Maybe this was the start of a magical three days for Seton Hall.
At least it was a feel-good Thursday afternoon for a team that has overachieved all season.
Picked to finish last in the Big East before the season, the Pirates were a surprising fourth. Now, they are in the Big East Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2019.
Nobody could’ve predicted the hero in the 72-61 quarterfinal win over No. 5 Creighton.
Jacob Dar, a Rice transfer averaging a modest 2.4 points off the bench, exploded for 16 points in 15 minutes.
In his previous nine games, Dar had scored a total of 13 points. The 6-foot-7 wing also hit two 3-pointers — equaling his entire output entering the contest.
“It was great,” said Dar, who also had five rebounds. “My coaches trust me, my teammates trust me, so it was just about going out there, playing hard, putting in the work. It’s always going to pay off.”
Barring a Big East Tournament crown, it’s unlikely Seton Hall (21-11) will reach the NCAA Tournament.
The Pirates, however, can’t be discounted from cutting down the nets here Saturday night.
Though they went 0-4 against the league’s two powers, top-seeded St. John’s and No. 2 Connecticut, all four losses were tight.
They will get another shot at the Johnnies on Friday night.
“That’s what we came here to the Big East for,” Seton Hall point guard Adam “Budd” Clark said. “That’s what we came to Seton Hall for, to play in the big games on a big stage in the Garden. You can’t ask for anything better.”
Clark brought Seton Hall home, igniting a 12-4 run after Creighton (15-17) had closed to within two with 5:19 remaining.
The Merrimack transfer was terrific, notching 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists. An All-Big East second team selection, Clark has enjoyed a strong first season in the league.
“What I liked about Budd was that he played with a chip on his shoulder,” Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway said. “He played with the passion and the heart and the determination that I kind of played with. And I love the fact that people counted him out because of his size.”
