Preview
Every game in the Big East is a must-win, but Tuesday's game holds particular urgency for Seton Hall.
Two wins short of its first 20-win season since 2004 and only its third in the last 19 years, Seton Hall stands on the plank when it comes to an at-large bid. Tied for ninth in the conference with Connecticut and listed as among the last four in the upcoming NCAA tournament by ESPN's latest projection, the Hall knows its end of season matchups with Rutgers and DePaul aren't going to make much of an impact, but a win over #9 Georgetown would. The Pirates need to win two of its final three to get to 9-9 in Big East play (a general threshold for Big East at-large candidates).
For Georgetown, the stakes are different. Tied for fourth with South Florida and only a game ahead of three other teams, the Hoyas can't falter if it wants one of the four coveted double-bye invitations for the Big East tournament beginning in two weeks. As with Providence, it's a game Georgetown should (and needs to) win.
Seton Hall has been on a run of streaks this season. Following a loss to Syracuse to begin conference play, the Pirates won its next four, then lost six straight, then won three more in a row before Saturday's 62-57 loss to Cincinnati. To right the ship, a young Pirate team will look to its two seniors to carry the load.
Point guard Jordan Theodore leads the Pirates in scoring (15.7) and at 82%, the best of a spotty free throw shooting team. Theodore puts up a lot of shots (14.1 per game), and his 37 percent average suggests a lot of opportunities. Theodore will drive inside and his ability to get to the line will be critical for Seton Hall in games. Against Cincinnati on Saturday, Theodore was only 6-21 and got to the line just three times, both of which may have been the difference in a five point loss.
Freshman Aaron Cosby isn't Jeremy Hazell, but he has acquitted himself well in Big East play, with a season high 19 points versus Pitt and three double figure games in his last five. Cosby has attempted threes in 84 of his 112 attempts in conference play, so perimeter defense will be crucial in limiting his effectiveness.
A three guard lineup figures to give sophomore Fuquan Edwin the best opportunity to be an impact player. Edwin is the team's best shooter at 42 percent, and is third in the nation in steals, giving him a tough defensive presence as well. Edwin had a season high 28 in January versus DePaul and after six of his last seven games in single digits, Edwin led the Pirates with 15 versus Cincinnati.
Up front, all eyes will be on senior Herb Pope. Pope has scored in double figures in all but two Big East games this year, but when he struggles the Pirates do so as well, none more so than a 2-16 effort versus Notre Dame. At 15 points and 10 rebounds a game, Pope has been very effective in getting position and scoring inside, though his free throw shooting (.553 in Big East play) is suspect. Pope had 16 points and nine rebounds versus the Hoyas last season before fouling out late, and the Pirates cannot afford another foul out in a game like this.
At 6-9, Brandon Mobley has struggled from the field (33 percent) and will likely platoon at power forward with sophomore Patrick Auda (6.7 ppg). Seton Hall does not carry a deep bench and four of its starters figure to see 30 or more minutes each for the game.
The Pirates do best in a fast paced game, as their lack of shooting prowess can hurt them when possessions are curtailed. Seton Hall enters the game ranked last in two point shooting percentage. Defensively, they can lock opponents down, and rank in the top five in the Big East in points allowed and rebounds. While Edwin and Cosby can each make an impact, the ability of Theodore and Pope to control the game is vital for Seton Hall's strategy in this one.
Keys to the game:
Points Per Possession: Seton Hall enters the game 17-2 when scoring 60 or more points, but a poor night of shooting can dig the Pirates a deep hole. As it has done in its last two games, Georgetown favors a slower pace and a defense that forces Seton Hall into poor shooting habits for the evening.
Perimeter Defense: Seton Hall leads the conference in three pointers per game (8.5) and if Georgetown is able to close the middle, especially Pope, the Pirates will live or die from outside.
Hollis Thompson: After an 18 point effort against Connecticut, Thompson has averaged an even 10 points a game in his last four starts, with only five three pointers over those four games. A big game from outside would be timely.
Every game in the Big East is a must-win, but Tuesday's game holds particular urgency for Seton Hall.
Two wins short of its first 20-win season since 2004 and only its third in the last 19 years, Seton Hall stands on the plank when it comes to an at-large bid. Tied for ninth in the conference with Connecticut and listed as among the last four in the upcoming NCAA tournament by ESPN's latest projection, the Hall knows its end of season matchups with Rutgers and DePaul aren't going to make much of an impact, but a win over #9 Georgetown would. The Pirates need to win two of its final three to get to 9-9 in Big East play (a general threshold for Big East at-large candidates).
For Georgetown, the stakes are different. Tied for fourth with South Florida and only a game ahead of three other teams, the Hoyas can't falter if it wants one of the four coveted double-bye invitations for the Big East tournament beginning in two weeks. As with Providence, it's a game Georgetown should (and needs to) win.
Seton Hall has been on a run of streaks this season. Following a loss to Syracuse to begin conference play, the Pirates won its next four, then lost six straight, then won three more in a row before Saturday's 62-57 loss to Cincinnati. To right the ship, a young Pirate team will look to its two seniors to carry the load.
Point guard Jordan Theodore leads the Pirates in scoring (15.7) and at 82%, the best of a spotty free throw shooting team. Theodore puts up a lot of shots (14.1 per game), and his 37 percent average suggests a lot of opportunities. Theodore will drive inside and his ability to get to the line will be critical for Seton Hall in games. Against Cincinnati on Saturday, Theodore was only 6-21 and got to the line just three times, both of which may have been the difference in a five point loss.
Freshman Aaron Cosby isn't Jeremy Hazell, but he has acquitted himself well in Big East play, with a season high 19 points versus Pitt and three double figure games in his last five. Cosby has attempted threes in 84 of his 112 attempts in conference play, so perimeter defense will be crucial in limiting his effectiveness.
A three guard lineup figures to give sophomore Fuquan Edwin the best opportunity to be an impact player. Edwin is the team's best shooter at 42 percent, and is third in the nation in steals, giving him a tough defensive presence as well. Edwin had a season high 28 in January versus DePaul and after six of his last seven games in single digits, Edwin led the Pirates with 15 versus Cincinnati.
Up front, all eyes will be on senior Herb Pope. Pope has scored in double figures in all but two Big East games this year, but when he struggles the Pirates do so as well, none more so than a 2-16 effort versus Notre Dame. At 15 points and 10 rebounds a game, Pope has been very effective in getting position and scoring inside, though his free throw shooting (.553 in Big East play) is suspect. Pope had 16 points and nine rebounds versus the Hoyas last season before fouling out late, and the Pirates cannot afford another foul out in a game like this.
At 6-9, Brandon Mobley has struggled from the field (33 percent) and will likely platoon at power forward with sophomore Patrick Auda (6.7 ppg). Seton Hall does not carry a deep bench and four of its starters figure to see 30 or more minutes each for the game.
The Pirates do best in a fast paced game, as their lack of shooting prowess can hurt them when possessions are curtailed. Seton Hall enters the game ranked last in two point shooting percentage. Defensively, they can lock opponents down, and rank in the top five in the Big East in points allowed and rebounds. While Edwin and Cosby can each make an impact, the ability of Theodore and Pope to control the game is vital for Seton Hall's strategy in this one.
Keys to the game:
Points Per Possession: Seton Hall enters the game 17-2 when scoring 60 or more points, but a poor night of shooting can dig the Pirates a deep hole. As it has done in its last two games, Georgetown favors a slower pace and a defense that forces Seton Hall into poor shooting habits for the evening.
Perimeter Defense: Seton Hall leads the conference in three pointers per game (8.5) and if Georgetown is able to close the middle, especially Pope, the Pirates will live or die from outside.
Hollis Thompson: After an 18 point effort against Connecticut, Thompson has averaged an even 10 points a game in his last four starts, with only five three pointers over those four games. A big game from outside would be timely.
