SETON HALL 2007-2008 SNAPSHOT

May 7, 2007


Head Coach: Bobby Gonzalez
2006-2007 Record: 13-16 (4-12 Big East)

Returning Players:
Brian Laing, Senior (Guard/Forward)
Jamar Nutter, Senior (Guard)
Paul Gause, Junior (Guard)
Eugene Harvey, Sophomore (Guard)
Larry Davis, Sophomore (Guard)
John Garcia, Sophomore (Center)

Incoming Players:
Chris Smith (Guard)
Austin Okosun (Center)
Brandon Walters (Big Forward)
Jeremy Hazell (Guard)
Michael Glover (Forward)

Graduated:
Carl Marshall
Grant Billmeier
Stan Gaines

Transferred Out:
Kashif Pratt


Open Items/Issues:
At the moment I typed this up, Mike davis was still an open item as Seton Hall continues to pursue the 6'9 Big Forward in hopes of shoring up their frontcourt for the 2007-2008 season. Davis is also being pursued by Rutgers and a decision should be coming within days, but that has been said for months now. The Pirates have two scholarships currently open after adding Chris Smith and Brandon Walters in the late signing period and parting ways with freshman guard Kashif Pratt and incoming verbal commitment Jamar Greene. For now, it looks like bobby Gonzalez will pursue Davis until the very end and hold any unused scholarships for a 2008 class that has some interesting local talent.

Summary:
In his first year in the Big East Bobby Gonzalez guided Seton Hall to a 4-12 record. The Pirates played with a high amount of energy, similar to their coach's sideline demeanor. He will add some new recruits that are all very agile and the added depth will help greatly in the style of play the Pirates will look to attack with.

In the college game, good guards will keep you in any game and the Pirates appear to have a good stable of guards. Sophomore Eugene Harvey returns to run the show and Larry Davis and Paul Gause are perfect in the high-octane game that Gonzalez likes to unleash on the opponent. There was some question as to whether Jamar Nutter would return for a 5th-year, but it looks like we can count him in for 2007-2008 giving the Pirates an experienced deep threat that will look to rebound from a tough season last year.

The interior game still remains the Pirates biggest question mark. Last year they had to use Brian Laing and even Larry Davis at the '4' position due to injuries to Grant Billmeier and Stan Gaines as well as the slow comebock of John Garcia from his knee injuries. Billmeier and Gaines have graduated leaving Garcia as the only returning frontcourt player. Laing will hopefully be able to play the wing position for the most part, but you can see why the Pirates are going to battle for Mike Davis until the bitter end. It is uncertain how much help Auston Okosun or Brandon Walters will be able to provide next season. Michael Glover will bring his lunch pail every day to work in the Big East, but he will be a bit undersized inside, but he will work extra hard to give the Pirates some depth.

Seton Hall will be better equiped to play the full court defense that Bobby Gonzalez prefers. Their guard corps is deeper and they add some additional skill with Jeremy Hazell and everyone else is a year older. Their inside game is still below par for the Big East, but their backcourt will keep things interesting. They should set their sights on qualifying for the Big East Tournament and an NIT bid, they should be in that group of teams a luck break or two from sneaking out a .500 conference record, but they are going to have to shoot very well to make up for their lack of interior strength (and numbers).