Seton Hall’s Rocky Road

When Bobby Gonzalez left his position at Manhattan College to take the Seton Hall head coaching gig, his goal was to bring the Pirates back to the top of the Big East—a conference the institution helped create.
After the 2007-2008 season ended with SHU being left out of the NIT, fans expected Gonzalez’ off-season work to temper their criticisms of his on-the-floor actions. Cue a rocky couple of months.
Newark Weequahic’s Keon Lawrence spurned Rutgers and Seton Hall offers in early 2006 and took his services to Missouri.
After a falling out, Lawrence decided to head home and South Orange was his destination. His hardship waiver to play this year has not yet been approved.
Talented 6-foot-9 forward Herb Pope transferred out of New Mexico St. to join Gonzalez and company, but his request to play immediately has been initially denied.
The Michael Glover saga may finally be over. The 6-foot-6 forward’s lawsuit to restore academic standing has been dismissed before the supposed impact player could ever see the floor at SHU.
6-foot-11 commit Melvyn “Big Mel” Oliver is waiting to hear whether he will get through the NCAA Clearinghouse to add much-needed depth to a depleted frontcourt.
To make matters worse, transfer forward Robert “Stix” Mitchell will serve a suspension for violating transportation rules during his red-shirt year.
Seton Hall returns talent in the backcourt that you’ll hear about during our team previews. But, starting a season with only eight scholarship players would give any coach ulcers, especially one with Gonzalez’ intensity level.