Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball
Encyclopedia
The Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball program is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball program of Seton Hall University
in South Orange
, New Jersey
. The team competes in the Big East Conference
and plays their home games in the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
.
in 1936. During an 18-year span, the Pirates racked up a 295-129 record that included a undefeated 19-0 record in 1930-40 as part of a 41-game unbeaten streak. Walsh Gymnasium
was opened in 1941 to permanently house the basketball team and featured one of the best Seton Hall teams of all time, termed the "Wonder Five", which led by All-American Bob Davies, earned the school's first NIT
bid in 1941. Following World War II
, the Pirates were led by stars Frank Saul
and Bobby Wanzer
and regularly played games at Madison Square Garden
. The peak of this era occurred in 1953 when Richie Regan
and Walter Dukes
defeated rival St. John's University
for the NIT title
. Perhaps the low point for the team occurred in 1961 when a point shaving
scandal sullied the program, but the Pirates rebounded to return to the NIT in 1974 under coach Bill Raftery
. Seton Hall became a charter member of the Big East Conference
in 1979.
The high point of the Big East era for the Hall came when P. J. Carlesimo was hired in 1982 and the team began playing in the Meadowlands Arena. By 1988, Carlesimo led the Pirates to the school's first NCAA tournament
appearance, and in 1989, he led the Hall to an unexpected tournament run to the NCAA Championship game
, where they were defeated by Michigan
in overtime. Success under Carlesimo continued with a Big East Tournament Championship
and an Elite Eight
appearance in 1991, a regular season Big East Championship and Sweet Sixteen appearance in 1992
, and Big East Regular Season and Big East Tournament Championships in 1993
. Carlesimo left to coach in the NBA following the 1993-94 season, but Seton Hall returned to the Sweet Sixteen in 2000
guided by coach Tommy Amaker
, and appeared in the NCAA tournament in 2004 and 2006 coached by Louis Orr
. In 2006-07, Bobby Gonzalez
was hired to lead the Pirates, which moved its home games into the Prudential Center in 2007. Gonzalez has a 47-46 record at Seton Hall through the 2008-09 season. Gonzalez was fired after the 09-10 after and first round NIT loss to Texas Tech. Seton Hall hired new coach Kevin Willard for the '10-'11 season.
NCAA appearances (9): 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2004, 2006
All-Time NCAA Record: 15-9
NIT appearances (16): 1941, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1974, 1977, 1987, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2010
All-Time NIT Record: 7-16
Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame
Consensus All-Americans
Big East Player of the Year
Big East Coach of the Year
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
in South Orange
South Orange, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,964 people, 5,522 households, and 3,766 families residing in the township. The population density was 5,945.3 people per square mile . There were 5,671 housing units at an average density of 1,987.5 per square mile...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. The team competes in the Big East Conference
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
and plays their home games in the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
.
History
Seton Hall first season of basketball occurred in 1903-04, but the school did not field a team again until 1908-09, the year in which the university achieved their first winning season. The school adopted the Pirate mascot in 1931, and the teams soon gained national prominence with the arrival of John "Honey" RussellJohn Russell (basketball)
John "Honey" Russell was an American basketball player and coach born in Brooklyn, New York. He turned professional after his sophomore year of high school, playing for numerous early 20th century pro teams, including many in the American Basketball League...
in 1936. During an 18-year span, the Pirates racked up a 295-129 record that included a undefeated 19-0 record in 1930-40 as part of a 41-game unbeaten streak. Walsh Gymnasium
Walsh Gymnasium
Walsh Gymnasium is a multi-purpose arena in South Orange, New Jersey. The arena opened in 1939 and can seat 2,600 people. It was home to the Seton Hall University Pirates men's basketball team before they moved to Continental Airlines Arena and then the Prudential Center...
was opened in 1941 to permanently house the basketball team and featured one of the best Seton Hall teams of all time, termed the "Wonder Five", which led by All-American Bob Davies, earned the school's first NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
bid in 1941. Following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Pirates were led by stars Frank Saul
Frank Saul (basketball)
Frank Benjamin Saul is a retired American National Basketball Association player.Saul won four consecutive NBA championships with the Rochester Royals in 1951 and with the Minneapolis Lakers from 1952 to 1954...
and Bobby Wanzer
Bobby Wanzer
Robert Francis Wanzer, also known as "Hooks" Wanzer is a former basketball player and coach. A 6'0" guard, he played collegiately at Seton Hall University, and was selected by the Rochester Royals in 1947...
and regularly played games at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
. The peak of this era occurred in 1953 when Richie Regan
Richie Regan
Richard Joseph Regan was an American basketball player and coach.The 6'2" Regan played collegiately at Seton Hall University during the early 1950s. His team made three consecutive appearances in the National Invitation Tournament, winning in 1953. After graduation, he was selected by the...
and Walter Dukes
Walter Dukes
Walter F. Dukes was a center for the New York Knickerbockers , Minneapolis Lakers and Detroit Pistons ....
defeated rival St. John's University
St. John's Red Storm men's basketball
The St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team represents the St. John's University in Queens, New York. The team participates in the Big East Conference. The men’s coach Norm Roberts was fired on March 19, 2010...
for the NIT title
1953 National Invitation Tournament
The 1953 National Invitation Tournament was the 1953 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 12 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket....
. Perhaps the low point for the team occurred in 1961 when a point shaving
Point shaving
In organized sports, point shaving is a type of match fixing where the perpetrators try to prevent a team from covering a published point spread. Unlike other forms of match fixing, sports betting invariably motivates point shaving. A point shaving scheme generally involves a sports gambler and one...
scandal sullied the program, but the Pirates rebounded to return to the NIT in 1974 under coach Bill Raftery
Bill Raftery
Bill Raftery is an American basketball analyst and play-by-play announcer and former college basketball coach.-High School:...
. Seton Hall became a charter member of the Big East Conference
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
in 1979.
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
appearance, and in 1989, he led the Hall to an unexpected tournament run to the NCAA Championship game
1989 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1989 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 16, 1989, and ended with the championship game on April 3 in Seattle, Washington...
, where they were defeated by Michigan
Michigan Wolverines men's basketball
The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Michigan. The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Wolverines play home basketball games at the...
in overtime. Success under Carlesimo continued with a Big East Tournament Championship
1991 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament
The 1991 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, from March 7 to March 10, 1991. Its winner received the Big East Conference's automatic bid to the 1991 NCAA Tournament. It is a single-elimination tournament with four rounds...
and an Elite Eight
Elite Eight
The term Elite Eight, or less commonly called "Great Eight", refers to the final eight teams in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship or the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship; and, thus, represents the national quarterfinals. In Division I, the Elite Eight consists of the...
appearance in 1991, a regular season Big East Championship and Sweet Sixteen appearance in 1992
1992 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1992 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 19, 1992, and ended with the championship game on April 6 in Minneapolis, Minnesota...
, and Big East Regular Season and Big East Tournament Championships in 1993
1993 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament
The 1993 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, from March 11 to March 14, 1993. Its winner received the Big East Conference's automatic bid to the 1993 NCAA Tournament. It is a single-elimination tournament with four rounds...
. Carlesimo left to coach in the NBA following the 1993-94 season, but Seton Hall returned to the Sweet Sixteen in 2000
2000 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2000 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 16, 2000, and ended with the championship game on April 3 in Indianapolis, Indiana...
guided by coach Tommy Amaker
Tommy Amaker
Harold Tommy Amaker is the current head coach of the Harvard University men's basketball team. He has also served as head basketball coach for the University of Michigan men's basketball team and at Seton Hall University. He played point guard and later served as an assistant coach at Duke...
, and appeared in the NCAA tournament in 2004 and 2006 coached by Louis Orr
Louis Orr
Louis M. Orr is an American men's college basketball coach. Orr became the 15th men's basketball head coach at Bowling Green State University on April 4, 2007, replacing Dan Dakich whose contract ran out following the 2006-2007 season. Orr was the head coach at Seton Hall University from April 4,...
. In 2006-07, Bobby Gonzalez
Bobby Gonzalez
Bobby Gonzalez is the former head coach of the Seton Hall University Pirates men's basketball team. Gonzalez was previously the head coach at Manhattan College and was well known for leading the Jaspers to two NCAA tournaments and the second NCAA tournament win in school history.Gonzalez had...
was hired to lead the Pirates, which moved its home games into the Prudential Center in 2007. Gonzalez has a 47-46 record at Seton Hall through the 2008-09 season. Gonzalez was fired after the 09-10 after and first round NIT loss to Texas Tech. Seton Hall hired new coach Kevin Willard for the '10-'11 season.
NCAA Tournament
Final Fours (1): 1989NCAA appearances (9): 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2004, 2006
All-Time NCAA Record: 15-9
NIT Tournament
NIT Champions: 1953NIT appearances (16): 1941, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1974, 1977, 1987, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2010
All-Time NIT Record: 7-16
Honors
Basketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, honors exceptional basketball players, coaches, referees, executives, and other major contributors to the game of basketball worldwide...
- Bob Davies, player
- John "Honey" RussellJohn Russell (basketball)John "Honey" Russell was an American basketball player and coach born in Brooklyn, New York. He turned professional after his sophomore year of high school, playing for numerous early 20th century pro teams, including many in the American Basketball League...
, player/coach - Bobby WanzerBobby WanzerRobert Francis Wanzer, also known as "Hooks" Wanzer is a former basketball player and coach. A 6'0" guard, he played collegiately at Seton Hall University, and was selected by the Rochester Royals in 1947...
, player
Inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame
FIBA Hall of Fame
FIBA Hall of Fame honors basketball players, coaches and administrators who have contributed to international competitive basketball. It was established by FIBA in 1991. It includes the "Samaranch Library", the biggest basketball library in the world that, as of 2007, has over 10,000 basketball...
- Nick GalisNick GalisNikolaos Georgalis , commonly known as either Nikos Galis , or Nick Galis , is a retired Greek professional basketball player...
, player
Consensus All-Americans
- 1993 Terry DehereTerry DehereLennox Dominique "Terry" Dehere is an American Democratic Party politician, restauranteur and retired NBA basketball player....
- 1953 Walter DukesWalter DukesWalter F. Dukes was a center for the New York Knickerbockers , Minneapolis Lakers and Detroit Pistons ....
- 1942 Bob Davies
Big East Player of the Year
- 1992-93 Terry DehereTerry DehereLennox Dominique "Terry" Dehere is an American Democratic Party politician, restauranteur and retired NBA basketball player....
- 1981-82 Dan CallandrilloDan CallandrilloDan Callandrillo is a former professional basketball player who for the Rochester Zeniths in the American Continental Basketball Association in 1983 and the Solent Stars of the British Basketball League in 1985...
Big East Coach of the Year
- 2002-03 Louis OrrLouis OrrLouis M. Orr is an American men's college basketball coach. Orr became the 15th men's basketball head coach at Bowling Green State University on April 4, 2007, replacing Dan Dakich whose contract ran out following the 2006-2007 season. Orr was the head coach at Seton Hall University from April 4,...
- 1988-89 P. J. Carlesimo
- 1987-88 P. J. Carlesimo
Retired numbers
- #3 Frank SaulFrank Saul (basketball)Frank Benjamin Saul is a retired American National Basketball Association player.Saul won four consecutive NBA championships with the Rochester Royals in 1951 and with the Minneapolis Lakers from 1952 to 1954...
- #5 Walter DukesWalter DukesWalter F. Dukes was a center for the New York Knickerbockers , Minneapolis Lakers and Detroit Pistons ....
- #8 Bobby WanzerBobby WanzerRobert Francis Wanzer, also known as "Hooks" Wanzer is a former basketball player and coach. A 6'0" guard, he played collegiately at Seton Hall University, and was selected by the Rochester Royals in 1947...
- #11 Bob Davies
- #12 Richie ReganRichie ReganRichard Joseph Regan was an American basketball player and coach.The 6'2" Regan played collegiately at Seton Hall University during the early 1950s. His team made three consecutive appearances in the National Invitation Tournament, winning in 1953. After graduation, he was selected by the...
- #24 Terry DehereTerry DehereLennox Dominique "Terry" Dehere is an American Democratic Party politician, restauranteur and retired NBA basketball player....
- #34 Glenn MosleyGlenn Mosley (basketball)Glenn E. "Smiles" Mosley was an American professional basketball for the Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association . Ellis played in the league for just the and seasons and averaged 3.1 points 2.2 rebounds per game...
- #44 Nick WerkmanNick WerkmanNicholas "Nick" G. Werkman III is an American former basketball player for the Seton Hall Pirates of South Orange, New Jersey. In just three seasons, Nick "The Quick" Werkman compiled 2,273 points and 1,036 rebounds and is currently one of only four players in Seton Hall University history to score...
See also
- NCAA Men's Division I Final Four appearances by coachesNCAA Men's Division I Final Four appearances by coachesThis is a list of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Regional Championships by coach. The current names of the NCAA Tournament regions are the East, Southeast, Southwest, and West...
- NCAA Men's Division I Final Four appearances by schoolNCAA Men's Division I Final Four appearances by schoolThis is a list of NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Final Four appearances by school. Schools whose names are italicized are no longer in Division I and can no longer be included in the tournament. Several teams have vacated Final Four appearances and are marked with an * with...
External links
- Seton Hall Pirates Basketball official website