No. 10 Seton Hall hits the road Saturday to take on Providence in a Big East battle. Regardless of any recent circumstances or results, Seton Hall is still one of the best teams in the nation. The Pirates fell to Creighton over the past week, but the Blue Jays are a top 25 team as well, and the Big East remains one of the strongest conferences in the nation.
Seton Hall enters the game at 18-5 overall and 10-2 in the Big East. Despite the recent loss to Creighton, the Pirates have a solid two-game lead in the Big East.
They are led by national player of the year candidate Myles Powell (21.4 points), but this is not a one-dimensional team. Seton Hall also boasts high-level players Quincy McKnight (11.8 points, 5.5 assists) at the guard position and forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (10.5 points, 5.1 rebounds), among others.
Providence comes into the game as one of the potential bubble teams in the Big East. The Friars were a possible tournament team prior to the season but have lost six of their last nine games and have fallen out of the tournament conversation.
Ed Cooley and the Friars still boast a solid roster led by Alpha Diallo (13.2 points, 8.1 rebounds) and sophomore guard David Duke (12.5 points, 3.4 assists).
The Friars were not predicted to be a force in the Big East nor an NCAA Tournament contender, but there is always optimism within this program due to its being led by Cooley, who is one of the most respected coaches in the college basketball universe.
Providence is a 3.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 137.5.
Pirating the top of the Big East
Seton Hall has been a top 15 team led by one of the top players in the nation in Myles Powell all season. The Pirates are an incredible 15-8-1 against the spread this season, including a fantastic 6-3 ATS on the road and 10-4 in their last 14 games against the Friars on the road.
Despite having one of the premier scorers in the country, they have hit the under in 12 of their 24 games this season and six of their nine true road games.
Diallo is the leader of a beta club
Simply said, Providence should be better. The Friars are a solid 9-3 straight up at home, but a mediocre 6-6 against the spread within the friendly confines. The Friars are a less than desirable 10-6 as a favorite this season and are 2-5 ATS in their last seven.
The Friars have hit the under in 13 of their 25 games this season, including four of their last five games.
Even on the road, the Pirates should be favorite
The Friars being a favorite by more than a point or a point and a half is interesting. It makes you wonder what you are missing. The simple truth of the matter is that the Pirates of Myles Powell and the Friars do not.
Even at home, the Friars have not been overly convincing, while the Pirates have maintained a top 15 status for much of the season. Simply put, Seton Hall should be favored by the same number that they are catching.
Romaro Gill is good enough to shut down the Providence frontcourt, and with a healthy Mamu, Seton Hall is one of the best teams in the nation. The emergence of Quincy McKnight makes the Pirates a legit title contender. Don’t overthink it. Take the Pirates to cover, win, and hit the over.
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