About an hour before tip-off of No. 12 Seton Hall’s big game with No. 3 Michigan State at Prudential Center, there was a still question about whether Myles Powell would play after being listed as a game-time decision.
Powell told NJ Advance Media courtside he felt “good” but was awaiting the go-ahead from coach Kevin Willard after spraining his ankle last Saturday against Stony Brook.
Willard ultimately gave his star the go-ahead and when Powell was the last player introduced in Seton Hall’s starting lineup, a huge ovation rose up from the crowd of approximately 14,000 that included former Michigan State football star Plaxico Burress and Michigan native John Smoltz.
On one of the biggest stages of his career, Powell shook off any lingering ankle soreness and put on a show, pouring in 37 points on 12-for-27 shooting with six rebounds in a captivating 76-73 loss in Newark. He shot 6-of-14 on 3-pointers.
With the 12th-ranked Pirates trailing 66-65, Powell hit consecutive 3-pointers, one from the top of the arc and then a fallaway from the left wing to put Seton Hall up, 71-66. He added two foul shots to make it 73-72 with 44.8 seconds left.
With No. 3 Michigan State up 74-73, Powell drove to the basket trying for a go-ahead bucket, but freshman Malik Hall got a steal as Willard screamed for a foul call, and Cassius Winston hit two free throws on the other end for a 76-73 lead.
“I thought Myles definitely got fouled going to the basket," Willard said.
He added sarcastically: “I thought the refereeing was excellent.”
“I don’t want to comment on that," Powell said. "With the ball in my hands and me being a leader and a captain, I could’ve make a better decision. but I’m not going to blame it on the refs.”
The Powell turnover was the second consecutive time down the floor that the Pirates lost possession on a play with heavy contact but no foul was called.
Powell had one final look at a desperation 3-pointer to tie the game but it caromed off the top off backboard.
Winston, Powell’s fellow All-America guard, shot 6-of-17 for 21 points with four assists in the win.
Hall scored 17 points on 7-of-7 shooting after going scoreless in his first two college games, including a go-ahead layup for a 74-73 lead with 25.8 seconds left.
Powell deflected questions about gamesmanship or outright deception on the extent of his ankle injury. Willard had said Powell would miss substantial time.
“I don’t want to talk about the ankle. In basketball people get injured, it is what it is at this point.” Powell said. “He told me I was good to go and I was ready."
Some takeaways from the Pirates’ loss:
NBA in the house
There were about two dozen NBA scouts from 19 teams, including the Knicks and the Nets, in the building. The Knicks, who could be staring at another top lottery pick, had two scouts in attendance. Powell tested the NBA Draft waters last spring, but opted to come back for his senior season. Willard believes he could be drafted after his senior season.
The scouts were also on hand to see younger Seton Hall players, like junior Myles Cale and Canadian freshman Tyrese Samuel, as well as Michigan State’s Winston and Marcus Bingham.
“[Powell] plays with an NBA professional intensity that anybody would want,” one NBA scout told NJ Advance Media. “And his ability to make his shot from outside with deep NBA range in a variety of ways makes him appealing and makes him unique. It gives him an elite NBA skill set.”
“Whether he gets drafted or not, there will be a space in the league for him because he puts the ball in the basket, plays with passion and is fearless,” ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla said. “It’s hard to find shotmakers in college. He’s elite.”
Big night for Ro
Romaro Gill, Seton Hall’s 7-foot-2 senior big man, more than held his own defensively against Michigan State’s big guys. He finished with five blocks and eight rebounds.
Rankings shuffle
After losing on opening night to Kentucky as the No. 1 team in the land, the Spartans fell to No. 3 in this week’s AP poll. That robbed the Pirates of a chance to play their first-ever non-conference game against a top-ranked opponent.
If Seton Hall wins Sunday at Saint Louis (3-0), the Pirates probably won’t drop much in the rankings. If they lose Sunday, they could fall precipitously in the poll.
Gavitt Games roundup
The Gavitt Games were tied at 3-all entering Thursday’s final games, but with Michigan State’s win and Penn State beating Georgetown, 81-66, the Big Ten finished ahead 5-3.
Tough schedule ahead
The Spartans were the first of seven NCAA Tournament teams on Seton Hall’s schedule, the most of any team in the nation.
Willard has once again loaded up the non-conference schedule with upcoming games at Saint Louis (Sunday) and Iowa State (Dec. 8). Seton Hall also travels to the Battle 4 Atlantis where it will meet No. 14 Oregon on Nov. 27. If the Pirates win, they could face No. 8 Gonzaga. Seton Hall also hosts No. 7 Maryland on Dec. 19.
Honoring Zachary Winston
The Michigan State players wore a patch that said “Smoothie” for Zachary Winston, the younger brother of Cassius Winston who was hit by a train in Albion, Mich., on Saturday night.
Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter who covers Seton Hall and NJ college basketball for NJ Advance Media.