There are no easy wins when college basketball reaches this point in the season. Conference play is a different monster and what seems to be a mismatch often isn’t when the ball is tipped, especially on the road. Tonight was another perfect example of that as the Seton Hall Pirates hung tough with the Cards only to fall at the end 73-58.

With this Cardinal team I never feel like they are in danger of losing a game. They always seem to find a way to dig it out and get the job done. They have so many weapons and have so many ways of using them. Our Cards lacked their usual sharpness tonight but were able to win their 9th straight and 14th overall. They did it behind another solid defensive effort getting 12 steals and forcing 16 turnovers. They also held the Pirates to just 34.7% shooting from the field. The Cards were also able to hold the Pirates offensive catalyst Fuquan Edwin to just 13 points and most of those came when the game was out of reach. He came into this game averaging 18 points (fourth best in the Big East). Luke Hancock and Montrezl Harrell followed their defensive game plan perfectly keeping Edwin from getting his usual looks at the basket.

The Cards who struggled at times themselves to make baskets due to Seton Hall’s effective defense were able to win this one going away thanks to a second half surge that was spurred by two big three point shots from Luke Hancock. He would finish with 7 points and from a big play and defensive aspect had one of his best games of the season in my opinion. With Chane Behanan out of the line up Gorgui and Montrezl really stepped up their play tonight. Dieng led all scores with a season high 16 points and he also recorded his second and consecutive double-double as he grabbed 14 rebounds. Harrell tied his career best with 14 points and he grabbed 3 rebounds. The Cards back court duo of Siva and Smith were held to 4 of 17 shooting and just 18 points between them, but did do a great job at getting other guys involved as they had 13 assist. They also rebounded the ball well grabbing 11 between them.

It wasn’t pretty at times tonight but like I mentioned earlier it never really felt like the Cards were ever going to lose this game. I don’t remember a season ever feeling as confident in a group as I do this one. And it’s just January. I can only imagine what this group is going to look like after they are completely fine tuned. And that’s what I love about the Big East conference. You know it is going to get these guys prepared for that final run.

Our Cards will now bring their 2-0 Big East record back to the friendly confines of the KFC Yum Center for a 4PM match-up Saturday with South Florida.