Seton Hall Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Pirates

Non-Conference Schedule Analysis

Nov. 15 – Indiana

Nov. 23-24 – NIT Season Tip-off (Rhode Island, Vanderbilt/Virginia)

Nov. 30 – Texas Tech (Neutral Site)

Dec. 3 – at Louisville

Dec. 9 – VCU

Dec. 16 – at Rutgers

Seton Hall plays a strong non-conference schedule which is highlighted by a trip to Louisville. The Cardinals are a top-25 team even without Brian Bowen or their former head coach so playing them on the road will be an extremely difficult test.

The NIT Season Tip-Off provides Seton Hall an opportunity to grab two resume-building wins in the early part of the season. A first-round matchup against A-10 favorite Rhode Island will be a challenge. The Rams are led by senior guards E.C. Matthews and Jared Terrell and will not back down to a favored Pirates team. Seton Hall then plays Vanderbilt or Virginia. Virginia is the stronger opponent, even with a new-look lineup, but Vanderbilt has a bevy of shooters to keep opposing defenses on edge.

Seton Hall’s neutral court match-up versus Texas Tech will be a sneaky tough game. The Red Raiders are one of the most under-the-radar teams in the country, led by senior guard Keenan Evans and senior big man Zach Smith. They are senior-laden and are a legitimate contender to sneak into tournament consideration.

The Pirates should be heavy favorites in games against Indiana, VCU, and at Rutgers. Indiana and VCU have undergone heavy player and coach turnover and look NIT bound. Rutgers is a Big Ten bottom feeder, but rivalry game results can sometimes defy logic.

Overall, this schedule gives the Pirates plenty of opportunities to grab quality non-conference wins before a grueling Big East slate.