Popkin, Mitchell Not Enough; Hall Loses 70-64

What was supposed to be a nice peaceful evening listening to the Prodigal Son and Gary Cohen announce an easy Seton Hall victoryA turned into an actual nightmare. The Hall travelled south this evening to take on James Madison University in what should have been a rather winnable OOC game. Instead, James Madison came out swinging and led at one point by 21 points in the first half. Overcoming their second straight sluggish start, the Hall battled back in classic Hall form, overcoming the 21 point deficit with a combination of steals, three point daggers and pressure D. However, it just wasn't enough.

For the third straight game, Seton Hall relied heavily on their "sprint squad," playing with four guards and Robert "Stix Mitchell" as their "center." Stix actually single handedly kept the Hall in the game, putting up 23 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. However, there is no possible way that Stix can be expected to matchup with the likes of Harangody, Thabeet and Onuaku. Mike Davis and Brandon Walters were virtually invisible tonight playing a combined 20 minutes and zero collective minutes in the second half. With John Garcia out for the next few games, Seton Hall is going to have to learn how to play its young big men, especially when BIG EAST play begins. If Davis and Wawa cant grow a pair of mitts soon, it will be a long, long season for the Pirates - even when John Garcia does return.

Gonzo's reluctance to use either of his backup big men forced him to turn to walk-on Matt "O' Say" Cajuste for a few minutes to spell Paul Gause as he fixed his knee brace. If that's not a slap in the face to Wawa or Davis, I'm not sure what is. Maybe it's a wake up call. Maybe it's the extra motivation they need. The point is - in order to compete in the BIG EAST, Gonzo is going to have to call upon either Mike Davis or Brandon Walters, even when John Garcia does return from his inury. Garcia can not be expected to play day in and dayout on two surgically repaired knees against some of the biggest bodies in college basketball. He is going to need help and someone is going to have to step up. Since I'm not eligble to play yet, it's going to have to be someone else....Ben...??

The other thought that Ben and I kept having was how on earth will Seton Hall compete with the top teams in the BIG EAST if they have to scramble to come from behind against the likes of Delaware, Cal Baptist, IUPUI and James Madison? If they can be go down by 21 to James Madison, what will happen when they play Louisivlle? Or UConn? I've heard many say that Seton Hall plays to its competition. Well that may be true, but where is the mental toughness? If they were to play a high school team, would they lose by 40?

In the lone bright spot of the evening, Ben and I were able to add a new nickname to our list. At roughly the nine minute mark of the second half, the Prodigal Son was true to his name when he coined the nickname "Eu-Genius" in reference to one of Eugene Harvey's circus layups. "Eu-Genius..?" No, Dave Popkin, you're a genius.

What's in a Name: IUPUI

pal‧in‧drome
–noun

1. a word, line, verse, number, sentence, etc., reading the same backward as forward, as Madam, I'm Adam or Poor Dan is in a droop.


It is once again time for our “What’s in a Name” series. This week’s edition will focus on the visiting Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) Jaguars. While Ben may be the English major, I have decided to take my own approach to analyzing IUPUI's bizarre relationship with the English language.

The visiting Jaguars may have the longest school name in NCAA Division I history. With a whopping 48 letters and 17 vowels, IUPUI is an English teacher’s (wet) dream. Secondly, and the focus of this week’s column, is that IUPUI is one of a few NCAA schools that is a palindrome. A palindrome is “a word, verse, or sentence (as “Able was I ere I saw Elba”) or a number (as 1881) that reads the same backward or forward.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) Stemming from the Greek word palindromos, the Greeks used the phrase to capture the backward movement of crabs. I have to imagine that there are at least a few other NCAA schools out there that are palindromes, but IUPUI might be the longest.

The ancient Greeks used the word “palindromos” to refer to the backward movement of crabs, noting that crabs often retraced their steps by moving backwards the same way they move forwards. Having the ability to move backwards and forwards in the same line without altering one’s movements drastically is a lesson that we, as Seton Hall fans, can all learn from. That which may set us backwards – John Garcia’s knee injury, the seemingly everlasting wait for Big Mel and Keon to be cleared, disappointing recruiting news – can just as easily be undone by a few strong steps forward in the very same line.

And that’s all for this edition of “What’s in a Name”

Seton Hall Music Video

The first of hopefully many Setonia Productions...Enjoy.

Zagoraphobia!!

According to Webster's Dictionary, "agoraphobia" is defined as: "a nervous disorder often triggered by the fear of no easy means of escape." We can only surmise then that Gonzo suffered from an unexpected bout of Zagoraphobia when he bumped into popular blogger Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog.net under the bleachers of the Prudential Center after the Hall's thrashing of Columbia. With his salt-and-pepper pho-hawk and Wesleyan education, Adam must have cut a terrifying figure, prompting Coach Gonzo to allegedly call out in fear, cursing and screaming. 

(For the details, check out the full story on SNY.) 

In all seriousness though, this could not come at a worse time for the program. After two solid wins, and the prospect of some positive recruiting news, things were starting to look sunny for this San Juan-bound squad. Whether it's Gonzo being Gonzo, or Zags being infantile, who knows... But here's the real question: How in God's name are Dave and I going to wake up in time to meet our fellow Booster Club members at the airport at 5 am on Thursday????!!!

Media Credentials Denied; Appeal Filed

As readers of the blog, you know that Dave and I are pretty serious about our love for the Hall. We follow this team religiously, and with true journalistic integrity.

It's for that reason that we decided to apply for media credentials to cover the team more closely at home games. Unfortunately, we just received an email that we've been denied. Fear not, however!! I have just filed an appeal with someone named Matt. Let's keep our fingers crossed...

Here's the email from the Hall:


Thank you for your interest in covering Seton Hall University men's basketball. Unfortunately, your request does not meet our credential criteria and it is not possible to accommodate all requests. You were denied credentials for the following reason:

Due to limited media space, Seton Hall University does not credential independent bloggers.

If you have any questions regarding your credential request, please contact Matt Sweeney at sweenemc@shu.edu.


Here's our "appeal:"


Dear Matt,

A few weeks ago, my fellow blogger Dave and I applied for media credentials to cover Seton Hall basketball. Unfortunately, we were inexplicably denied. In the email we received, we were told: "Seton Hall University does not credential independent bloggers."

I certainly understand that media credentials for Seton Hall must be in very high-demand, and accommodating every request is surely impossible. Really, who in their right mind wouldn't want the opportunity to report on this crazy squad?!?!?! Gonzo?!?! Nunu?!?! I can only imagine the piles and piles of applications.

Ordinarily, I would accept this denial with grace and humility. I must, however, take objection to the phrase "independent bloggers."

Dave and I are in no way independent. In fact, we depend on Seton Hall basketball for everything. Without the Seton Hall team, we'd have no reason to go on. "It's like someone saying I can't have air. I can't live without air, and I can't live without them." (Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire, referring to his children.)

Although I've never met you Matt, I can say confidently that you will never meet two people more dependent on anything in your entire life. And now, I'm depending on you.

I kindly and respectfully ask that the powers that be reconsider this decision. Not unlike Herbert Pope, I hope that you will take seriously my "appeal," accounting for all personal hardship I may or may not
have endured.

Sincerely,

Ben and Dave

Only 22 hrs and 40 mins to go...

Well, its official.

Maurice "Murray Hill" Sutton (Place) will decide between the holy trinity of schools tomorrow at a 3pm press conference held at his Largo High School (MD).

Check out "Zagsblog" for more information.

Also, it appears as though Coach Bobby G will be speaking from the pulpit tomorrow at a press conference for Seton Hall beat writers. If anyone has a spare pair of credentials, we would love to go.

Until then...keep praying.

Dayeinu!

During the Passover seder, everyone sings a song entitled “Dayeinu” as a way of expressing gratitude for the Lord’s generosity during our time in bondage. Translated from the Hebrew, “dayeinu” means “enough” – the idea is this: if the Lord had only shown half as much generosity, it would have sufficed.

On this, the second day of the Passover festival, Dave and I decided to make a pilgrimage. Unbelievable as it may seem, Dave had actually never set foot on Seton Hall’s glorious campus – like the land of Canaan, it was a mere far-away dream world for him. But today, that all changed. Touring around campus, we checked out the grounds, the beautiful dormitories. We drove down dead-ends, and performed K-turns, flawlessly. All-in-all, a wonderful experience! Dayeinu!!

But of course, the Pope’s visit would prove major dividends for us, as on this day, we struck true holiness – we actually ran into Okosun!! He was walking into Walsh Gym, carrying a basketball, listening to his iPod (shuffle?!?!?!?!)

Now, for those who don’t know, Okosun is pretty much our favorite player. His work ethic is unparalleled, and his patriotism, inspiring. There is no one I wanted to see more than my good (Facebook) friend, Augustine Okosun. So when we spotted him entering the gym, we had to follow.

Unfortunately, neither of us have swipe access. After ruminating for a while in the lobby, catching our breath, we decided to call it quits. As we were leaving, however, we noticed an open door on the side of building. Following the school motto (Hazard Zet Forward) we chose to “Hazard,” making our way boldly into the athletic center.

We desperately tried to find the gymnasium, but it was no avail. We kept finding ourselves getting lost in random corridors that led to nowhere, not unlike Seton Hall’s recruiting efforts with local four-star prospects. Our dream of practicing footwork with the big man, perhaps even lobbing alleyoop passes, trading smiles, laughs, was sadly not to be. Ultimately, we got trapped in a stairwell, leaving us with no choice than to leave through the emergency exit, activating the “alarm” as we fled like young rams. (2:13)

When we reached the car, we pretty much broke down and cried. I was physically exhausted, and Dave was overcome with emotion. When Dave said the word “emotion,” it sounded to me like “Okosun.” When I said, “Let’s get out of here,” Dave couldn’t hear me because the alarm was still quite loud, even though we had run very far.

On our way out of campus, we realized it had been a great day. Dave had seen Seton Hall for the first time, and we got to see Okosun, even if for only a second. And how great to see the big guy practicing in the off-season! Dayeinu!!!!

But wait!! Who are those two students walking on the sidewalk? Could it be – Brandon Wawa and Paul Gause??!?!?! Jackpot numero duo!!! Rolling down the window, Dave flashed them a quick wave, to which they did not immediately respond. After we found ourselves faced with yet another dead-end, however, forcing us to turn around yet again, we passed them a second time, and they definitely saw us for sure. Even though Paul kept dribbling his basketball, and Brandon kept looking forward, I’m pretty sure they noticed. Also, they looked startled by the sound of a distant alarm.

The story of the exodus is not one to be taken lightly. It’s a story that demands retelling, because it’s essential to the freedoms we currently enjoy. On this Passover, Dave and I didn’t just retell the story – we enacted it, sounding the bell of freedom loud and clear.

Third Time's a Charm

I could begin this post talking about the Rutgers game. About the questionable calls down the stretch. About the off-balance, game-winning, three-pointer from J.R. Inman. About the fact that Gonzo almost punched Fred Hill in the mouth, with good reason I might add.

Or what about the fact that Dave and I sat in our seats completely dumbstruck by the loss, refusing to vacate the arena even after the ushers threatened us with violence. A move that would later pay major dividends, as the Seton Hall players would congregate half-an-hour later in the Ice lounge with the university boosters – a group which we would go on to infiltrate. Mike Davis, Stix, Paul Gause. They were all there. We talked strategy with John Garcia’s father. We stared awkwardly at Eugene Harvey’s brother. We learned that Robert Mitchell carries multiple other nicknames in addition to “Stix,” including “Sticky” and “Sticky Icky.”

It was an eye-opening experience to say the least. We learned about the inner workings of the team, heard all the gossip, saw the world behind the curtain. (We’ll post more about this another time.)

But for now let’s focus on the future. Because that future starts tomorrow.

On Wednesday night, Seton Hall faces off against Marquette in the first round of the Big East tournament. It will be the third time the Hall faces the Golden Eagles this season, and there’s quite a lot of bad blood between these squads.

Despite the fact that Seton Hall lost both meetings, there’s reason to be optimistic. After squandering a big lead against RU, the Hall is a team with some unfinished business. Seniors Jamar and Brian deserved to be sent off with a win, and the team failed to deliver. Well, you can bet the Hall will do everything in their power to turn things around in NYC.

Gary Cohen, Dave Popkin Will Seton Hall to Victory

Wow. Wowsers. Wow-a-mania. Whatever form you choose, one thing is unanimous – what a game. Seton Hall traveled down to South Florida tonight (which is actually not located in southern Florida but is instead on the western coast of the state) and literally turned off the lights as they won 79-75.

Led all night by the unconscious performances of senior captains Brian Laing and Jamar Nutter, Seton Hall turned to their big man Johnny Garcia down the stretch to lead them to victory. Not even a state-wide power outage could stop Johnny as he out muscled and out milked USF big man, Kentrelle Gransberry. Not only did Cherry post his fifth double-double of the season, but something about that Florida sun transformed him into the second coming of Reggie Miller as he sank two free throws late in the game to help seal the deal for the Hall.

Unfortunately, Ben and I were unable to actually see the game as Time Warner Cable looked more like Nunu on the fast break than a legitimate cable company, so we had to turn to our trusted friends the Honorable Gary Cohen and Sir Dave Popkin. So while Ben was busy frolicking around, tossing ping pong balls into plastic cups during the first half, I was strapped to my seat listening to the gospel of Gary and Dave. And what a sermon it was – Gary delivered his usual poignant play-by-play and Dave added his timely game analysis. Because of them, I was able to survive this television blackout.

Next step: the Pirates take their ship into the Red Storm of St. John’s as they look to get closer to clinching a bid to the Big East Tournament. Afterwards, perhaps an afterparty with Davis and Hazell at Galway Hooker? They may be attending…

Lessons for Life

Well, we’re back. It was one of the greatest roadtrips of all time, and now we must resume our daily routine. Get up, feed the crayfish, go to work, come home, feed the crayfish, then dream all night about Seton Hall…

But it’s important not to forget the lessons we learned while in West Virginia, because those lessons were critical.

Lesson #1: Visit parts of the country that tourists never visit.

Dave and I were not tourists in West Virginia – we were West Virginians. While we were there, we completely immersed ourselves in the culture, everything from attending a Morgantown high school musical production of High School Musical, to catching a ride back to our hotel with the pizza delivery boy (or was he truly a man?). We rode Rt. 250 at sunset. We met Bob Huggins in a bar (twice). All in all, it was the experience of a lifetime.

Lesson #2: Always carry a pen.

The number of autographs we received on this journey was nothing short of staggering. Bob Huggins, yes, but nearly the entire Seton Hall team as well!!! Armed with a pen he found in the lobby, and his two functional arms, Dave successfully waved down player after player and convinced each to sign his Waterfront Plaza Hotel notepad. If Dave hadn’t found that pen, would the signatures even exist? If Marty’s parents hadn’t kissed at the Under the Sea dance, would he even exist?!?!?!

Lesson #3: Mike Davis must have done something stupid during warm-ups.

Mike Davis must have done something stupid during warm-ups. You know how we know this? Because he didn’t play the entire game. Not a single minute. And he was listed as a starter on the scoreboard just a couple seconds before tip-off. Also, he could have potentially helped Seton Hall a lot in that game, as West Virginia doesn’t have that many big bodies to match up against the 6’10 Davis. (Except perhaps Jamie Smalligan, whose last name sums up the lilliputian aspect of his game). My guess is that Gonzo wanted to send Davis a message (in a bottle?)

Lesson #4: Crayfish should be fed multiple times per day.

Although technically “unnecessary,” and “potentially harmful for the PH level of the tank,” it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

So with these lessons learned, we now look forward to the next game. Seton Hall is desperate for a win in this upcoming contest for Depaul, and you can bet Depaul is going to be hungry as well after losing a squeaker against UConn. Expect an epic battle in this match-up of major Big East tournament implications.

Nova Wins on Last Second Shot

Coming into this game, Dave and I weren’t feeling too confident. So we decided to change up our routine. Instead of our trademark Gonzone t-shirts, we wore street clothes. Instead of watching the game in our cramped apartment, we watched the game at Dave’s friend’s place a couple blocks away. Instead of listening to the game on 770 WABC, we turned up the volume on Dave’s friend’s television, creating an arena-like atmosphere, which later drew complaints from the elderly neighbors, which was a very PAC 10 move.

Despite our best efforts to mix things up, however, the outcome sadly remained the same: another loss for the Hall, their third in a row. There were a number of positive takeaways from the game, nonetheless.

Firstly, Seton Hall is back to playing quality basketball. Even though they lost, this looked like the team that literally turned people’s heads. Sure, they didn’t shoot well from outside, but they drove strong to the basket, and the ball movement was very good. “Big city” Nunu proved yet again that he shows up for the big games.

Secondly, Mike Davis is a stud. Yes, he should have dunked that rebound put-back instead of attempting a Karl Malone-esque teardrop of a fadeaway from right under the hoop, but he’ll learn to be more aggressive. The bottom line is this: Davis has great hands for a big man, and if he stays healthy, he’ll be the center of the future for this squad.

Thrice, the team played very well without Gause. True, they didn’t get as many steals as they usually do, but the energy was great.

Quatrain, the Hall showed that they can score without senior Brian Laing. During the first half, Laing was struggling to get in a rhythm, but Harvey, Nutter, and Hazell all made major contributions. The question is, will the Hall be able to get rebounds after he graduates (with distinction?)

So, all-in-all, a very tough loss. A number of balls rimmed out for the Hall, and Nova shot the lights out from deep. I like how they played though, and I’m feeling good looking forward to Marquette.

Hall Falls Hard to Notre Dame

After the Georgetown game, I was disappointed. After tonight’s game against Our Lady of Notre Dame, I was disgusted.

In a match-up against the #22 team in the country, Seton Hall was completely outplayed. With no answer for the Notre Dame big man inside, and with Harvey lackadaisically guarding outside shooters, the Hall gave up an atrocious 95 points. It was a truly dismal defensive effort, exacerbated by an injury to one of the Hall’s best defensive players, Paul Gause. After sitting out a number of games earlier this season with a hand injury, Gause may very likely miss some more time – he drove hard to lane midway through the first half and landed awkwardly on his left knee. He would not return.

The Rock was sold out tonight, and the crowd wanted to rally behind Seton Hall. There was simply very little to cheer about. Hazell was the lone bright spot for the squad, picking up 5 steals in Gause’s absence and getting to the line consistently.

There were a number of aspects that made this game highly unusual. For starters, St. Augustine got the start!! After editing our friend details on Facebook only a few hours before, Okosun would be going head-to-head with Brother Luke. And for the most part, Okosun played well. He needs to do a better job catching the ball, but he brings athleticism and energy.

Secondly, Walters appeared in the game! Granted, he really only played during garbage time, as well as a few minutes in the first half, but he was actually fairly effective. He ended with 5 points, and it was nice to see the bench cheering him on.

Finally, Eugene. Oh, Eugene. “Nunu,” as we like to call him, is truly one of the smoothest point guards in the Big East. Not as quick as most point guards, Nunu has a nasty crossover and dribble step which allows him to glide to the tin with ease. Unfortunately, Harvey has a habit of not always finishing. St. Benedict’s coach Bobby Hurley has an expression: backboard, or dunk. The point is this: if you’re not going to dunk it, you’re best advised to use the glass. As a St. Benedict’s alumnus, it’s simply unconscionable that Harvey misses as many lay-ups as he does. Harvey, if you’re listening, please, I implore you: teach Okosun how to catch the ball, and maybe he’ll teach you how to bank-jam.

CAPITAL CITY

After winning five consecutive Big East conference games, the Hall now heads to the nation’s capital to tackle the biggest Goliath of them all: G-town. It’s a match-up that only a couple weeks ago had “BLOWOUT” written all over it. Well, Las Vegas, I hope you write your predictions in pencil, because one thing is certain: erasable pens don’t actually work.

Hey, call me crazy. Call me “Cray,” even. (The name of our crayfish.) And maybe I am. But this I know for certain: I’m going to this game. Fortunately, I have a lot of family members in the area I can stay with, many of which I haven’t seen in quite some time.

Will they recognize me in my Gonzone shirt? Will they recognize the man I’ve become? Would former Seton Hall head coach Louis Orr even recognize Brian Laing, the scrawny forward he recruited five years ago from St. Raymond’s who has blossomed into a legitimate NBA prospect, BIG EAST player-of-the-year contender? Brian…is that you?

So I hope you’re listening DC! Prepare yourself, because the Hall is coming, and so am I.

SHU - Rutgers

It is only fitting that our adventure begins with a truly epic battle: Rutgers vs. Seton Hall.

Tonight's match-up takes on mammoth importance for a number reasons. First, both Rutgers and Seton Hall are coming in to the game playing their best basketball of the year. Rutgers is looking to sustain the momentum it gained with big victories against Nova and Pitt, while Seton Hall is looking to gain their 5th straight Big East win. If Rutgers wins, they're one win closer to a spot in the Big East tournament. If the Hall wins, they further solidify their position among the elite teams in the conference.

But while the game has huge implications for this season, its realimpact might be felt more on the seasons to come. With a number of NewYork metropolitan recruits still undecided, this game becomes ineffect an all-out slugfest for the best talent in the state. You can be sure that all the big names (Cheek, Evans, Kilpatrick, etc) will be tuning in for this one.

Some factors to watch for:

- Rumor has it that Seton Hall junior captain Paul Gause may be suiting up tonight after missing about a month with a broken knuckle on his hand. If so, it should bolster Seton Hall's press, thus forcing turnovers against this young RU backcourt.

- How will Hazell rebound? After a sub-par scoring effort against Cincinnati this past weekend, and the initial sting of receiving a jersey with his name misspelled, will Hazell be able to stroke the three with confidence? While no doubt a sharpshooter, Hazell's game ranges beyond just the outside shot -- look for him to pump fake and drive against the Rutgers defense.

- Can Garcia walk? During the Cincinnati game, center John Garcia was frequently wincing in pain, and struggling even to take the floor. He's not exactly the most mobile big man to begin with, but his post moves on the offensive end give the Hall a great look inside. If Garcia struggles as he did this past weekend, look for Mike Davis to step up against N'diaye.

- As the starting point guard, "Nunu" Harvey is the leader of this squad, and he needs to start better exerting that leadership. You can bet the RAC is going to be pretty rowdy-- it's important that Harvey settle his team down, and set a good example by making his freethrows.

Prediction?

Seton Hall 79

Rutgers 75

Welcome to the Gonzone

Welcome to the Gonzone – home of all things Seton Hall Basketball. As new members to the Blogosphere, we are excited to share with you, our devoted readers, our thoughts about Seton Hall Basketball, the BIG EAST, recruiting, and of course, Gonzo.

Before reading further, however, it's important that you first understand the back story that has led to the creation of this blog, as it will help you better appreciate its significance.

For the last twenty-two years of our respective lives, my roommate and I have been searching for something. We didn't realize it during those years -- we could not fully comprehend the extent of our dissatisfaction and general lack of fulfillment. But then something at once magical and terrifying happened: we discovered our passion --nay, obsession -- for Seton Hall basketball.

Like any obsession, ours is not entirely healthy. It has come at the expense of relationships; other interests. But so far the reward has far outweighed all sacrifice.

Not unlike John Garcia's surgically repaired knee, there's a lot riding on this. We hope you will join us in this legendary adventure.