The Seton Hall Pirates open their 2017-18 campaign ranked in the top 25, but can they hold off a legitimate NEC contender in Fairleigh Dickinson on opening night?
TV Schedule: Friday, Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 2
Arena: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
For the first time in a while, we know that the Seton Hall Pirates are going to be really, really good heading into a college basketball season.
Don’t get me wrong; the Pirates are always on the verge of being a great team and have been for some time. However, we never really find out what this team is made of until they do something crazy like win the Big East Tournament or defeat a previously undefeated Villanova team.
This season, Seton Hall begins as a top 25 team in the country due to several returning veterans and could legitimately be one of the most underrated teams in college basketball. Their borderline top 25 ranking rather than a spot in the top 20 could be due to the fact that when many hear “Big East” their recency bias has them thinking “Villanova” rather than “Seton Hall.”
The Pirates open their 2017-18 campaign against Fairleigh Dickinson and, no, that’s not the name of a guy who is trying to sell you insurance.
The Knights started off last season by getting just two wins in their first 11 games, including a 50-point loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats. They would then start out 4-0 in conference play, and then win four more straight to be sitting at 8-1 in the NEC in late January. Unfortunately, the Knights would then lose eight of their last nine games to finish with a dismal 9-9 conference record, 11-19 overall
This season, Fairleigh Dickinson might be a bit better and a legitimate contender in the NEC. Picked to finish second by the preseason media poll, this team could be one to keep an eye on.
Next: 2017-18 Seton Hall season preview
Unfortunately, there is little chance of an upset in this one, as Seton Hall is too strong. I might give Fairleigh Dickinson a chance at an upset over a weaker high-major team, but a top 35 team at home is not losing to a team from the NEC.
Prediction: Seton Hall 88, Fairleigh Dickinson 70