Seton Hall’s Surprising Success in the Big East Tournament

Maybe this marks the start of something special for Seton Hall.

On a lovely Thursday afternoon, the team, which surprised many by finishing fourth in the Big East despite pre-season predictions placing them last, secured a spot in the Big East Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2019.

What happened next was pretty remarkable; the Pirates claimed a 72-61 win over No. 5 Creighton in the quarterfinals.

Jacob Darr, who transferred from Rice and had been averaging just 2.4 points this season, really stepped up, scoring 16 points in only 15 minutes of play.

It’s worth noting that he had recorded just 13 points in the previous nine games. The 6-foot-7 wing even sank two 3-pointers—an impressive feat considering he had matched that total in the entire season before this game.

“It was amazing,” Dahl said, having also grabbed five rebounds. “My coaches and teammates trust me, so I just went out there and played my hardest. It really pays off.”

Currently, Seton Hall (21-11) might need to win the Big East Tournament to move on to the NCAA Tournament.

But still, the momentum for the Pirates seems strong as they prepare for their next game. They might not have won against the league’s top teams, St. John’s and Connecticut, earlier, but those games were close—four losses that could easily have gone the other way.

Now, they face the Johnny’s once again this Friday night.

“This is why we’re here in the Big East,” Seton Hall point guard Adam “Bud” Clark stated. “We came to play on this big stage at the Garden. It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Clark had a remarkable game himself, helping Seton Hall recover from a shaky moment when Creighton narrowed the gap to just two points with 5:19 left. He finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Recognized as an All-Big East second-team selection, Clark showcased his talent well during his debut season in the league.

“What’s impressive about Bud is how he played through a shoulder injury,” Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway commented. “He brought passion, heart, and determination—just like I did. It’s great to see people overlook him due to his size.”