Now that Barrett has graduated and taken his game to hopefully the professional ranks, the position of point guard has been passed on to Jersey City native Donald Copeland, the former St. Anthony High School All-State performer, who has served dutifully as Barrett's understudy for the last two years.
With Barrett gone, it's time for Copeland to step up and be the leader, be the man with the ball for the Pirates.
Make no bones about it, Copeland is not thinking about trying to replace Barrett.
"I think it's impossible to fill Andre's shoes," Copeland said at the Seton Hall media day last week. "I'm just trying to be the player I think I can be. I'm not trying to replace Andre Barrett. You can't replace him. But I can be the next point guard at Seton Hall."
Copeland, now a junior, appears to be the leading candidate among three to become the starting point guard for the Pirates. For one, the 5-10 Copeland has the experience, having spent the last two seasons practicing with Barrett every day, learning the ropes and getting some playing time, albeit only averaging 1.3 points per game in 52 games over the last two years.
"I think I have a small advantage in earning the job," Copeland said. "I've been here. I know about the travel, playing in the Big East. The other two point guards we have [freshman Justin Cerasoli and sophomore Jamar Nutter] are good players, but I already know how to play here. I've been preparing myself as if I was the starter. I feel confident right now."
Copeland should. In an exhibition game last week against the national team from Costa Rica, Copeland tossed in a team-high 19 points (including burying five of six from 3-point range).
"I think that comes with the territory," Copeland said. "I'm free and comfortable now, not worrying to spell Andre. I just have to do my job and the chances will come. I just feel comfortable right now and that's a big key."
Seton Hall head coach Louis Orr said that he was happy with the way Copeland has come into the preseason.
"I'm really pleased with the way Donald has looked," Orr said. "He has great leadership ability and I think a lot of that comes from practicing against Andre every day. I never hesitated putting him into tough situations for us and I can't remember when he didn't come through. He's playing with a lot of confidence right now and a lot of poise. Andre got bigger and stronger over time and I think the same is happening for Donald."
Orr said that he expected Copeland to be the starter when the Pirates tip off their season against Richmond Nov. 19.
"Donald has the experience and has been through the wars already," Orr said. "He's played in the NCAA Tournament and played on the road in the Big East. Justin is still learning about those things. It should be to Justin's benefit to learn from Donald. We need both to play well if we're going to be successful. It's not a competition between the two. Both are going to play."
Copeland said that his shooting range and touch has improved over the past year.
"I know that I can make shots," Copeland said. "I worked on that a lot over the summer and Coach [Orr] has worked on me putting the ball on the floor and going to the basket more. I'm always looking to take my shot, but we have four guys on the floor who averaged in double figures last year. I have an easy job just making sure to get them the ball."
Copeland knows that having returning players like John Allen, Kelly Whitney, Andre Sweet and J.R. Morris back makes things much easier for him to just distribute the ball and fit in.
"I'm definitely excited and I don't want to let my teammates down," Copeland said. "I'm looking forward to the challenge. It's going to be a good year for us." - Jim Hague
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