Author | Lightnews

Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · 2d

"A wake-up call."
Seton Hall will be better this season. That’s not going out on a limb. How much better? Here’s our 2025-26 Pirate preview: 3 reasons to hope & mope, 5 must-see games, and my record prediction:
www.app.com/story/sports...

Seton Hall basketball 2025-26: Reasons to hope and mope, must-see games, prediction

Coming off a last-place Big East finish, the Pirates have been left for dead. Shaheen Holloway and Budd Clark have other ideas.

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · 2d

Steve Pikiell begged Rutgers' hierarchy to hire a general manager for well over a year. It's finally happened. Now let's see what he can do with some modern infrastructure. Column: www.app.com/story/sports...

Rutgers basketball finally has a general manager; game-changer for Steve Pikiell?

Two years too late, Rutgers is putting the infrastructure in place to help Steve Pikiell manage free agency. Now he needs a chance to work with it.

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · 3d

How are NJ's mid-majors prepping for 2025-26 after an offseason of roster upheaval? We asked Princeton's Mitch Henderson, Monmouth's King Rice, NJIT's Grant Billmeier and FDU's Jack Castleberry. Some interesting approaches:
www.app.com/story/sports...

College basketball preview 2025-26. How NJ mid-majors are prepping after roster upheaval

A look at how Princeton, Monmouth, FDU and NJIT are prepping for tip-off after a wild offseason of free agency.

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · 4d

It's back! www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKKX...

NJ college basketball podcast: 2025-26 season preview with John Fanta

YouTube video by Asbury Park Press

www.youtube.com

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · 4d

The Jersey Jump Shot podcast is back!
Tipping off with honorary New Jerseyan @John_Fanta on his new NBC gig, expectations for Rutgers, Seton Hall & Princeton, Kevin Willard at Nova, and more: youtu.be/HKKXgGB2Vsk?...

NJ college basketball podcast: 2025-26 season preview with John Fanta

YouTube video by Asbury Park Press

youtu.be

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · 8d

Darren Buchanan’s outreach to the homeless & at-risk kids in DC has earned him a major national award. Now he’s looking to bring that service mission – and attitude – to Rutgers.
“If you put good out, you’re going to get good back.”
www.app.com/story/sports...

Rutgers basketball player with 'big heart' earns national honor for giving back

Darren Buchanan donated NIL money and took part in numerous service projects in his hometown of D.C. He'd like to bring the mission to New Brunswick.

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · 8d

There were lots of laughs, and some tears, as Elmwood Park honored favorite son Dick Vitale with a well-deserved humanitarian award last night. Hubie Brown, Mike Fratello, Mike Dabney and others feted an amazing life, well-lived: www.northjersey.com/story/sports... via @northjersey

Stories, and some tears, flow as Dick Vitale receives humanitarian award from Elmwood Park

The ESPN legend, who lived in Elmwood Park as a teen, was feted by basketball notables from North Jersey and recalled a pivotal moment in the borough

www.northjersey.com

Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · 10d

They revived Seton Hall together. Now Kevin Willard and Shaheen Holloway are Big East rivals.
“They were the yin and yang”
“Not the easiest job”
“Hope he gets a standing ovation”
On the partnership that changed Jersey college hoops:
www.app.com/story/sports...

The partnership: Kevin Willard and Shaheen Holloway are together again in the Big East

They're opposing coaches now, but Kevin Willard and Shaheen Holloway brought out the best in each other while reviving Seton Hall.

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · 15d

The stories from 1976, the one-liners from Steve Pikiell, the new AD’s exhortation.
On a truly memorable night for Rutgers basketball -- and a reminder of the loyalty and charm that was once a core part of college athletics:
www.app.com/story/sports... via @asburyparkpress

Rutgers basketball: 50 years later, Final Four team hailed as 'shining example'

The stories and one-liners flowed as Rutgers' 1976 Final Four squad met the current one. It also was a reminder of how college sports has changed.

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · 18d

Seton Hall looks set at point guard and promising in the paint. But do the Pirates have shooters? Here are two leading candidates to fill the need:
www.app.com/story/sports... via @asburyparkpress

Seton Hall basketball: AJ Staton-McCray, Jacob Dar ready for their shot?

The Pirates need shooters. These two transfers are the likeliest candidates.

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · 24d

Baye Fall showed flashes in practice last week. Has Rutgers found its rim protector? Is the 3rd school the charm for the former McDonald’s All-American?
“They believe in me more than any of the places I’ve been.”
On RU's X-factor:
www.app.com/story/sports... via @asburyparkpress

Rutgers basketball center Baye Fall, once a blue-chip recruit, has something to prove

After disappointing stops at Arkansas and Kansas State, Baye Fall is carving out a role and eager to show his past programs that 'they missed out.'

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · 25d

‘The crowd’s going to love him’
‘He’s trying to rip the rim off’
‘That kid is a monster’
How Seton Hall’s 6-foot-10 frosh, Najai Hines, is turning heads on and off the court.
Plus 5 takeaways from SHU media day:
www.app.com/story/sports... via @asburyparkpress

Seton Hall basketball: Plainfield big man Najai Hines is turning heads, on and off court

With freshman Najai Hines' combination of personality and potential, 'the crowd's going to love him.' Plus: 5 takeaways from Seton Hall's media day.

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · Oct 1

"People think I’m too small, can’t shoot. They’ll see this year.”
Budd Clark is looking every bit like the floor general Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway wants -- and more observations from the Pirates' practice:
www.app.com/story/sports... via @asburyparkpress

Seton Hall basketball: Budd Clark looks like a Big East floor general

On Budd Clark's transition from Merrimack to Shaheen Holloway's point guard, plus 5 more observations from Seton Hall practice

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · Sep 26

Rutgers has its first Class of 2026 commitment in shooting guard Imahri Wooten. Here are 3 things to know about him, including why Steve Pikiell continues to emphasize the recruitment of high-schoolers:
www.app.com/story/sports... via @asburyparkpress

Rutgers basketball lands Imahri Wooten, Class of 2026 guard

Steve Pikiell has Rutgers' first Class of 2026 recruiting commitment. Here are 3 things to know about Imahri Wooten.

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · Sep 23

A September tradition as practice begins:
--5 preseason questions for Rutgers, Seton Hall and NJ's mid-majors
--What the preview magazines forecast for all 8 NJ teams
--My Preseason All-NJ Team
--My Big East and Big Ten rankings
www.app.com/story/sports... via @asburyparkpress

College basketball 2025-26 predictions, questions for New Jersey's D-1 teams

Forecasts for Rutgers, Seton Hall, Princeton, FDU, Monmouth, Rider, Saint Peter's, NJIT. Ranking the Big East and Big Ten teams. Plus our All-NJ team.

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · Sep 22

10 years ago, Asbury Park Press readers helped a deaf couple from Lacey adopt a deaf child from China. What's happened since is a reminder that there is a lot of good out there.
“We have a beautiful life because of all of their help.” www.app.com/story/news/l... via @asburyparkpress

After APP readers helped Lacey deaf couple adopt deaf kids, they've reached this milestone

It's a big time for Billy Nowrey and Catrina Ballou-Nowrey, who have now sent their daughter to a high school for the deaf after a remarkable journey.

www.app.com

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · Sep 18

With the exception of last season, Rutgers' December Big Ten draw has been brutal since the format began in 2017. This year is the hardest yet.
3 takeaways on RU's full schedule, including the Saturday problem:
www.app.com/story/sports...

Rutgers basketball 2025-26 schedule unveiled as Big Ten brutality continues

The Big Ten could not have given Rutgers a tougher opening schedule if it tried. 3 takeaways

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · Sep 18

Rutgers basketball's European freshmen are dropping dimes and rhymes: On Harun Zrno and Denis Badalau, a couple of skilled characters whose adjustment to college ball could be the Scarlet Knights' X-factor:
www.app.com/story/sports...

Rutgers basketball's European freshmen are dropping dimes and rhymes

As Harun Zrno and Denis Badalau feel their way in college ball, their potential to help Rutgers' offense has opened some eyes.

www.app.com

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · Sep 16

I’ve seen Rutgers basketball practice twice. Here are my takeaways, including a freshman who got my attention (and surely Steve Pikiell's):
www.app.com/story/sports... via @asburyparkpress

Rutgers basketball: 6-foot-8 freshman impresses and other takeaways from practice

5 takeaways from Rutgers basketball practice as seven freshmen push for roles in the rotation

www.app.com

Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · Sep 16

My preseason Q&A with Shaheen Holloway on his changes in roster-building, style of play, and what he's seen so far from a Seton Hall team with 11 new players.
“The guards alone show you how much better of a team we’re going to be." www.app.com/story/sports... via @asburyparkpress

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · Sep 11

How will Kevin Willard be received in his return to the Rock Dec. 23?
I have a thought on that, and a couple more takeaways on Seton Hall’s Big East schedule, including a bad pattern stopped:
www.app.com/story/sports... via @asburyparkpress

Seton Hall basketball: Big East schedule features Kevin Willard's return

3 thoughts on Seton Hall's schedule as the Big East dates are announced

www.app.com

Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · Sep 10

My preseason Q&A with Steve Pikiell on his new athletics director, the general manager position, and what he's seen so far from a roster with 10 new players. Lots of ground covered here:
www.app.com/story/sports...

Rutgers basketball: Steve Pikiell 2025-26 preseason Q&A

The 10th-year head coach on his new athletics director, the general manager position, and what he's seen so far from a roster with 10 new players.

www.app.com

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · Aug 20

Rutgers has made a late addition to the roster.
Dorian Jones could have a big impact on the backcourt.
Here are 3 things to know about him, including his status:
www.app.com/story/sports...

Rutgers basketball adds guard Dorian Jones, former Ohio State commit

Who is Dorian Jones? 3 things to know about the latest addition to Rutgers basketball's 2025-26 roster

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · Aug 12

Spent yesterday morning with the world's oldest ocean lifeguard. At age 82 (!) Ed Kiziukiewicz is still battling rip currents:
www.app.com/story/news/l...

World record oldest ocean lifeguard still patrols 'God's pool' in Bay Head

At 82, Ed Kiziukiewicz still patrols the ocean water as a lifeguard in Bay Head, work he has done every summer since 1962.

www.app.com

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Jerry Carino @jerrycarino.bsky.social · Aug 12

Why is Seton Hall playing 3 regular-season games in Walsh Gym for the first time since 1991? Here is what AD Bryan Felt said about the anomaly and a potential bone to season-ticket holders as a result:
www.app.com/story/sports...

Seton Hall basketball schedule 2025-26: Why the Pirates are playing 3 games in Walsh Gym

Seton Hall basketball is playing 3 regular-season games in Walsh Gym for the first time since 1991. It's not due to nostalgia.

www.app.com