The Seton Hall Pirates, currently on the NCAA Tournament bubble with a 50 NET rank, are hosting the DePaul Blue Demons in a crucial matchup that could significantly impact their tournament chances, with the Pirates averaging 69.4 points per game over their last five contests. DePaul, on the other hand, is in dire need of quality wins to bolster their resume, having lost four of their last five games, including a 61-70 loss at Georgetown, where they were outscored by 9 points in the second half. The Pirates' recent form, which includes a 69-64 win over Marquette, suggests they have the momentum going into this game, having outscored their opponents by 1.2 points per game over the last five.
The DePaul Blue Demons have struggled to find consistency, averaging 65.4 points per game over their last five, while allowing 73.4 points per game, resulting in a -8.0 point differential, which is a significant concern for their coaching staff. In contrast, the Pirates have been solid on defense, allowing just 68.2 points per game over the same period, which could be the deciding factor in this matchup. The Pirates' ability to limit their opponents' scoring has been crucial in their recent wins, including a 63-56 victory at Butler, where they held the Bulldogs to just 31.7% shooting from the field. With the Pirates' defense clicking, it will be interesting to see how the Blue Demons' offense, which has been struggling to score, will fare.
DePaul's Struggles on the Road
Key Matchups
The Pirates' recent success can be attributed to their balanced offense, with multiple players contributing to their scoring efforts, including a 24-point performance by their leading scorer in the win over Providence. The Blue Demons, on the other hand, have been relying heavily on their star player, who has been averaging 18.5 points per game over the last five, but has been struggling with his shooting, making just 38.5% of his field goal attempts. The matchup between the Pirates' defense and the Blue Demons' offense matters, as the Pirates have been able to shut down their opponents' top scorers, holding them to just 35.7% shooting from the field over the last five games.
The Pirates' 3-2 record over their last five games is a reflection of their resilience, having bounced back from tough losses to Creighton and Villanova with wins over Marquette and Providence. The Blue Demons, however, have been struggling to bounce back from their losses, having lost four of their last five, including a heartbreaking 66-68 loss at Xavier, where they were outscored by 5 points in the final 2 minutes. The Pirates' ability to close out games has been impressive, having won two of their last three games by 5 points or less, including a 69-64 win over Marquette, where they outscored the Golden Eagles by 4 points in the final 5 minutes.
CHD Scout Prediction
DePaul
65
Seton Hall
74
The CHD Scout prediction has the Pirates winning by 8.5 points, with a 76.7% win probability, which is largely due to their strong defense and balanced offense. The Pirates' ability to limit their opponents' scoring and control the tempo of the game has been key to their success, and it's likely that they will employ a similar strategy against the Blue Demons. The Blue Demons, on the other hand, must find a way to overcome their recent struggles and capitalize on any mistakes made by the Pirates. With the Pirates' defense allowing just 68.2 points per game over the last five, it will be a tough task for the Blue Demons to score enough points to keep up.
The Blue Demons' recent struggles have been largely due to their inability to score consistently, having been held to 65 points or less in three of their last five games. The Pirates, on the other hand, have been able to score at least 60 points in four of their last five games, including a 87-point outburst against Providence. The matchup between the Pirates' offense and the Blue Demons' defense matters, as the Blue Demons have been struggling to defend against balanced offenses, allowing 73.4 points per game over the last five. The Pirates' ability to spread the ball around and get multiple players involved in the scoring has been key to their success, and it's likely that they will continue to employ this strategy against the Blue Demons.
Tournament Stakes
A win for the Pirates would be a significant boost to their tournament chances, as it would give them a much-needed quality win over a conference opponent. The Pirates' current NET rank of 50 is precarious, and a loss could drop them out of the tournament picture altogether. On the other hand, a win for the Blue Demons would be a huge upset, and would give them a much-needed quality win to add to their resume. The Blue Demons' current NET rank of 109 is well outside the tournament bubble, but a win over the Pirates could potentially move them into the conversation. The stakes are high for both teams, and it's likely that the game will be closely contested, with the Pirates' defense and the Blue Demons' offense being the key factors in determining the outcome.
The Pirates' recent success has been largely due to their ability to control the tempo of the game, having outscored their opponents by 1.2 points per game over the last five. The Blue Demons, on the other hand, have been struggling to keep up with their opponents' pace, having been outscored by 8.0 points per game over the last five. The matchup between the Pirates' defense and the Blue Demons' offense matters, as the Pirates have been able to shut down their opponents' top scorers and limit their scoring opportunities. The Blue Demons must find a way to overcome their recent struggles and capitalize on any mistakes made by the Pirates if they hope to pull off the upset. With the Pirates' defense allowing just 68.2 points per game over the last five, it will be a tough task for the Blue Demons to score enough points to keep up.
HEADLINE: Seton Hall Pirates Host DePaul Blue Demons in Crucial Conference Matchup SUBHEADLINE: The DePaul Blue Demons have lost four of their last five games, including a 61-70 loss at Georgetown, and are in desperate need of a quality win to boost their tournament chances, having been outscored by 8.0 points per game over that stretch.