Why Seton Hall basketball’s loss to UConn is extra ‘disappointing’ for Shaheen Holloway

Seton Hall basketball walked off the floor Tuesday night carrying a feeling heavier than a typical close loss. The Pirates pushed a national powerhouse to the brink, yet the loss to the UConn Huskies lingered as a missed opportunity—one head coach Shaheen Holloway could not ignore within the broader Big East landscape.

Seton Hall fell 69–64 to the Huskies at Prudential Center in a game decided by narrow margins and late execution. After trailing by 18 points in the second half, the Pirates stormed back behind relentless pressure defense and sustained energy that ignited the home crowd. Still, the final possessions failed to produce the defining moment that could have flipped the result.

Following the game, Tri-State College Basketball Podcast host Bryan DeNovellis shared Holloway’s postgame remarks on X (formerly known as Twitter), capturing the disappointment behind the loss and why it stung so deeply at home.

“It’s disappointing because opportunities don’t come around like this too often at home.”

The frustration stemmed from execution rather than effort. Seton Hall missed 10 free throws and shot just 1-for-16 from three-point range—numbers that overshadowed a defensive performance capable of toppling an elite opponent. Average efficiency in either area likely changes the outcome.

The comeback itself underscored why the loss was so difficult to process. Seton Hall forced 17 turnovers, trimmed the deficit to a single possession, and created opportunities to tie or take the lead late before a potential game-tying attempt was blocked.

Beyond the box score, the loss carried broader meaning. Seton Hall sought a signature win to validate its rise, and falling short highlighted both the progress made and the work still to be done.

Holloway emphasized accountability rather than consolation. His comments framed the night as a lesson rooted in execution, not intimidation or mismatch.

The Pirates remain well positioned in conference play, but the disappointment reflects belief. Games such as these define programs in progress, and allowing one to falter at home against a national contender is the reason this loss resonated beyond the final score.

The post Why Seton Hall basketball’s loss to UConn is extra ‘disappointing’ for Shaheen Holloway appeared first on ClutchPoints.