NEWARK, NJ - In their victory over Pitt on Sunday, Seton Hall enjoyed a 112 offensive efficiency and held Pitt to 100. That is a little misleading regarding their averages. For the Big East games, the Hall plays at a 67 possession pace. The efficiencies:

Offense 93

Defense 95

The defense is right there but the offense has lagged behind. On Sunday they found the range with a 55%e eFG showing largely due to the marksmanship of freshman Aaron Cosby. He scored 19 points and was 5 of 9 from beyond the arc. Herb pope had a solid 19 point, 14 rebound outing. Jordan Theodore added 15 points but the impressive part of his ‘line’ was 9 assists, one turnover in 35 minutes.

Keys for St. John’s:

1. Stopping Pope inside. Not an easy task considering St. John’s has struggled all season with the interior game. At any rate, Pope can not be allowed to do what he did Sunday.

2. Keep Theodore in check. A halfcourt tempo and zone could work, ask Notre Dame. Theodore excels in the open floor but has shown to be vulnerable at times in half court against zones.

3. Close out on shooters. Just look at Aaron Cosby’s aforementioned performance against Pitt and you know what I mean. Fuquan Edwin and Patrik Auda are also threats from outside.

Seton Hall carries the momentum of two straight into this contest. Coach Kevin Willard is not taking this game lightly and he should not. Post game on Sunday, Willard praised the job Mike Dunlap has done. Yours truly seconds that. Given the situation, exits and other aspects that have crept up this season, Dunlap has done nothing short of an outstanding job staying upbeat and teaching day to day. An outstanding clinician, Dunlap has a keen basketball mind and his work with the young St. John’s players will pay dividends down the road.

At present, a tough task on Valentine’s day for St. John’s.