Seton Hall Pirates vs. Butler Bulldogs Picks, Predictions, Odds

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Jan. 4, 2022

Dan Dobish
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Seton Hall Pirates (9-3, 0-2 Big East) hit the road to face the Butler Bulldogs (8-4, 1-0) at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Tuesday. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on CBS Sports Network.

Score Prediction

Seton Hall 66, Butler 63

Best Bets

Butler +3.5 (-110) at DraftKings

Under 131 (-110) at DraftKings

Seton Hall Pirates vs. Butler Bulldogs Predictions

The last time we saw the Pirates they were ringing in the new year with a 73-67 loss against Villanova at home. After a 17-day break due to COVID issues and the holidays, Seton Hall has dropped a pair of games while also failing to cover against 'Nova and Providence on the road. In fact, Hall continues to deal with COVID problems, and they had just eight players available for the previous two losses. Seton Hall is also not practicing due to the COVID issues, so a little rust isn't shocking, it's expected, but they have played pretty well lately, all things considered. In fact, the Pirates lived up to their name, recording 17 steals from the opposition in the past two games despite being shorthanded.

The last time we saw the Bulldogs, they were posting a 63-59 win over DePaul at Hinkle on Dec. 29, their only game in the past 17 days, also due to COVID issues and the holidays. Prior to that, Butler was routed by Purdue on a neutral floor in Indianapolis on Dec. 18, falling 77-48.

With a lack of practicing, teams being a little shorthanded and the infrequency of games lately, the best bet might be the UNDER, as we could see some sloppy basketball, at least initially, before the teams get settled into a rhythm.

Seton Hall Pirates vs. Butler Bulldogs Betting Odds

• Seton Hall -200
• Butler +165
• Seton Hall -3.5 (-110)
• Butler +3.5 (-110)
• Over 131 (-110)
• Under 131 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

Seton Hall Pirates vs. Butler Bulldogs Betting Resources

• Matchup: Big East
• Date: Tuesday, January 4, 2022
• Venue: Hinkle Fieldhouse
• Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
• TV-Time: CBSSN - 8:00 p.m. ET

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

Seton Hall Pirates Betting Analysis

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

• SU: 9-3
• ATS: 6-5
• O/U: 5-6

Seton Hall has averaged 66.0 PPG in two games since returning, and the Pirates shot just 39% or 22-of-57 from the floor against the Wildcats last time out. There were some ugly numbers, including a Kadary Richmond's 1-for-9 night, finishing with just three points and six rebounds with four assists and two turnovers. Myles Cale also was just 2-for-9 from the floor, including 1-for-4 from behind the perimeter and 0-for-2 from the free-throw line, ending up with five points. Thankfully for the Pirates, Jared Rhoden was still available, and he contributed his usual steady production, going for 13 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.

The Pirates are 2-5 ATS in the past seven games on the road, while going 1-5 ATS in the past six games after a straight-up loss. They're also 2-8 ATS in the past 10 after a non-cover, too. The UNDER has connected in six straight on the road for Seton Hall, while going 11-5 in the past 16 games overall.

The Pirates have won three of the past four meetings in this series, although Seton Hall lost the most recent meeting in Indianapolis on Feb. 24, 2021 by a 61-52 score. The Pirates are also 0-3 ATS in the past three tries against the Bulldogs, with two straight UNDER results in the series.

Butler Bulldogs Betting Analysis

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

• SU: 8-4
• ATS: 3-7
• O/U: 1-9

The Bulldogs covered last time out against DePaul, cashing as 2.5-point favorites in a 63-59 victory. However, Butler hasn't covered in consecutive games since last season when they connected in a pair of home games against Seton Hall and Villanova on Feb. 24-28, 2021.

Butler is 2-5 ATS in the past seven games against teams with a winning record, and they're 0-4 ATS in the past four following a cover and 1-4 ATS in the past five following a straight-up win. For the totals, the Bulldogs are 7-1 ATS in the past eight home games, while going 9-2 in the past 11 games overall.

Butler has covered three in a row in the series, and it has won two of the past three at home against the Pirates. However, Butler is just 1-4 ATS in the past five games at home against Seton Hall. The underdog is also a perfect 7-0 ATS in the past seven meetings.

The underdog has cashed in each of the past seven meetings in this series. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Seton Hall Pirates

• Record: 9-3
• VI Ranking: 24
• PS/G: 77.8 (63rd)
• PA/G: 63.5 (76th)
• ORtg: 110.4 (48th)
• DRtg: 90.2 (56th)

Inside the Stats - Butler Bulldogs

• Record: 8-4
• VI Ranking: 41
• PS/G: 63.3 (323rd)
• PA/G: 59.9 (25th)
• ORtg: 97.9 (263rd)
• DRtg: 92.7 (89th)

Key Players to Watch

• HALL: Jared Rhoden - G (16.4 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 1.3 APG)
• HALL: Tyrese Samuel - F (10.8 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.2 BPG, 57.9 FG%)
• BUT: Chuck Harris - G (11.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 33.3 3P%)
• BUT: Jayden Taylor - G (10.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.3 APG, 41.3 FG%)

Seton Hall Pirates vs. Butler Bulldogs Betting Conclusion

We're going to see some sloppy basketball in Indianapolis as these teams slowly get back into the swing of things. Seton Hall has played two games since returning from COVID and the holidays, although it's been a slow go and they're not quite back to 100 percent full staff. The Pirates have played with a short bench with some players still in the protocol, and now a trip to Indianapolis against the defensive-minded Bulldogs won't do them any favors.

Butler likes to slow things down to a crawl, so you have to like the UNDER. In fact, the UNDER has cashed in all but one of the past 11 games for the Bulldogs. At Hinkle, the UNDER is 7-1 in the past eight, too, and that looks like the best play on the board. And with Seton Hall struggling with a short bench, the Pirates are likely going to take another low-scoring, heartbreaking loss.

Seton Hall Pirates vs. Butler Bulldogs Betting Trends

• Seton Hall is 2-5 ATS in the past seven road games.
• Seton Hall is 2-8 ATS in the past 10 after a non-cover.
• Seton Hall is 1-5 ATS in the past six after a SU loss.
• Butler is 2-5 ATS in the past seven vs. winning teams.
• Butler is 0-4 ATS in the past four after a non-cover.
• Butler is 1-4 ATS in the past five after a SU loss.
• The UNDER is 6-0 in the past six road games for Seton Hall.
• The UNDER is 11-5 in the past 16 games for Seton Hall.
• The UNDER is 7-1 in the past eight home games for Butler.
• The UNDER is 9-2 in the past 11 games for Butler.
• The underdog is 7-0 ATS in the past seven meetings.
• The road team is 5-1 ATS in the previous six meetings.

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