The Seton Hall Pirates, led by AJ Staton-McCray's 19 points, secured a hard-fought 63-56 win over the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse, a venue where Butler has struggled to find consistency, with a 13-13 record and a 74 NET ranking. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets in the first half, which ended with Seton Hall trailing by just 1 point, 24-23. However, in the second half, Seton Hall's offense came alive, scoring 40 points and outscoring Butler by 8, to take control of the game. This win marks Seton Hall's 4th victory in their last 6 games, with their only losses coming against Creighton and Villanova, two of the top teams in the Big East. Seton Hall's recent form has been impressive, with an average of 74 points per game over their last 5 outings, and this win will only add to their momentum. Butler, on the other hand, has been struggling, losing all 5 of their last games, including a 87-97 defeat at Providence and a 70-92 loss at St. John's, and this loss will only exacerbate their woes.
Butler's Michael Ajayi was a bright spot for the Bulldogs, scoring 21 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to overcome the balanced attack of Seton Hall. The Pirates had 3 players score in double figures, including Mike Williams, who chipped in with 10 points, and Tajuan Simpkins, who added 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Seton Hall's ability to spread the scoring around and get contributions from multiple players was a key factor in their victory. The Pirates also did a great job of containing Butler's supporting cast, holding Yohan Traore and Jamie Kaiser Jr. to just 9 and 8 points, respectively. With 12 minutes left in the game, Seton Hall went on a 10-2 run, capped off by a Staton-McCray three-pointer, to take a 49-42 lead, and they never looked back. This run was pivotal, as it allowed Seton Hall to take control of the game and dictate the pace.
Seton Hall's AJ Staton-McCray Has Scored in Double Figures in 12 Consecutive Games
The stat lines don't tell the whole story, as AJ Staton-McCray's 19 points came on 7-12 shooting, including 3-5 from beyond the arc, and he also grabbed 5 rebounds. Tajuan Simpkins' all-around game was instrumental in Seton Hall's win, as he scored, rebounded, and distributed the ball with ease. On the other hand, Butler's Michael Ajayi, despite his impressive numbers, was unable to will his team to victory, and his supporting cast was largely absent. Yohan Traore and Jamie Kaiser Jr. combined for just 17 points, and their lack of production was a major factor in Butler's loss. Seton Hall's bench also outscored Butler's 15-11, with 8 of those points coming from reserve guard, Dre Davis. With 5 minutes left in the game, Seton Hall's bench scored 5 consecutive points, including a three-pointer by Davis, to seal the win.
The CHD Scout prediction of a 0.6-point Seton Hall victory was remarkably accurate, given the final margin of 7 points.
CHD Scout Report Card
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The model correctly identified Seton Hall's balanced offense and stout defense as the key factors in their victory. Seton Hall's ability to score from multiple positions and their commitment to defense, which has been a hallmark of their team all season, allowed them to overcome Butler's strong rebounding effort. The Bulldogs outrebounded Seton Hall 37-29, but were unable to capitalize on their advantages on the glass, due to their poor shooting, which included a 2-14 performance from three-point range. Seton Hall's defense was able to limit Butler's scoring opportunities, holding them to just 32 points in the second half, and their offense was able to take advantage of Butler's defensive lapses, scoring 40 points in the second half.
As the season enters its final stretch, this win could have real consequences for Seton Hall's tournament seeding. With an 18-8 record and a 51 NET ranking, the Pirates are firmly in the mix for a top-5 seed in the NCAA tournament.
This victory, combined with their recent wins over Providence, Marquette, and Xavier, has Seton Hall poised to make a deep run in the tournament. The Pirates' Quad 1 win over Butler will only add to their resume, and their ability to win on the road, in a hostile environment, will be a major factor in their favor when it comes to seeding. On the other hand, Butler's loss drops them to 13-13, and with a 74 NET ranking, their tournament hopes are all but extinguished. The Bulldogs must win out and get some help from other teams in order to have any chance of making the tournament. With this loss, Butler's chances of making the tournament are now less than 5%, according to the latest projections.
In the end, Seton Hall's win over Butler was a reflection of their strength and depth, and it has real consequences for their tournament chances. The Pirates' ability to win on the road, in a tough environment, will be a major factor in their favor when it comes to seeding, and their recent form has them poised to make a deep run in the tournament. With 4 games left in the regular season, Seton Hall want to continue their momentum and secure a top-5 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Pirates' next game is against St. John's, a team that has been struggling lately, and a win would give Seton Hall a 19-8 record and a 52 NET ranking, making them a near-lock for the tournament.