Texas Longhorns vs. Seton Hall Pirates Picks, Predictions, Odds

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Dec. 9, 2021

Dan Dobish
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Texas Longhorns (6-1) and the Seton Hall Pirates (7-1) meet in the Big East-Big 12 battle on Thursday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on FOX Sports 1.

Score Prediction

Texas 74, Seton Hall 69

Best Bets

Texas -1.5 at Atlantis

Texas Longhorns vs. Seton Hall Pirates Predictions

Seton Hall is coming off a 113-67 thrashing of Nyack College, a Division II team from the CACC. The Pirates actually only led 48-34 before dropping the hammer and boat-racing the Warriors 65-33 in the second half. In the most recent game with a line, the Pirates were able to drop Wagner 85-63 at The Pru, covering an 18-point number as the OVER connected. Six Pirates reached double digits in points, and that's the type of total effort which will be needed if they want to drop the Longhorns Thursday.

Texas humbled the Vaqueros of Texas-Rio Grande Valley last time out by an 88-58 score, covering a 25.5-point number in Austin as the OVER cashed. That's five in a row for the Longhorns in the W ledger after getting tripped up at Gonzaga on Nov. 13 for their only setback of the season. Texas has been a little inconsistent on offense, going for 74 or fewer points in four of seven games overall this season, but they use a lockdown defense to make up for not lighting up the score offensively. It's a recipe which has been working.

Texas Longhorns vs. Seton Hall Pirates Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

• Texas -1.5 (-110)
• Seton Hall +1.5 (-110)
• Over 135.5 (-110)
• Under 135.5 (-110)

Texas Longhorns vs. Seton Hall Pirates Betting Resources

• Matchup: Big 12 vs. Big East
• Date: Thursday, December 9, 2021
• Venue: Prudential Center
• Location: Newark, New Jersey
• TV-Time: FS1 - 6:30 p.m. ET

• Injury Report
• Wooden Award Odds
• Conference Futures Market
• Power Rankings

Texas Longhorns Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 6-1
• ATS: 4-3
• O/U: 3-4

Texas smoked UTRGV, covering for the third time in the past four games. The OVER has hit in consecutive games for the 'Horns after a 4-1 start for the UNDER.

The Longhorns rank 15th in the nation with a 49.9 FG%, and they're 20th from long distance, hitting 39.4% from behind the arc. Texas is still just 103rd overall in points at 76.6 PPG, and they're just so-so at the free-throw, hitting at a 74.6% clip. The latter is something which could be a concern in closer games.

Defensively, Texas locks it down better than most anyone. They're fifth in the country, allowing just 55.3 PPG, and 149th with a 41.6 defensive FG%. When they need a board, it's Timmy Allen they look to, and when they need a swat it's all about Tre Mitchell.

Seton Hall Pirates Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 7-1
• ATS: 4-3
• O/U: 3-4

The Pirates are definitely battled tested, that's for sure. Yes, they did play a D-2 team last time out, but you can forgive them if they wanted a cupcake after facing the likes of Michigan, Ohio State and California. They Pirates sunk the Wolverines in Ann Arbor by a 67-65 score, winning outright as eight-point underdogs in a banner week for the Big East, and a nightmare start for the Big Ten. The latter has since recovered. SHU gave Ohio State all it could handle in a neutral-site game in Naples, Fla., too, falling just 79-76 as the OVER connected.

Seton Hall's cover against Wagner slapped the brakes on an 0-3 ATS slid, and the OVER is now 3-1 in the previous four outings for the Pirates. SHU also carries a 5-0 SU/3-1 ATS mark this season at the Prudential Center into play.

One area of concern for the Pirates is on the injury front, as G Bryce Aiken and G Jahari Long are considered question marks. The Aiken situation is of more concern, as he Aiken averages 9.9 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.3 SPG.

Seton Hall has won four straight since its lone loss to Ohio State on a neutral-site court. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Texas Longhorns

• Record: 6-1
• VI Ranking: 9
• PS/G: 76.6 (103rd)
• PA/G: 55.3 (5th)
• ORtg: 118.3 (10th)
• DRtg: 85.4 (21st)

Inside the Stats - Seton Hall Pirates

• Record: 7-1
• VI Ranking: 23
• PS/G: 82.5 (26th)
• PA/G: 62.0 (62nd)
• ORtg: 114.8 (28th)
• DRtg: 86.3 (28th)

Key Players to Watch

• TEX – Timmy Allen - G (13.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.0 SPG)
• TEX – Tre Mitchell - C (10.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.1 SPG)
• HALL – Jared Rhoden - G (17.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 1.4 APG)
• HALL – Tyrese Samuel - F (11.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 55.9 FG%)

Texas Longhorns vs. Seton Hall Pirates Betting Conclusion

Seton Hall isn't going to be fazed when facing another ranked opponent, and it is getting Texas at home. However, the Longhorns aren't going to be fazed, either. This team held their own at the McCarthey Athletic Center at Gonzaga, in front of a raucous crowd, so the spacious Prudential Center won't be intimidating.

The Longhorns have a little more depth, and I am concerned about the injury issues for the Pirates. Aiken would be a huge miss if he is unable to play, and Long is a good depth player if he is unavailable. Even so, with those two on the court, I think Texas is a little deeper and a little more talented than the hosts. However, this should be a good battle to kick off the Big East/Big 12 Battle.

Texas Longhorns vs. Seton Hall Pirates Betting Trends

• Texas is 3-1 ATS in the past four games overall.
• Texas is 7-3 ATS in the past 10 games as a favorite.
• Seton Hall is 1-3 ATS across the past four games overall.
• The OVER is 6-3 in the past nine road games for Texas.
• The OVER is 3-1 in the past four games overall for Seton Hall.

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