Seton Hall basketball: Delgado sits, Mamu thrives in win over NJIT

NEWARK -- The question was buzzing through the Prudential Center as Seton Hall basketball pulled away from NJIT in the second half.

Why is Angel Delgado sitting on the bench?

Hall coach Kevin Willard pulled the All-America candidate out of the game two minutes after halftime, and he didn’t return. The senior center finished with five points on 1-of-7 shooting, four assists and two rebounds. The double-double machine also struggled on the defensive end.

Willard said afterward that Delgado tweaked his calf and he elected to give the big man a rest as a precaution. 

“Angel has his moments, but I have no doubt Angel’s going to come back and be dominant,” said senior wing Desi Rodriguez, who paced the Pirates with 19 points and seven boards. “Next game he’s going to be the same Angel he was in the past. He knows what he has to do. He knows to get in practice and compete. He didn’t have his best game, but I have no doubt in my mind he’s going to come back and be dominant.”

One thing is certain: Delgado’s replacement did just fine.

Freshman Sandro Mamukelashvili tallied 11 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and two assists as the Pirates posted an 82-53 triumph. The 6-foot-10 Eastern European shot 5-of-8 from the field.

Seton Hall basketball: In a loaded frontcourt, a freshman is turning heads

With every heady play, chants of “Mamu, Mamu” from the 4,000 fans in attendance echoed through the arena.

“It was amazing,” Mamukelashvili said. “First of all, I’m happy we got the win. I’m watching the game and I’m learning. I was talking with coach yesterday and he was telling me how to defend better. I’m really glad I got my opportunity because I was waiting for it and I was ready. I hope now I can be more confident and play better.”

No. 22 Seton Hall (4-0) will step up in class the coming week in the Preseason NIT at the Barclays Center. Dan Hurley-coached Rhode Island, which lost star E.C. Matthews with a broken wrist, awaits in Thursday’s semifinals with Virginia as a potential opponent in Friday’s final. 

FOUR TAKEAWAYS

1. The freshmen are gaining valuable experience. Of all the positive things he did, Mamukelashvili was most proud of his four blocks.

“I know I can’t just think after one game I’m this and that,” he said. “I have to stay humble and keep working. I have to improve my defense, especially my defense in the post.”

Classmate Myles Cale chipped in 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting and continues to electrify onlookers with his athleticism.

“It feels good I’m getting the crowd more involved and making them feel good,” Cale said. “It motivates me to do more and more each game.”

Cale noticed the “Mamu” chants, too.

“It’s funny when they do that,” he said. “He played real physical today. Every game he’s getting more confident. He’s full of potential.”

Cale and Mamukelashvili both seem to grasp the importance of their roles — not just on the court, but with the fan base.

“We know we’ve got people thinking we’re the future for Seton Hall,” Cale said.  “We’re learning from the seniors.”

2. Kudos to Eron Gordon. The sophomore guard played 18 minutes and logged seven points, three assists and no turnovers. The Hall’s going to need him because backup point guard Jordan Walker continues to be sidelined with a thumb injury.

Willard, who on Wednesday termed Walker's injury a sprain and projected him to be out about a week, said Saturday that Walker will miss more time with a torn ligament.

“About three weeks, maybe a little bit more,” Willard said.

In the meantime, Gordon has worked hard to find a place on the team. He’s earned his minutes.

“I thought EG did a really good job,” Willard said.

3. NJIT is going to be a tough out. The Higlanders (1-2) were well-prepared by second-year skipper Brian Kennedy. They frustrated Delgado with double teams and played good transition defense. At one point it was 33-30 before Seton Hall took a nine-point lead into the break.

“I really liked our defensive intensity in the beginning,” said Kennedy, a Monmouth County native. “I thought our guys were focused. We came out with good purpose in the second half, but their size and physicality wore us down.”

Gill St. Bernard’s graduate Chris Jenkins scored nine on 3-of-7 3-point shooting for the Highlanders. Abdul Lewis, who was teammates with Seton Hall forward Ish Sanogo at Newark East Side, scored 10.

“I wish Ish well, great kid,” Kennedy said. “For a player of his caliber to be coming off the bench is a nice luxury to have.”

4. Willard was not thrilled afterward. He's been effusive during his postgame press conferences, but this was about as terse as you'll ever see him after a win. 

Staff writer Jerry Carino: jcarino@gannettnj.com.