In four minutes, Seton Hall reminded every future opponent what can happen in 40. In four minutes, the Pirates demonstrated the damage the senior-led crew can still do come March.
When Seton Hall fell from No. 13 in the country to just another unranked team, it became easy to forget. When the Pirates recently lost three of four games, it punctured the notion that this team might be special, and that a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance might simply mean a third straight first-round exit.
More than midway through the first half of Wednesday’s game against Providence, Seton Hall trailed by two, struggling to separate itself from another second-tier Big East team. But four minutes later, the Pirates looked capable of hoisting another trophy in Madison Square Garden next month, going on a 19-0 run, and securing an impressive 73-57 win at the Prudential Center.
Led by the near-flawless play of senior guard Khadeen Carrington, who had 23 points (9-of-14 shooting), with seven assists and one turnover, Seton Hall (17-5, 6-3) improved to 12-1 at home, and next gets a crack at No. 1 Villanova on Sunday.
“We fell off track a little bit, we had to come back together as a group, and now we’re showing everybody how good we really are,” Ismael Sanogo said. “We’re one of the better teams in the country.”
The Pirates trailed for less than two minutes of the game, last coming when Maliek White hit a 3-pointer with 8:33 left in the first half to give the Friars (14-8, 5-4) a 19-17 lead. The crowd grew quiet — and then Seton Hall’s ceiling was revealed.
Myles Powell yanked back the lead with a 3-pointer, the first of four straight shots from deep, including a pair from Carrington — the second off an offensive rebound, and kickout by Mike Nzei — and one from Desi Rodriguez. Angel Delgado added back-to-back baskets, and Rodriguez then converted a three-point play.
“We had to crush them. Don’t let them up,” Sanogo said. “It’s exhilarating. Everybody’s touching the ball, everybody’s scoring, everything was just clicking. If perfection was a feeling, it’d be that.”
Suddenly, Seton Hall led 36-19, and the defense was closing every available lane, as if inspired by former governor Chris Christie. The Pirates allowed a season-best 26 points in the first half, and held Providence’s starting backcourt of Kyron Cartwright and Jalen Lindsey scoreless all night.
“That’s when we’re playing our best, when we’re not worrying about numbers, and who is doing what, as long as it’s getting done,” Powell said. “Everybody playing hard, I feel like we’re unstoppable.”
Providence got no closer than 12 in the second half, as the Pirates shot nearly 50 percent from the field, and made nine 3-pointers, with Delgado posting his latest double-double (13 points, 14 rebounds).
Carrington was as brilliant as he’s been since moving to the point this season, attacking like he was still the team’s leading scorer, and leading like someone more interested in feeding his teammates, than his own hot hand.
“If [Carrington] plays like that, they’re a really, really tough out,” Providence coach Ed Cooley said.
Everyone has been reminded.