His success there is how he landed what he has called his dream job with the Pirates. But, ever the competitor, Holloway didn’t take it easy on the Peacocks, either.
In fact, Seton Hall’s dominant 80-44 victory on Saturday at Prudential Center and had to feel familiar to the players — Isiah Dasher, Jaylen Murray, Oumar Diahame and Latrell Reid — who stayed at Saint Peter’s following that remarkable run only a handful of months go. A tenacious defense, deep roster and minutes-sharing philosophy that doesn’t revolve around one or two stars.
KC Ndefo of Seton Hall attempts a shot as Jayden Saddler of Saint Peter’s defends during the second half Saturday in Newark.Very early on, Seton Hall is playing very similar to Holloway’s Saint Peter’s teams — except with superior athletes. Holloway went 10-deep less than eight minutes in on Saturday. At one point later in the first half, he inserted five new players. The Pirates forced four shot clock violations in the opening half alone. Players dove for loose balls up 20.
It was a busy first offseason for Holloway at Seton Hall, one in which he had to be active on the transfer market to fill out his roster. A trying preseason littered with injuries followed. But his new team looks just fine so far, starting his first season in the Big East with two blowouts. Just ask the school he led to history-making March last year. It stood no chance on Saturday against its former coach.