Seton Hall’s once promising season is going up in flames.
Ranked as high as No. 21 five weeks ago, the Pirates lost their fifth consecutive game Monday night, falling to sixth-ranked Villanova, 80-54, at The Pavilion in Philadelphia, and even worse, could be without star guard Sterling Gibbs for Saturday’s matchup against St. John’s.
Late in the blowout defeat, Gibbs landed a vicious forearm to the face of Villanova guard Ryan Arcidiacono while the two fought for a loose ball. Arcidiacono was on the ground when Gibbs lowered his forearm onto his opponent’s face in a violent manner.
He was ejected, issued a flagrant 2 foul and could be suspended by the Big East. A flagrant 2 isn’t an automatic suspension, but the league will review the incident, as per conference policy.
“I want to apologize to Ryan Arcidiacono. That’s not who I am. I made a real bad mistake,” Gibbs told New Jersey reporters after the contest. “I was caught up in the moment — I was caught up in the heat of the battle. … I really want to say sorry. It’s really weighing on my mind a lot.”
Gibbs also tweeted an apology to Arcidiacono shortly after the game.
Man that's not who I am. I'm sorry to my family, friends, fans, and team for being an embarrassment. Even more sorry to @RyArch15 .. I let
— Sterling Gibbs (@SterlingGibbs4) February 17, 2015
My emotions get the best of me and that wasn't acceptable at all. I hope you're alright and I will face any consequences coming.
— Sterling Gibbs (@SterlingGibbs4) February 17, 2015
Sorry again @RyArch15 it really is weighing heavy on my heart.
— Sterling Gibbs (@SterlingGibbs4) February 17, 2015
Emotions sometimes get the best of us. heat of the moment thing. We're all good. @SterlingGibbs4
— Ryan Arcidiacono (@RyArch15) February 17, 2015
Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said the team will address the incident.
“I am extremely disappointed in Sterling’s actions tonight. Our student-athletes are entrusted to uphold the morals and values of good sportsmanship and personal conduct that we preach to them on a daily basis,” Willard said. “Tonight’s incident involved a young man of high character showing poor judgment in the heat of competition. It was regrettable, and we will address the issue.”
The flagrant forearm comes on the heels of locker-room problems that have contributed to the losing streak, coinciding with the return from a stress fracture of freshman Isaiah Whitehead. Last week, sophomore guard Jaren Sina — Gibbs’ close friend — transferred. His father, Mergin, said Seton Hall wasn’t the right place for his son.
Seton Hall (15-11, 5-9) has lost its last two games on the road without Sina, and is now just a game in the loss column ahead of Marquette and Creighton, who are tied for the Big East basement.
Before the ejection, Gibbs was struggling, making just 4-of-15 shots. He finished with 12 points and three turnovers, while Whitehead led the Pirates with 15 points and four assists.
