Seton Hall Fears ‘Prolonged Absence’ for All-American Guard Myles Powell

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Just days before No. 12 Seton Hall hosts to No. 1 Michigan State, the Pirates suffered a potentially fatal blow. Big East preseason Player of the Year and Associated Press preseason All-America selection Myles Powell left Saturday’s game against Stony Brook after just five minutes with a left ankle injury and did not return.

Following the game, Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard said that “It’s not a one-to-two game thing.”

“Injuries happen and especially with where he is at in his career, I’m probably going to be extra safe,” Willard said. “I’ll hold him out as long as I need to make sure he comes back to where I don’t affect his future…This might be a prolonged absence.”

Powell, a senior from Trenton, N.J., was arguably the best catch-and-shoot player in the country last season, averaging 23.1 points per game. He was ranked as SI’s No. 4 player in college basketball heading into the 2019-20 season.

The Pirates handled Stony Brook on Saturday, winning 74-57 in South Orange. But Thursday’s meeting with Michigan State would seem to be a more daunting test, especially without Powell. Tipoff for that top-25 contest is set for 8:30 p.m. ET.