Powell ready to bust out of slump

The numbers don’t concern Myles Powell. They won’t shake his conf idence. He basically lived in the Seton Hall gymnasium over the last four days to make sure of that.

“I know I got a big shot waiting for everybody,” the 6-foot-2 sophomore sharpshooter from Trenton said on Monday. “I know my team is going to need me.”

Powell’s touch from deep has been off l ate ly. He’s made j ust 21 percent (8-of-38) from deep over the last four games, averaging 13.2 points per game. It’s no coincidence the Pirates went just 2-2 in that span, losing one-point heartbreakers to NCAA Tournament teams Butler and Villanova. Powell’s role, it should be noted, has expanded in that time with leading scorer Desi Rodriguez (foot/ankle) out — he’s being asked to be more of a playmaker and slasher — but that’s not an excuse Powell was willing to use.

The Big East’s most improved player, a 38.5 percent 3-point shooter who averaged 15.4 points per game this year, Powell will be particularly important against ninth-seeded N.C. State in a Midwest Region opening-round game Thursday afternoon in Wichita, Kan. He’ll be needed to help point guard Khadeen Carrington break the Wolfpack’s press, and when the eighth-seeded Pirates do that, it could lead to open looks for him.

“Everybody goes in a little cold slump. These last couple of games were probably the worst I’ve shot all season,” Powell said after practice Monday. “It happens. Shooters go in slumps. I never lost faith. I still got the same confidence. My team still believes in me. My coach still believes in me.

“I’m starting to feel good again. I feel like I got my mojo back.”

Unprompted, Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said Powell will be essential to the Pirates moving on. With Rodriguez returning, Powell will go back to his customary role as a 3-point threat. While Hall’s four senior leaders want to extend their careers at least one more game, Powell doesn’t want to say goodbye to them, either. He’s particularly close to Angel Delgado, whom he considers a big brother.

“It’s a great feeling that if it comes down to a l ast shot, these four seniors will put it in my hands,” Powell said. “Just like how they worry if this is their last time playing [together], I’m worried about my last time playing with them.

“There’s a lot of emotions going on. I know we’re all going to be ready.”