Seton Hall vs. Saint Peter’s: Game preview, prediction, TV schedule
The Seton Hall Pirates look to build more momentum for their conference schedule by taking on the Saint Peter’s Peacocks in their historic home gymnasium.
TV Schedule: Tuesday, Dec. 12, 7:00 p.m. ET, FS1
Arena: Walsh Gymnasium, South Orange, New Jersey
The Seton Hall Pirates expected to face a significant challenge from the VCU Rams in the Never Forget Tribute Classic on Saturday. Instead, they took care of their business in a 90-67 win.
With just four games remaining on their non-conference schedule, the Pirates appear poised to enter Big East play with just one loss.
Seton Hall found balance in their victory on Saturday. Their five leading scorers all landed between 13 and 17 points, with senior Angel Delgado notching a double-double: 14 points, 13 rebounds.
Saint Peter’s shouldn’t be a major challenge for Seton Hall, but the Pirates shouldn’t look past the Peacocks. Saint Peter’s sports a 4-4 record, with none of their victories coming against a major conference team.
Starting guard Nick Griffin is dangerous, though. He averages 18.1 points per game, the fourth-best mark in the MAAC. Junior Sam Idowu is emerging as one of the team’s best defenders, blocking 1.1 shots per game.
This is the second – and last – time Saint Peter’s will play a major conference foe this season; they fell to Northwestern by nine points in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament.
When the new AP Poll comes out on Monday, the Pirates will surely rise from their No. 19 ranking. The last time they were higher than that in the polls was 17 years ago (h/t New York Post).
This being the final season for many of their best players – including Delgado – the motivation will be high to maintain the team’s ranking and shoot for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they will aim to get out of the first round for the first time since 2004.
A let-up to Saint Peter’s at home is possible for Seton Hall…but not likely.
Prediction: Seton Hall 80, Saint Peter’s 61