Seton Hall Romps Over New Haven

Newark, N.J. – Seton Hall was looking to head into the Maui Invitational with a dominant, confidence-boosting win over New Haven — and they delivered exactly that. From the opening tip, Coach Shaheen Holloway orchestrated a sharp, disciplined game plan, featuring well-timed sets and cohesive ball movement that kept New Haven on its heels. Stephon Payne III (6'9''-F) and TJ Simpkins played pivotal roles, providing steady production and energy that sparked runs on both ends of the floor. Their impact, combined with the team’s overall defensive intensity, allowed Seton Hall to control the pace and dictate the flow throughout the night. In the end, the Pirates’ complete team effort paved the way for a convincing 68–45 victory, sending them to Maui with momentum and a clearer sense of identity.

Stephon Payne III delivered his best performance yet in a Seton Hall uniform, recording his first double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting. He was heavily featured early in the Pirates’ game plan, consistently high-pointing entry passes and finishing above the defense for easy baskets. Payne completely controlled the glass, pulling down nearly everything in his area and preventing New Haven from generating second-chance opportunities. Defensively, he anchored Seton Hall’s pick-and-roll coverage, stepping up to contain ball handlers, allowing teammates to recover, and rotating back in time to deny clean passes to the roller. From start to finish, Payne played a pivotal role in the Pirates’ dominance and was a driving force behind their convincing win.

Another major difference-maker in the Pirates’ dominant win was Elon transfer TJ Simpkins, who delivered his best performance yet in a Seton Hall uniform. In 27 highly impactful minutes, Simpkins poured in 18 points on an ultra-efficient 6-of-8 from the field, including a scorching 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. From the moment he stepped on the floor, he played with complete command, taking whatever the defense gave him and punishing every lapse. He knocked down both open and heavily contested threes, attacked downhill with purpose, and showed the ability to finish through contact at the rim. On the defensive end, Simpkins continued to make his presence felt. He added a steal and a block, but his impact extended far beyond the box score. His closeouts were disciplined and disruptive, and he consistently slid his feet to stay in front of ball handlers, preventing penetration and forcing tougher shots. His energy, poise, and two-way production gave Seton Hall a significant boost whenever he was on the floor. Simpkins’ 18-point outburst was one of the clearest signs yet of how valuable he can be to this Pirates team moving forward—and fans are hopeful that this level of play becomes a staple of his impact throughout the season.

Before heading to Maui to face NC State in their first game on Monday, one area that clearly needs tightening is Seton Hall’s perimeter defense. The Pirates currently rank 326th out of 365 Division I teams in opponent three-point percentage, allowing opponents to shoot a concerning 38.1% from deep. And while New Haven finished just 29% from beyond the arc tonight, many of those attempts were uncontested or lightly challenged.

Against a high-level offensive team like NC State, those types of lapses will be punished. The Wolfpack have multiple shooters who thrive on rhythm looks and giving them clean catch-and-shoot opportunities will make coming away with a win significantly more difficult. Even on contested attempts, Seton Hall’s closeouts lacked urgency — defenders often raised a hand without elevating or fully committing to disrupting the shot. The good news for the Pirates is that this is a correctable issue, and given Shaheen Holloway’s emphasis on defensive toughness, there’s every reason to believe the staff will address it before the trip. But if Seton Hall wants to compete in Maui, cleaning up their perimeter contests will be a must.

Overall, Seton Hall’s performance against New Haven was exactly the kind of complete showing they needed before heading into one of the nation’s toughest early-season tournaments. With standout performances from Payne and Simpkins, improved ball movement, and strong interior defense, the Pirates showcased the potential of a team that is beginning to find its rhythm. Still, the upcoming matchup against NC State will demand sharper discipline on the perimeter and a full 40-minute effort. If Holloway’s group can build on the momentum from tonight while addressing their defensive lapses, Seton Hall will head into the Maui Invitational not just confident, but fully capable of making some noise on the national stage.

This article was written by William Murphy, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball.