Seton Hall adds Eniel Polynice

The NCAA has a little known rule that has come to the forefront this summer. If an athlete finishes their undergraduate program with eligibility remaining, they can transfer to another D1 school without being forced to sit out for a season so long as they enter a graduate program at the new school that isn't offered at their previous school.

Its why Jeremiah Masoli, the former Oregon quarterback who was kicked off the team for a series of violations, was allowed to transfer to Ole Miss.

The rule has also been exploited by quite a few college hoopers this summer. Justin Knox left Alabama after graduating, becoming a back-up big man for a loaded North Carolina team. Roburt Sallie essentially got the heave-ho from Memphis and head coach Josh Pastner, but he will have a place to land in Louisville so long as he is able to finish his degree this summer. And Sean Kowal, a seven-foot center from Northern Illinois, made some headlines when he the university initially refused to grant him a waiver to transfer to a different program to pursue a graduate degree in theology.

Eniel Polynice will be a nice addition to the Seton Hall backcourt.
(photo credit: Daylife)

And then there is Eniel Polynice. Polynice graduated form Ole Miss in the spring and initially intended on entering the NBA Draft. But once it became clear that he wasn't going to sniff the second round, the 6'5" guard started searching for a school to transfer too. Seeing as Andy Kennedy, as Andy Katz put it, "wasn't unhappy that Polynice wasn't returning", the school gave Polynice his release. He landed at Seton Hall, and on Friday he was officially added to the Seton Hall roster and will be eligible immediately.

Seton Hall now has a chance to be a dangerous team next season. Back is Jeremy Hazell, who is a bit of a head case and doesn't quite understand what a good shot is, but nonetheless is one of the most potent scorers in the Big East. Joining him in the back court is Jordan Theodore, who was quietly one of the more underrated point guards in the Big East last season. Keon Lawrence, the talented but troubled Missouri transfer, and Jamel Jackson, who hit 12 threes in a game last season, also return, which means that the addition of Polynice, along with freshman Fuquan Edwin, will give Seton Hall a loaded back court.

Polynice, however, brings an element that the Pirates don't have on the perimeter. He's not a scorer. Polynice is a tough defender and a slasher that is more apt at creating for teammates than firing up 15 shots a game.

Despite that loaded backcourt, Seton Hall's season is going to hinge on the health of Herb Pope. If you don't remember, Pope was rushed to the hospital after collapsing when he finished a workout. He was released from the hospital after spending almost a month there, and as of now hopes to be cleared medically to play this season. Pope averaged a double-double last season, anchoring Seton Hall's front line. Witht he athletic and aggressive Jeff Robinson joining him up front, it gives new Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard a nice combination. If Pope is not cleared, Willard will be forced to use sophomore Ferrakhon Hall, as well as the three freshmen bigs he has coming in, for heavy minutes.

There are quite a few x-factors for this Pirate team. Pope's health; a new head coach in Kevin Willard and a new system; the enigma that is Jeremy Hazell. But if this team can catch a couple of breaks, they should be an NCAA Tournament team.