Jerry Carino

@njhoopshaven

The first big piece to next season’s Seton Hall basketball schedule is in place, and it’s a blockbuster.

The Pirates have signed a home-and-home deal with Louisville, head coach Kevin Willard said Monday. They will visit the Cardinals, who might be the preseason No. 1 team in the country, in early December and get a return visit to the Prudential Center in 2018-19.

With a team comprised largely of underclassmen, Louisville posted a 25-9 record this past season, including 16-1 at home. Seton Hall is 5-12 all-time against the Cardinals, having dropped five straight before the Big East broke up in 2013.

Willard is a former assistant at Louisville under Rick Pitino, and the two remain close.

Seton Hall's new forward draws favorable comparison

The game is part of a ramped-up non-conference schedule for the Pirates, who should be a strong preseason Top 25 candidate if standout postman Angel Delgado returns for his senior season. Delgado is awaiting word on invitations to the NBA Draft Combine, which takes place May 9-14 in Chicago.

“We’re in the same process we’ve had,” Willard said. “We’re going to see what the feedback is and go from there.”

Also on the Pirates’ docket:

An appearance in November’s NIT Season Tip-Off along with Rhode Island, Vanderbilt and Virginia. That event also includes two home games against mid-majors. The bracket has not been announced.

A return to the Under Armour Reunion doubleheader at Madison Square Garden. They beat eventual Final Four team South Carolina last December. The 2017 field has not been announced.

A home game in the Gavitt Tip-Off Games against a Big Ten opponent to be determined.

A visit to local rival Rutgers for the Garden State Hardwood Classic Dec. 16.

One team the Pirates won’t be playing is Saint Peter’s. The longstanding series was put on hold last season and will remain on hold for now. Willard said a date could not be worked out.

All-Metropolitan honors

The All-Metropolitan awards were announced Monday, and Seton Hall was the biggest winner. Angel Delgado and Khadeen Carrington made first-team All-Met, and Kevin Willard was named Coach of the Year.

Others with New Jersey ties on the list: Monmouth’s Justin Robinson and LIU’s Jerome Frink (a St. Anthony grad) made first team; Rutgers’ Corey Sanders, Seton Hall’s Desi Rodriguez and Saint Peter’s Quadir Welton made second team; NJIT’s Damon Lynn and Monmouth’s Micah Seaborn made third team.

The Haggerty Award, which goes to the metropolitan area’s top player, will be announced Wednesday. Delgado is a strong favorite.

Staff writer Jerry Carino: jcarino@gannettnj.com.