Seton Hall Pirates vs Xavier Musketeers Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Seton Hall Pirates (17-9. 8-8 Big East) will travel to take on the Xavier Musketeers (17-10, 7-9 Big East) Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio and can be viewed on FOX.

SCORE PREDICTION

Xavier 69, Seton Hall 67

BEST BETS

Seton Hall +3.5

SETON HALL PIRATES VS XAVIER MUSKETEERS PREDICTIONS

The Seton Hall Pirates are on a two-game winning streak after defeating the Butler Bulldogs this past Wednesday night 66-60. The Pirates shot 40% from the field, had eight blocks on the defensive end, and were able to win the rebounding battle 38-32, with 15 of those being offensive boards. Seton Hall is now 14-0 this season when holding opponents to under 70 points, and are currently sixth in the Big East with a conference record of 8-8. Xavier lost to the Providence Friars in triple OT 99-92 this past Wednesday night and have now lost three straight games.

The difference maker was the three-ball, with Providence shooting 48% from beyond the arc and Xavier shooting just 26%. The Musketeers stared this season 10-1, but have not been able to find consistent success within conference play with a record of 7-9 in the Big East. In the first matchup between these teams, Seton Hall won 73-71. The Pirates controlled the glass with 41 rebounds (17 OFF, 24 DEF) compared to Xavier’s 28 (4 OFF, 24 DEF).

The Musketeers were able to shoot 51% from the field but struggled from three, shooting 28% compared to the Pirates who shot 41% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc. I like the Pirates to cover in what should be another close matchup between the teams. I could see them potentially winning outright, but Xavier has been good at home so will stick with the Pirates and the points here.

SETON HALL PIRATES VS XAVIER MUSKETEERS BETTING ODDS

• Seton Hall +140
• Xavier -165
• Seton Hall +3.5 (-110)
• Xavier -3.5 (-110)
• Over 140.5 (-110)
• Under 140.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

SETON HALL PIRATES VS XAVIER MUSKETEERS BETTING RESOURCES

• Matchup: Big East
• Date: Saturday, February 26, 2022
• Venue: Cintas Center
• Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
• TV-Time: FOX - 3:30 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: 17-9
• ATS: 12-13-1
• O/U: 10-16

Seton Hall has struggled to cover this year with an ATS record of 12-13-1. They have seen a bit of success on the road, going 5-3-1 ATS in their away matchups. The Pirates were unable to cover in their first game against Xavier as three-point favorites. The total has gone under in 16 of Seton Hall’s 26 games played, including nine of the last 11.

Going against this trend, the total has gone over in five of their last six when playing on the road against Xavier. The Pirates offense is led by senior guard Jared Rhoden who is averaging 15.5 PPG, 7 RPG, and 1.2 APG. As a team, Seton Hall is averaging 74.3 PPG (104th), 42.3 FG% (269th), 33.9 PT%, (183rd), 10.5 APG (331st), and 39.5 RPG (22nd). If the Pirates can find a way to control the glass like they did in the first meeting with the Xavier, they will be tough to beat.

As mentioned earlier, Seton Hall has had tremendous success when the defense holds opponents to under 70 points. On the season, the Pirates are allowing 67.2 PPG (122nd), 40.3 FG% (33rd), 30.3 3PT% (40th), while averaging 7.2 SPG (111th), and 5.4 BPG (15th). Seton hall has not been as great in conference play, allowing 70.5 PPG. Seton Hall will want to tighten up the defense a bit in this matchup after allowing Xavier 51% shooting from the field in their first meeting.

XAVIER MUSKETEERS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 17-10
• ATS: 13-14
• O/U: 12-14-1

The Xavier Musketeers have not been profitable on the season with a 13-14 ATS record. In their last 10 games, the Musketeers are just 3-7 ATS and are 1-7 ATS in their last eight home games. The total has gone under in 14 of Xavier’s 27 games played. Going against this trend, the total has gone over in four of the last five games for the Musketeers.

The total has also gone over in five of the last six games when Xavier plays at home against Seton Hall. Xavier does not have one main scoring option, but does have four players averaging 10 points or more per game. Entering this matchup, the Musketeers are averaging 73.4 PPG (124th), 44.6 FG% (145th), 32.3 3PT% (255th), 14.1 APG (113th), and 37.1 RPG (78th). The Musketeers shot the ball 51% from the field in their first matchup with Seton Hall, but just 28% from three (4-14). Look for senior guard Nate Johnson to get going from long range this time around.

Johnson leads the team shooting 39% from three. Getting a few to fall would be huge in this one. The Musketeers have lost five of their last six, and the defense has allowed 77.8 PPG during that stretch. On the season, Xavier’s defense is allowing 67.4 PPG (130th), 41.9 FG% (107th), 32.8 3PT% (146th), while averaging 7.6 SPG (85th), and 4.6 BPG (43rd).

The Musketeers gave up 17 offensive rebounds in their first matchup against Seton Hall, which allowed the Pirates to shoot 16 more total field goals than Xavier. This was the key difference and Xavier will have to do better if they want to snap their three-game losing streak.

INSIDE THE STATS - SETON HALL PIRATES

• Record: 17-9 
• PS/G: 74.3 (104th)
• PA/G: 67.2 (125th)
• ORtg: 105.8 (115th)
• DRtg: 95.7 (77th)

INSIDE THE STATS - XAVIER MUSKETEERS

• Record: 17-10
• PS/G: 73.4 (126th)
• PA/G: 67.4 (132nd)
• ORtg: 105.1 (130th)
• DRtg: 96.5 (101st)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

• HALL: Jared Rhoden - G (15.5 ppg, 7 rpg)
• HALL: Bryce Aiken - G (14.5 ppg)
• XAV: Jack Nunge - F (13.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg)
• XAV: Paul Scruggs - G (12.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.1 apg)

SETON HALL PIRATES VS XAVIER MUSKETEERS BETTING CONCLUSION

This game should be similar to the first matchup, with it coming down to the final possessions. Xavier has hit a bit of a speed bump losing five of their last six. Although they have played well at home this season, losing five of six with the most recent loss coming after three overtimes is a bit concerning as a gambler. Seton Hall has not been perfect by any means, but they are finding ways to win games. With that being said, backing the Pirates and the points here.

SETON HALL PIRATES VS XAVIER MUSKETEERS BETTING TRENDS

• Xavier has failed to cover the spread in three straight games.
• Seton Hall has failed to cover the spread in two straight games.
• Seton Hall has gone UNDER the point total in 11 of its last 13 road games.
• Seton Hall has covered the spread in six of its last seven games when facing Xavier in Cincinnati.