Shaheen Holloway and Tariq Francis Earn All-Met Basketball Honors

Shaheen Holloway, the head coach of the Seton Hall Pirates, had a remarkable season filled with impressive feats that earned him the title of metropolitan-area Coach of the Year. Despite the Pirates being picked to finish ninth in the Big East, Holloway led them to a fourth-place finish with a 13-7 record. Additionally, he guided the team to a triumphant run to the NIT title, marking the Hall’s first championship since 1953.

With a final record of 25-12, the Pirates tied for the fourth-most victories in program history, showcasing an eight-win improvement over Holloway’s first season as head coach. These accomplishments solidified Holloway’s position as a standout coach in the metropolitan area, as recognized by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association.

Notably, Holloway became just the second coach in the 43-year history of the award to win Coach of the Year with two different programs, having previously won it with Saint Peter’s. His ability to elevate the performance of his teams and lead them to success has not gone unnoticed.

In addition to Holloway’s accolades, rookie Tariq Francis of NJIT was named Rookie of the Year. Francis, a 6-foot guard, showcased his talent throughout the season, averaging 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.5 steals. His standout performance in the Highlanders’ victory over Vermont solidified his position as a rising star in college basketball.

As the basketball season comes to a close, the All-Met awards recognize the top players in the metropolitan area. Seton Hall’s Kadary Richmond and Caden Pierce of Princeton were among those named to the All-Met First Team, highlighting their exceptional contributions to their respective teams. The awards ceremony promises to be a celebration of talent and dedication in college basketball.