In an exciting showdown on Saturday, the Seton Hall Pirates will face off against the DePaul Blue Demons, with both teams looking to make a statement in the Big East Conference. With Seton Hall boasting a record of 14 wins and 5 losses, alongside 4 wins and 4 losses in conference play, they have exceeded preseason expectations. However, the Pirates have encountered a rough patch, suffering three consecutive defeats. They aim to regroup and regain their momentum in Chicago against DePaul, which has shown notable improvement in its second year under head coach Chris Holtmann, currently holding an 11-8 overall record and 3-5 in the conference.
Seton Hall comes into this game as 2.5-point favorites, with betting odds set at -110 and the total points projected at 133.5 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game poses a critical opportunity for both teams, particularly for the Pirates, who recently encountered a heartbreaking loss to St. John’s after leading by 15 points at one point in the game. This led to concerns about whether the Pirates might be regressing after a promising start that even saw them make an appearance in the AP Poll earlier this month.
Defensively, Seton Hall has demonstrated strength throughout the season, leading the Big East with 9.5 steals and 5.8 blocks per game. Despite their defensive prowess, the offense has been a significant concern. Only three players on the roster average double-digit scoring, with A.J. Staton-McCray leading the charge at 12.2 points per game. The offensive struggles may be exacerbated by the relatively small size of the Pirates roster, with few players exceeding 6’6”.
On the flip side, DePaul also emphasizes defense, with Holtmann revitalizing a program that had struggled in recent years. The Blue Demons have shown resilience at home, going 3-1 against conference rivals, with their only home loss being against the formidable #2 UConn. DePaul has been effective in limiting opponents’ scoring, particularly on their home court, where they have kept scoring totals at bay.
Despite their defensive capabilities, DePaul faces its challenges in rebounding, ranking at the bottom of the Big East in that category. Their offensive output, centered around guards CJ Gunn and Layden Blocker, has lacked consistency, averaging just 73.6 points per game. Nevertheless, the Blue Demons have recently showcased their scoring ability, tallying over 80 points in their last two games.
With both teams struggling offensively but excelling defensively, the matchup could quickly become a hard-fought battle. The low point total set at 133.5 highlights the uncertain scoring dynamics. Despite the odds, predictions lean towards Seton Hall overcoming their recent setbacks, encouraging belief that they can secure an essential win on the road against DePaul. This matchup not only provides an opportunity for Seton Hall to break their losing streak but also positions DePaul to continue building on their positive trajectory.