Stress fractures

Sporting News, The, Feb 19, 2001 by Steve Politi

But after Sunday's trip to Notre Dame, the schedule lightens, with Rutgers, West Virginia, Villanova and struggling Connecticut. It's worth noting that Michigan started 12-5 and 3-3 in the Big Ten in 1991-92, the first year with the Fab Five--the same records Seton Hall had after 17 games this season. That Wolverines team, which had many of the same issues with freshmen usurping upperclassmen, finished 25-9 and lost in the NCAA tide game to Duke.

The Pirates would love to follow the Wolverines' example, but there also is the fate of the 1993-94 North Carolina team to consider. The Tar Heels won the national championship the previous season, and then added Rasheed Wallace, Jerry Stackhouse and Jeff McInnis to an already loaded roster. Although the Heels made the Final Four in 1995, they never quite jelled enough to live up to expectations.

The Fab Five stayed intact for two seasons. Although Seton Hall starts three freshmen and a sophomore, many expect the Pirates will have just one chance to win with this team.

Many believe Griffin will have no choice but to bolt for the pros. Several publications and Internet sites already have tabbed him as the top pick should he leave this spring, and few opposing coaches pass up the chance to laud him as a pro prospect--as if to encourage him to start Lexus shopping.

"That's good for coaches to speak about me like that," he says. "That's one of my goals--to be the top pick. I'm trying to work hard and hopefully I'll reach that goal. I feel I can get a lot better."

Griffin is noncommittal about leaving. He talks about reaching the Final Four, about wanting to be remembered for more than just gaudy statistics--he is averaging 18.4 points. But he also nearly blew out his knee in a game against Norfolk State, and the realization that it all could have come crashing down might influence his decision.

It's unreasonable to expect a one-and-done player to change his program for the better, but. Amaker believes Griffin already has had an enormous impact on Seton Hall.

"Excluding the unfortunate incident in the aftermath of the Georgetown game, for a kid his age to do what he's done has been sensational," Amaker says. "He's leading the nation in rebounds (11.9 average) and blocks (4.8). I don't know if a freshman has ever done that. What else can you ask?"

The Pirates are on national TV 11 times this year, the most in school history. And as long as Amaker sticks around, the Pirates look capable of continuing to recruit on a national level. Already, they have John Allen, a top 100 prospect from Coatesville, Pa., joining the program next season.

It is only February, but it does not seem too early to start talking about next season. That optimistic day in August 1999 seems long ago.

"We can still make it, but it's going to be real, real tough," Shine says. "I think we have the group of guys who can do it, but some way, some how, it's going to have to turn around real fast."

Steve Politi covers Seton Hall for the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger