McKnight and Pirates face unenviable challenge in Markus Howard

Quincy McKnight was one step ahead of the play.

The Pirates’ Swiss Army knife of a guard knew where the pass was going before it left Joey Brunk’s hands. The Butler center made few mistakes on Wednesday night in a 20-point, 10-rebound performance, but he was read like a book in this crucial second half-opening sequence.

McKnight then switched from defensive stopper to offensive finisher, dribbling down the court and dunking emphatically.

The sequence did not decide the game – the Pirates were subsequently held without a field goal for over three minutes – but the two pointes proved indispensable in a 76-75 Seton Hall win.

The 6-foot-4 junior from Bridgeport, Conn., was the only Pirate to join…