Michigan State vs. Seton Hall: 2019-20 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
By Ryan Kay
On a Thursday evening in an epic clash of top-12 ranked teams, the No. 3 Michigan State Spartans travel to play the Seton Hall Pirates in hope of redeeming themselves for losing to now No. 1 ranked Kentucky.
TV Schedule: Thursday, November 14th, 8:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
This game is the most anticipated match-up for this year’s Gavitt Tipoff games which is an annual showcase of teams from the Big Ten and Big East squaring off against one another. Michigan State is making its first appearance in the Gavitt Tipoff Games and they are looking for a signature win. Seton Hall after facing two inferior opponents in Wagner and Stoney Brook, face their first major challenge of the season. Let’s take a look at this early season battle between two teams with championship aspirations.
Both teams have not had the start to their season that they had hoped for. For example, Seton Hall’s head coach Kevin Willard was not on the sidelines as part of a school-imposed suspension. Willard, who is starting his 10th season as the Pirates’ head coach, has been alleged and accused of transfer tampering, thus as part of an NCAA investigation, the school decided to have him sit out their exhibition game and their first regular-season game.
To make matters worse for the Pirates, star preseason Big East player of the year and All American selection Myles Powell sprained his left ankle five minutes into the Pirates last game and will not be available for their game against the Spartans. Michigan State has had a rough start to the season as well.
Prior to the start of the season, star senior shooting guard Joshua Langford reinjured his foot and will be re-evaluated in January. Michigan State also had another top-tier player unavailable to start the season. Michigan State’s waiver request for Marquette transfer Joey Hauser was denied by the NCAA, but the school submitted an appeal and Hauser is waiting for an answer on his appeal. At this point, the best hope is for him to be eligible to play by the end of 1st semester. Tragedy also was felt by the Spartan family as star point guard Cassius Winston’s brother Zachary passed away Saturday night. Winston posted on Instagram an inspiring and heartfelt message honoring his late brother.
Both teams have hurdles and obstacles to overcome in this highly anticipated match up but both teams will be well prepared for this top 12 battle among two highly talented teams.
Seton Hall is looking to build on last season’s success when they beat Kentucky, Miami, and Maryland in non-conference play before beating Marquette, Creighton, and Georgetown twice and Villanova in Big East Play. Their star players from last season Tyrone Nesby IV and Myles Powell return but as noted earlier, Powell will not play against the Spartans due to injury. The Pirates return as well, Quincy McKnight, Myles Cale, and Sandro Mamukelashvili. Seton Hall only lost forward Michael Nzei from last season’s team who was a contributor but they bring in a key transfer big man in Ike Obiagu from Florida State. The Pirates have experience and talent and are a formidable opponent for Michigan State, especially in front of their home crowd.
This game versus Seton Hall on their home court may possibly be the biggest challenge in terms of matchups and going up again a veteran well-coached team for Michigan State. This has the makings of the game Michigan State played last season at Louisville where they lost in overtime.
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However, the senior leadership of Winston and Kyle Ahrens will do their best to overcome the rowdy crowd in the Prudential Center and find a way to escape with a victory. However, Rocket Watts and Xavier Tillman need to step up offensively and Thomas Kithier and Gabe Brown have to play well defensively for the Spartans to win.