My9 (WWOR-TV) | Live Stats | Game Notes
Newark, NJ – The Wagner College men's basketball team will travel to Big East member Seton Hall this Saturday, with tip-off set for 12:00 pm.
Newcomers Continue To Impress
Juniors
Melvin Council Jr. and
Tyje Kelton have had an immediate impact in their first three games in a Seahawk uniform. The duo leads Wagner in scoring, with council averaging 13.3 points per game and Kelton sitting at an even 10 points per contest. Council was named an NEC Prime Performer for week one and leads the league with an assist/turnover ratio of 4.5. Kelton opened the season with a double double against Fordham and led the Green and White with 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks against Rhode Island.
Toughness On Display
Three games into the season, the Wagner brand is already showing. The Seahawks lead the Northeast Conference (NEC) with 14.33 offensive rebounds per game and have the best scoring defense in the circuit at 61.7 points per game.
The Seahawks held a 44-39 edge on the glass against Fordham, tied for the most rebounds against a Division I opponent in the last two seasons. Wagner's five blocks against the Rams were also the most rejections against a Division I opponent since recording seven rejections against Mount St. Mary's in 2022.
At 28.1%, the Seahawks have the best three point field goal percentage defense in the NEC.
Copeland's Homecoming
Saturday's game will be a homecoming for second-year head coach
Donald Copeland. Copeland was an assistant coach at Seton Hall two seasons ago and was part of a team that earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament after compiling a 21-11 record along with an 11-8 mark in Big East play.
Copeland was a standout guard at Seton Hall. While a member of the Pirates, the Garden State product helped lead them to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances in his sophomore (2004) and senior (2006) seasons.
In helping lead the Pirates to an 18-12 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament as a senior in 2005-06, Copeland led the Hall in a host of statistical categories including scoring (16.1 ppg), assists (4.5), steals (41), three-pointers (71) and free-throw percentage (84.4). For the season, he ranked third in the Big East in assists per game (5.1) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.69).
After being named to both the All-Big East and All-Metropolitan Second Teams, Copeland was tabbed as Seton Hall's Senior Male Athlete of the Year.
Additionally, assistant coach Kevin Lynch is a Seton Hall graduate and former member of the Pirates' staff. During Lynch's tenure at Seton Hall, the Pirates amassed a record of 177-111 and earned five NCAA Tournament appearances, most recently in 2022. During the 2022 season, Lynch served alongside Copeland on the Pirates' staff.
Taking Care Of The Ball
With only nine turnovers per game, Wagner ranks not only first in the NEC, but also 32
nd in the country.
Promising Depth
All 11 Seahawks who have appeared in a game this season are averaging nine minutes or more per game, with 10 players averaging four points or more through three games.
Scouting The Pirates
Seton Hall enters Saturday's game with a 3-0 record after wins against Saint Peter's, FDU, and Albany to start the season.
The Pirates are averaging 83.7 points per game while holding opponents to 61.7 points per contest.
Home Sweet Home
With the victory over Molloy, Wagner has now won seven straight home openers at the Spiro Sports Center.
New Film Room Unveiled
Wagner has unveiled a new basketball film room in the Spiro Sports Center designed to help the Seahawks' men's and women's basketball teams prepare for opponents.
Up Next
The Seahawks will host NJIT on Saturday, November 25, at 1:00 pm. As part of Black Friday, all tickets will be $5. Visit wagnerathletics.com/tickets for more information.
