The Pirates came into their matchup with UConn feeling optimistic about getting back a key rotation player. Seton Hall sixth man Dre Davis warmed up and was dressed to play. However, after warming up it was determined he was unable to give it a go. The Pirates have gotten used to playing without Davis, who has missed the past six games. The Pirates did not expect to be without the captain of the ship, point guard Kadary Richmond, who left the game after seven minutes with a back injury.
The Pirates fell to the Huskies by the score of 64-55. With Kadary Richmond exiting the game only seven minutes in with a back injury, they had to turn to someone for answers on the offensive end. KC Ndefo scored all of his 13 points in the first half, as the Pirates headed into the locker room down six. Al-Amir Dawes who finished with 16 points, came out strong in the second half and helped Seton Hall cut the Connecticut lead down to as low as two points multiple times. It wasn’t enough, as Huskies sophomore guard Jordan Hawkins poured in 20 points and Connecticut pulled away to beat the Pirates by nine.
The Pirates whose NCAA tournament hopes took a hit, won’t return to action until Friday night. The nearly week long break comes at a much needed time for Seton Hall, who needs to get healthy heading into their final three games.
Seton Hall head coach Shaheen Holloway when asked about the injury status of Kadary Richmond said, “I have no idea of the extent of Kadary’s back injury. The only positive thing is we have a bye week, so hopefully it’s not something too crazy and we can get him back.”
The Pirates will need their point guard and preseason second team all-league selection, if they are going to have any chance of earning an at large bid to the NCAA tournament. Seton Hall has three games remaining, two against quadrant one opponents and two of the three games are at home. The Pirates will likely need to win all three games, or will have to make a run in the Big East Tournament.
The first of the Seton Hall's final three games is against the sixteenth ranked Xavier Musketeers, who will come into the Prudential Center on Friday evening. A lower bowl sellout is expected and a large student turnout as well since Seton Hall has pegged this game as the annual Greek Night. Will the Pirates have a healthy Richmond back in time for the stretch run? We have a week to find out.
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- Seton Hall Picked 9th by Big East Men’s Basketball Coaches - October 25, 2023
