OVER the course of the year, as with any player and coach, there will be a point in time when Seton Hall’s Bobby Gonzalez and star sophomore Eugene Harvey disagree over something, anything.
Playing time, however, is not likely to be the topic.
As the Pirates have raced to a 6-0 start – and gained votes in the AP poll for the first time since Feb. 6, 2006 – the minutes have begun to pile up for the diminutive point guard from Brooklyn. He’s averaging 38 per game.
Now, for some coaches, that would be a red flag. The thinking being it’s still November, the conference schedule is still a ways off, make sure the engine that drives your train pulls into the station every now and again.
Gonzalez isn’t on that train.
“I don’t believe in that,” he said. “As far as 18-23 year old kids playing 40 minutes a game being a problem. . . . I just don’t buy into that theory. I think he can go out and play two more games (in one day) if he had to.”
He’s probably right. But don’t tell Harvey. He might just do it.
“Whatever. I’m ready to go,” Harvey said with a laugh. “But, seriously, we do a lot of conditioning. Coach’s practices are not easy, but they get me in good shape. I feel that when a game goes to overtime, or even a second overtime, I’ll still have my legs no matter how many minutes I’ve already played.”
It’s hard to argue. Harvey, who led all Big East rookies with a 16.5 scoring average last season on his way to an all-conference rookie team selection, has picked up where he left off. He’s averaging 19.5 points, 3 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
“I don’t like coming out anyway,” Harvey said. “If it helps my team, fine, I’ll go for it, and sit down. But if you ask me, I want to be out there producing at all times.”
His teammates have noticed. When you’re on the floor most of the time, it’s hard not to.
“He’s more mature now,” junior guard Paul Gause said. “He knows his role on the team. He knows when he needs to score. He knows when he needs to get others involved.”
He’s succeeding at both, especially the latter. On the receiving end of several of Harvey’s assists this season has been Bronx native Brian Laing, another marathon man, averaging 20.7 points and 40 minutes.
“I feel comfortable on this team now,” Harvey said. “I’m the point guard out there. I just look at it as my job to get all of the guys pumped up. They look at me as a leader now.”
Which is exactly what Gonzalez thought he was getting when Harvey became his first marquee recruit less than two years ago.
“He’s seeing everything before it happens out there now,” Gause said. “Things are really starting to slow down for him.”
Except his minutes.
JOLTIN’ JAMES
Duquesne coach Ron Everhart refers to him simply as a “difference maker.” Through five games, opponents have had no choice but to agree.
Brooklyn native Shawn James, one of five players wounded in a campus shooting last season, has made up for lost time. The 6-foot-10, 225-pound center is third in the nation with 29 blocks and has helped the Dukes to the country’s No. 3 ranking in total offense (95.2 per game).
Duquesne (5-0) is off to its best start since 1985-86.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Princeton (2-4) at Rutgers (4-2), tomorrow, 2 p.m.: An instate battle that becomes not so friendly given the teams’ recent runs. The Tigers are nine days removed from a 74-70 loss to Division II Chaminade. The Knights lost to St. Peter’s, 65-58, Sunday. Both teams need a win.
tsullivan@nypost.com