THE Prudential Center, Seton Hall’s new estate in Newark, often lives up to its name. The Rock, indeed, often rocks, especially because the Pirates are 10-3 at home.
But there are times, even during Big East play, when a lull in the action simmers things just enough so that you can hear only the squeak of sneakers and the bass of a dribbled ball.
This was especially true in a puzzling 95-69 loss to Notre Dame Wednesday. But also during a crucial 64-61 win over Cincinnati Jan. 27. Nevertheless, on that day, there was one voice – front row, center – that didn’t oblige. He kept cheering with the persistence of a heckler, even though he was anything but.
“You got him, B. He’s all yours,” he yelled. “It’s your game, B. Take it over.”
The voice belonged to Kelly Whitney, a former Pirate forward now of the NBA Developmental League. His target was one Brian Laing, a Bronx native, who has shed his supporting role – which he occupied during Whitney’s tenure – and exchanged it for a starring one. Or, perhaps the better term these days, would be a superstarring one.
“What can I say, the transformation is incredible,” Whitney said. “When I left, I told him I was passing the torch to him, and he’s still running with it. All he wanted to do, when he first got here, was shoot that mid-range jumper. Now, he can do everything.”
And that’s not just fluff from a former mate. Laing – a 6-foot-5, 215-pound senior guard who is averaging 19.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in this Pirates’ renaissance season – has caught the eye of the league. He’s been named to the Big East Honor Roll three times.
“It’s real simple,” Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin said. “Brian Laing is as good a one-on-one player as there is in this league.”
But the season hasn’t been just stats and accolades. Laing is the captain, and that’s no easy chore when you have seven freshmen and sophomores on the roster. For many, the Big East slate is a grind, as the recent two-game skid illustrates.
“He’s playing with urgency. He’s playing like this is it for him,” Seton Hall coach Bobby Gonzalez said. “I can’t say enough about Brian.”
He’s not alone.
“The first thing I think of is the intensity. The intensity is always going to be there with Brian,” Pirates sophomore guard Eugene Harvey said. “He’s never going to let you down, and he makes you feel the same way.”
It’s working. Despite the slump, the Pirates (15-8, 5-5) seem destined for the Big East Tournament, an honor that eluded them last season, and can improve their postseason resume with a win at Villanova (13-8, 3-6) tomorrow at 6 p.m.
“In this league, you’re going to be in tight games,” Laing said. “We’re winning some of those and it just shows how far this team has come. Even if we start slow, we know we have enough talent to turn it around.”
The thing about Laing that truly stands out, is how much he appreciates what’s going on. Here’s a player who has been through two arenas, two coaches and two different styles of play. No problem. He just plays his 38.4 minutes per game, and moves on.
“It’s been a great four years, I wouldn’t change a thing,” said Laing, who was coached by Louis Orr his first two seasons. “I’ve learned how to persevere, how to adjust to changes.”
The proof is in the Pirates.
TIP-INS
Fordham senior guard Marcus Stout was named to the Atlantic 10 Honor Roll. . . . Columbia senior forward John Baumann was named Player of the Week in the Ivy League.
GAME OF THE WEEK
NJIT (0-24) at Texas Pan American (14-13), tomorrow, 8 p.m.: The Highlanders are down to the final five … games, that is, to snap the nation’s longest losing streak. NJIT has lost 28 straight.
tsullivan@nypost.com
