Seton Hall Picked Fifth in Big East Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll

The Seton Hall Pirates were selected fifth in the Big East Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday during Media Day at Madison Square Garden. The Pirates return four of their top six scorers from a season ago, but will need to replace Big East Co-Player of the Year, Sandro Mamukelashvili.

Senior wing Jared Rhoden, a Preseason All-Big East First Team selection, is expected to be the leader for Kevin Willard's squad. Rhoden started all 27 games as a junior and averaged 14.9 points and 6.7 rebounds. While no one player will replace the contributions of Mamukelashvili, Rhoden will be counted on heavily. 

Also expected to take on much of the scoring for the Pirates is graduate student, Myles Cale. Last season, Cale averaged 11.6 points per game, ranking him 23rd in the Big East. Defensively, fellow grad student, Ike Obiagu leads the way. Obiagu proved to be a reliable shot blocker, leading the conference in that category. His 77 blocks last year were sixth-most in Seton Hall single-season history.

Villanova was the overwhelming favorite to win the Big East title, receiving 10 of the 11 first place votes. Connecticut received one first place vote and 84 points overall to be picked second.

The Pirates have exceeded their preseason poll rank 20 times and have finished in the exact spot it was predicted to land 12 times. There have been only 10 instances in 42 seasons in the Big East has Seton Hall not at least met its preseason expectation.

The Pirates' season begins on Wednesday, Nov. 10, when they host Fairleigh Dickinson at Prudential Center.

2021-22 Big East Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Villanova (10), 100 points

2. Connecticut (1), 84 points

3. Xavier, 76 points

4. St. John's, 73 points

5. Seton Hall, 68 points

6. Butler, 60 points

7. Providence, 45 points

8. Creighton, 38 points

9. Marquette, 26 points

10. Georgetown, 25 points

11. DePaul, 10 points

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Gregg Snyder

Gregg has lived in New Jersey is entire life and is a current resident of Somerset County. As a huge sports fan, he is passionate about NJ sports at all levels. The former owner of Double G Sports, Gregg has vast experience in sports media and journalism.

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