Seton Hall will try to break a four-game series losing streak against Creighton when it hosts the Bluejays on Friday night in Newark, N.J.
The Pirates (13-7, 4-6 Big East) also are trying to right their season, having lost two straight and four of five before they posted a 70-63 road win over lowly Georgetown on Tuesday.
But Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard remains upbeat.
“Unfortunately, we’re 4-6″ in the conference,” Willard said in a post-game radio interview on 970-AM New York. “The way I look at it, we’re 4-4.”
Willard is referring to COVID-short-handed losses to Providence and Villanova.
“I know the world doesn’t it look at it that way,” he added, “but that’s kind of the way I’ve been explaining it to the guys. I think that’s why their attitude has been real good.”
Willard praised Kadary Richmond, who had struggled in his first three games as the primary ballhandler without Bryce Aiken, who has missed four consecutive games in concussion protocol. Richmond had 12 points, seven assists and only two turnovers against the Hoyas.
“Kooks (Richmond) played one of his better games,” Willard said.
Willard playfully threw down the gauntlet to Creighton coach Greg McDermott, saying, “I know Mac likes to play up and down, but we will walk that thing up on Friday.”
Willard said Jamir Harris, who left Tuesday’s game with a shoulder injury, is “OK” and he told the Asbury Park Press that Aiken is “progressing” and left open the possibility he could play Friday.
Creighton (13-7, 5-4) squandered a 17-point halftime lead in a loss to visiting Xavier on Saturday but upset No. 17 UConn on the road 59-55 on Tuesday.
“We’re a young team in a very old league,” McDermott said, “and we’ve continued to fight, and once in a while, if you do that, good fortune is going to shine its face on you.
“You saw our freshmen grow up.”
Ryan Hawkins, who scored 23 points in the victory, averages 13.1, leading four Bluejays who average in double figures.
Creighton’s 7-foot-1 center, Ryan Kalkbrenner (11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds a game), suffered an ankle injury in that game and missed most of the second half.
“We’ll get him some rest and some treatment and hopefully we can have him back (Friday),” McDermott said.
–Field Level Media