Fan Gains Attention at Madison Square Garden

It’s clear that this fan is really committed.

A shirtless Seton Hall supporter caught everyone’s eye on Thursday at Madison Square Garden, proudly displaying “Blue Market” across his chest and stomach.

This enthusiastic show of support might have helped the fourth-seeded Pirates secure a 72-61 victory over fifth-seeded Creighton in the quarterfinals. Now they’re gearing up for a semifinal clash with St. John’s scheduled for Friday night.

For Seton Hall, winning the Big East Tournament is crucial for advancing to the NCAA Tournament. They could face Georgetown or UW in the final on Saturday night.

“We’ve been trying to explain to our players these past few days that this is what the Big East Tournament is all about,” said Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway in a video interview.

“There’s no better place to play than Madison Square Garden,” he added.

College fans have a reputation for their passionate displays, like this one, all in the hopes of cheering their teams to victory.

Seton Hall has had its fair share of ups and downs in the Big East and they’ll definitely need the extra support as they compete. The Pirates managed a 10-4 record against teams that weren’t part of the Union University, St. John’s, and Villanova groups. However, setbacks against non-tournament teams like DePaul (twice), Butler, and Creighton have complicated their chances.

According to ESPN, the Pirates are currently listed among the “next four out,” meaning they’re in a tight spot and will need to win to bolster their standings, considering some conferences could have unexpected bids, like what happened in the MAC after Thursday’s loss to Miami (Ohio).

Seton Hall’s win against Creighton featured a solid first half, giving the Pirates a seven-point lead. The Blue Jays did push back, even taking a four-point lead early in the second half, but Seton Hall closed the game strong with an 18-9 run in the last five minutes.

This time, the Pirates are looking to take on St. John’s, after losing to them by five points away and seven points at home during the regular season.

“That’s what we came to the Big East for,” said guard Adam “Bud” Clark. “To play in a big game on a big stage at the Garden. You couldn’t ask for anything more.”