Three thoughts from Providence vs. Seton Hall men’s basketball

PROVIDENCE — Providence and Seton Hall men’s basketball are on different trajectories.

Stefan Vaaks wing 3-pointer missed early in the shot clock and Seton Hall soaked up the final seconds of regulation. Adam Clark nailed the dagger over Oswin Erhunmwunse on the opposite end with 17 seconds left as the Pirates denied Providence its first Big East conference win.

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Seton Hall played to its strengths in a 72-67 victory in front of 10,993 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Friday night. The visitors are out to their best start since the 2011-12 season at 11-1 and owned a fifth-straight meeting against Providence that was decided by six points or less.

Vaaks’ quick triple, off a Jaylin Sellers’ drive, would’ve given the Friars (7-6, 0-2) a lead. Instead, he gave Seton Hall an early celebration off the miss. It’s more growing pains for Providence when it can’t afford them anymore.

“Vaaks shot it, he could have drove it,” Providence coach, Kim English said. “But whatever, live with him shooting shots he feels comfortable with.

“We have to keep scratching and clawing and finding a group of guys that can play with the level of toughness and discipline on a consistent basis to be able to compete in this league.”

Dec 19, 2025; Providence, Rhode Island, USA; Providence Friars guard Stefan Vaaks (7) tries to shoot for three points against Seton Hall Pirates guard Mike Williams III (23) during the second half at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Tajuan Simpkins led all scorers with 22 points off the bench for the Pirates. Vaaks paced Providence with 15 points.

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The Friars are now off for the rest of 2025. They’ll return to conference play on Jan. 3 against St. John’s at Madison Square Garden and then host Connecticut four days later.

For more on Providence’s conference home-opener, read on below:

Something had to give

Seton Hall entered with one of the best scoring defenses in the country (allowed just 62 points per…

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Publish date : 2025-12-20 11:45:00

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