The Seton Hall game Thursday night will be a homecoming of sorts for N.C. State's Brandon Costner but also will be a bit bitterweet.
Costner is from Montclair, N.J., and starred at Seton Hall Prep. A McDonald's All-American, the forward was recruited heavily by Seton Hall and former coach Louis Orr, who was fired after the 2006 season.
"When I committed to N.C. State, it was a really tough decision because I really felt close to Coach Orr," Costner said. "I've felt like maybe me deciding to come to N.C. State might have had a little bit to do with him being fired. But I chose N.C. State because I felt more comfortable here."
Costner, a redshirt sophomore, said he and his family secured 50 tickets for the game at the Prudential Center in downtown Newark. His parents, he said, live just 10 minutes from the arena.
"It's very exciting," he said. "It should be a fun game."
Sophomore forward Dennis Horner is from Linwood, N.J., and also will have family and friends at the game. Then there's senior Gavin Grant, who's from the Bronx.
Asked if the game had special significance for him, Grant quickly quipped, "Nah, I live in the Bronx, man. We don't even associate with Jersey."
