Seton Hall’s offense remains a work in progress but coach Shaheen Holloway appreciates the defense being played by his new roster.
Held under 60 points through each of their first four games, the Pirates (2-2) also allowed fewer than 60 each time out. Holloway hopes to see his team combine both elements Thursday against VCU (4-0) in the opening round of the Charleston Classic in South Carolina.
“When you come in with a new group, the first thing you gotta do is establish something,” Holloway said. “And in this culture, it’s our defense, so that’s what I established this summer with them.”
After taking a pair of one-point losses to Fordham and Hofstra, the Pirates allowed 23.9 percent shooting in its 54-28 rout of Wagner on Saturday in their on-campus gym.
Despite the defense emerging quicker than an offense that is shooting 38.4 percent, Chaunce Jenkins is averaging 14.8 points so far after transferring from Old Dominion. He scored 16 against Wagner and has been in double figures three times.
“We’ve still got to sharpen up our offense,” Jenkins said. “Obviously we’ve got 10 new guys and we’re still learning each other offensively.”
VCU (4-0) will represent the most potent offense Seton Hall has faced yet, as the perennial Atlantic 10 stalwart is averaging 77.5 points so far with four double-digit wins.
The Rams posted their most lopsided win on Saturday when they rolled to an 83-57 defeat of Loyola Maryland. Jack Clark scored 25 points, Joe Bamisile added 22 and Max Shulga finished with 20 to become the school’s first trio to score at least 20 in the same game in 14 years.
Bamisile has scored at least 18 in each game so far. Clark had his big game after scoring 26 in his first three games and Shulga scored 20 after going 2-of-12 in his previous two contests.
Seton Hall represents a step up in competition for the Rams.
“They’re a well-coached team who’s really hungry and a tough matchup for anybody,” VCU coach Ryan Odom said. “They control the game with their defense and how they play on that end of the court.”
