Bryan Armetta provides a detailed preview, prediction, and analysis ahead of Wednesday’s matchup between the Providence Friars and Seton Hall Pirates.
Seton Hall (16-8, 6-7) is in critical condition as it strives to secure a position in the NCAA Tournament. This upcoming game against Providence (11-13, 4-9) is a pivotal opportunity for the Pirates to secure a much-needed victory over a team with a lesser record. For Providence, defeating Seton Hall could provide a significant boost, both in terms of confidence and morale.
Entering the game, Seton Hall is favored by 4.5 points, with the total set at 150.5 points according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Friars have had a tumultuous season, characterized by disappointing performances under coach Kim English. A glaring issue for Providence is their poor defensive capabilities; they are allowing an average of 85.6 points per game, ranking them near the bottom among Division I schools. This defensive frailty is exacerbated by their fast-paced style of play, which, while allowing the Friars to score, compromises their defensive integrity.
On the offensive front, Providence boasts a diverse scoring lineup, with four players averaging over 12 points per game. Jason Edwards leads the team with an impressive 17.6 points per game, while Jaylin Sellers adds another 17.1 points per game. Contributions also come from Stefan Vaaks and Jamier Jones, who have been consistent scorers. Despite their high-scoring capability, the Friars’ lack of strong defense dampens their overall performance.
Contrastingly, Seton Hall has exceeded expectations this season, having been projected to finish near the bottom of the conference. Coach Shaheen Holloway’s team relies heavily on their work ethic and tenacity, but recent results show the Pirates struggling, having lost five of their last seven games—including a narrow defeat to Creighton. However, returning home might provide the lift they need.
Defensively, Seton Hall has shown promise, holding opponents to a 94.2 adjusted defensive efficiency rating, placing them 13th on KenPom. Nonetheless, the team struggles with scoring; their leading scorers, Adam ‘Budd’ Clark, A.J. Staton-McCray, and TJ Simpkins, all fall short of averaging 12 points per game. The Pirates’ three-point shooting has been particularly dismal, with a league-low 31.1% success rate. Luckily, their approach limits the number of attempts from beyond the arc, which helps mitigate this issue.
In Armetta’s assessment, Seton Hall’s consistent defensive efforts may give them an edge in this matchup. Their ability to force Providence into challenging scoring situations could prove crucial, as the Friars have shown to be unpredictable. With the Pirates having home-court advantage, they are favored to secure a win against Providence, whose inconsistency has haunted them throughout the season.
This matchup has the potential to be a turning point for Seton Hall, as they hope to solidify their standing in the NCAA Tournament conversation while Providence aims for a much-needed upset. The excitement of college basketball promises to deliver an intriguing showdown this Wednesday.