For all the talk of Seton Hall's potential in the preseason, and even after several marquee non-conference victories, the real litmus test for the Pirates started on Thursday. And it didn't start well.
But after a shaky first half against No. 25 Creighton in its Big East opener, No. 23 Seton Hall did what veteran-laden teams are supposed to do. It recovered.
With a crowd of 9,824 making Prudential Center louder than it has been all season and creating a February atmosphere in December, Seton Hall remedied defensive shortcomings and dug out of a 13-point hole to open league play with a 90-84 victory.