Seton Hall looks to regain ground in rematch vs. Butler
Shaheen Holloway's makeover of Seton Hall after a dismal 7-25 season has been an unquestioned success. The Pirates rolled to a 14-2 start and achieved a Top 25 ranking for the first time since 2022.
Since then, however, the Pirates (17-8, 7-7 Big East) have labored. They've fallen to No. 53 in the NET Rankings and seen their hopes fade for an NCAA Tournament berth.
In the midst of playing four straight games against teams in the bottom six of the Big East, Seton Hall has a chance to put together a late resume-building winning streak.
Next up is a matchup with struggling Butler (13-12, 4-10) on Sunday in Indianapolis.
It is a chance for the Pirates to avenge perhaps their worst loss this season, 77-66, at home four weeks ago as they surrendered 25 points to Finley Bizjack.
That defeat came amid a four-game losing streak. Since then, Seton Hall has won three of five behind Adam Clark. During the run, Clark has averaged 22.4 points and 5.0 assists per game.
His best performance of the year came Wednesday in an 87-80 victory at home over Providence, as he scored 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting and delivered eight assists and five steals.
"Just being more confident, being more efficient," Clark said. "Just trying to find ways to win."
While Seton Hall has found a second gear, Butler has been riddled by injuries and lost five straight, each by double-digit margins.
In an 80-70 defeat Wednesday at home against No. 6 UConn, the Bulldogs' two most productive players were ineffective.
Bizjack took just six shots from the floor and scored a season-low five points. Meanwhile, Big East rebounding leader Michael Ajayi provided seven points and a season-low five rebounds.
After suffering an apparent arm injury late in the game, Bizjack's status is uncertain, though Friday on 107.5 The Fan, coach Thad Matta ruled out a broken wrist.
"We'll go with what we got, which is nine guys right now. The other night against UConn, I think we used six different guys at the point guard position," Matta said. "We've got to be creative."
Seton Hall lost the first meeting with Butler despite a 45-27 edge on the boards, led by Najai Hines (11 points, 16 rebounds).