, it is expected to be ready in the fall. Most holes are filled through portals. They include several players Holloway has targeted in past recruiting cycles, including Scottie Middleton, a 6-foot-6 guard who chose Ohio State over Hall last spring. . As a freshman, he averaged 4.4 points in 15 minutes per game and shot 45 percent from 3-point range.
4. Continuing development of Onward Setonia
How Holloway mines the portal will depend on the success of Onward Setonia, an alumni-led effort to strengthen the likeness of Seton Hall's name and image. At the moment, the situation has improved significantly compared to last year. Her internal goal of $1.5 million is an achievable prospect.
In an indication of how much the NIT's operations have galvanized voters, a poster on the fan bulletin board PirateCrew.com pledged a total of $100,000 in donations to Bunny's Sports Bar in South Orange, a longtime hangout for Pirates hoops fans. donated 10 percent of its profits. From NIT's final watch party on Thursday to the cause (donations were a four-figure sale). Onward Setonia is selling his NIT Championship merchandise and plans to announce events involving Holloway in the near future.
As a side note, season ticket renewals became available from early February, the fastest time ever, allowing holders to secure discounted prices ahead of expected price increases. The reaction was as expected.
5. Adjust your non-meeting schedule
In each of his first two seasons, Holloway complained that the non-conference schedule (much of which he inherited) was too difficult. Seton Hall is set to play in three straight games at the Charleston Classic in South Carolina on November 21st, 22nd and 24th (opponent to be determined) and a road game at Rutgers, followed by a Big East -Required to play in home games in Big 12 games. I have traveled to Kansas State and Baylor the past two fall.
The remaining spots will likely be filled with local opponents (NJIT, St. Peter's and Monmouth are among the candidates) and standard guaranteed game fees. A potential semi-neutral return game from Missouri faces logistical challenges and may not take place. Depending on how many new items Pirates has, that might be for the best.
Jerry Carino is a community columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues of the Jersey Shore. Please contact us at jcarino@gannettnj.com.