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A look at Powell's status, a difficult matchup in Chicago and the Pirates' biggest concerns heading into the Big East gauntlet.

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Jerry Carino | Asbury Park Press

Myles Powell is closing 2019 on a positive note: After sitting out for two weeks with a concussion, the Seton Hall basketball star is making the trip to Chicago for the Big East opener at DePaul.

“He practiced the last two days; I don’t know what his status is right now for the game,” Hall coach Kevin Willard said Sunday before the Pirates boarded a plane to the Windy City. “I’m not sure if he’s ready to play yet. He’s had so many days off and he’s only practiced twice. I know for certain he’ll be back for Georgetown (the Big East home opener Jan. 3).”

Powell has cleared the concussion protocol and the decision rests with Willard. Seton Hall (8-4) was able to tread water without the preseason All-American, losing at Rutgers but stunning seventh-ranked Maryland and holding off Prairie View A&M to head into the 18-game league slate with a respectable resume.

Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

“He’s doing much better, but it’s a matter of getting his body back to playing,” Willard said. “He hasn’t done anything (basketball-wise, prior to Saturday). He did look better today than yesterday.”

If he does play against DePaul, it probably won't be for major minutes.

“If he does play, it’s going to be a spot here, a spot there," Willard said. "Against Georgetown, by time we get there, I’m hoping he can be in the mid-to-upper twenties (minutes-wise).”

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DePaul (12-1) is one of the nation’s biggest surprises this season. Picked to finish last in the Big East coaches’ preseason poll, the Blue Demons have beaten Texas Tech, Iowa, Minnesota, Boston College and Northwestern.

The Blue Demons are solid inside and out, with Kansas transfer Charlie Moore (16.5 ppg, 6.7 apg) at point guard and the one-two punch of Paul Reed (15.5 ppg, 10.9 rpg) and Jaylen Butz (11.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg) inside. Reed shredded Seton Hall twice last year as DePaul swept the series.

“He’s a problem,” Willard said. “He can pick and pop on you if you’re not switching. If you’re switching, you have to deal with him down on the block and he’s able to finish.”

Given DePaul’s propensity for scoring inside and the continued absence of top Hall forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (broken wrist; he’s still in a cast), the onus will be on 7-footers Romaro Gill and Ike Obiagu to stand their ground.

Gabe Rhodes/Seton Hall Athletics

“This might be the first time we play them together at times,” Willard said.

Willard has been playing mad scientist since Mamukelashvili and Powell went down, mixing lineups and defenses to see what works. As Seton Hall embarks on the Big East gauntlet — eight of the 10 teams currently are projected to make the NCAA Tournament field — Willard cited rebounding and fouling as his two biggest concerns.

Right now the Hall ranks ninth in the conference in rebounding margin (plus-0.9), ahead of only Creighton. Mamukelashvili’s eventual return will help, but until then 6-foot-6 sophomore Jared Rhoden is the only consistent rebounder in the rotation (6.3 per game).

“We can’t expect just him to do it,” Willard said.

In terms of fouls, the Pirates are averaging nearly 20 per game and they’ve fouled 18 more times than their opponents. Some of that comes from the team playing just five non-conference games at home — a disparity Willard pledges to correct in the future —and some is a matter of fundamentals and discipline.

“If we can improve our rebounding and stop putting teams in the bonus so early, our other metrics are pretty good,” Willard said.

Asbury Park Press