Xavier vs Seton Hall Odds
| Xavier Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -110 | 140.5 -110o / -110u | -120 |
| Seton Hall Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -110 | 140.5 -110o / -110u | +100 |
The Xavier Musketeers will travel to play the Seton Hall Pirates after dropping three of four Big East games.
Two of those games came against Butler and Villanova, which are not the best losses.
The Musketeers desperately need this win in hopes of possibly attaining a top seed in the Big East Tournament.
Seton Hall will want to play spoiler, and like Xavier, it has dropped three of four. Villanova was the weakest of those losses.
This Pirates team thrives off of a phenomenal defense and should be able to hold the struggling Musketeers somewhat in check.
Look for the total to go under in this matchup.
Xavier Musketeers
Xavier is the opposite of Seton Hall. The Musketeers rank 10th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency and 83rd on the defensive end, per KenPom. They also run at the 25th-ranked Adjusted Tempo.
However, Seton Hall does only one thing well on the offensive side of the ball, and that is getting to the free-throw line. The Pirates rank 11th in the nation in free-throw attempt rate at 41.4% while shooting a paltry 32.4% from distance and 48.5% from 2-point range.
Xavier may falter at times defensively, but it ranks 56th in the country in free-throw attempt percentage at 26.7%.
In addition, the Musketeers actually do not allow many 3s from opponents. They rank 69th in the NCAA in 3-point attempt rate on defense while yielding a hit rate of 36.4%.
Luckily for them, Seton Hall ranks 301st in 3-point attempt rate offensively at 32.5%. Per ShotQuality, the Pirates also rank 261st in Rim & 3 Rate and 204th in Open 3 Rate.
This offense is not efficient and plays into two Xavier strengths.
Lastly, per ShotQuality, the Musketeers rank 60th in Rim & 3 Rate, furthering the inefficiencies for the Pirates on offense.
Seton Hall Pirates
Seton Hall’s offense is terrible, but how does it play defense? Well, it ranks 14th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency. The Pirates are holding opponents to an eFG% of 46.6% (28th in the country), per KenPom.
They also hold opponents to less than 30% from deep and under 48% from 2-point range.
Xavier shoots 39.4% from 3-point range and 54.5% from 2-point range while launching 3s only 31.4% of the time.
Of the 3s the Musketeers take, Seton Hall should be able to defend them. The Pirates rank 30th in Open 3 Rate.
Adding on, the Pirates rank 23rd in off-the-dribble 3-point points per possession (PPP).
Much of the gas that keeps the Musketeers' offensive engine running comes from isolations. They rank seventh in the nation at 1.02 PPP. Meanwhile, Seton Hall is elite at defending iso-ball at 0.81 PPP, which ranks second in the nation.
Essentially, Seton Hall should put up a brick wall where Xavier is used to manufacturing points.
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Photo by CBB Analytics
Rebounding-wise, Seton Hall ranks 154th while Xavier ranks 114th. This is a clear advantage for the Musketeers, but Kadary Richmond, KC Ndefo, Femi Odukale and Tyrese Samuel do have the propensity to haul in boards.
They will just need to have a strong day on the court to limit second scoring chances for the Musketeers.
Xavier vs Seton Hall Betting Pick
Xavier will be the better offensive team in this game, but Seton Hall will hang tight with the Musketeers.
The Pirates have the defense to limit Xavier’s 3-point and interior attack.
They can also slow the pace down to their liking on their home court.
Xavier sometimes will have troubles defensively, but it will contain Seton Hall by rebounding, not fouling and not giving up a ton of 3-point looks.
Take the under in this game from 141 (-110), and play it to 140 (-110).
