Xavier vs. Seton Hall: 2019-20 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

The Xavier Musketeers come into New Jersey to take on Myles Powell and a red hot Seton Hall team. Who’ll win

Who: Xavier Musketeers (13-8, 2-6) vs. 10. Seton Hall Pirates (16-4, 8-0)

When: Saturday, February 1st at 11:00 AM

Where: Prudential Center in Newark, NJ

TV Schedule: FOX

Undefeated in the Big East this season, Seton Hall has won 10 straight games and looks to keep that streak going against an increasingly desperate Xavier team in New Jersey this Saturday. The Pirates already defeated the Musketeers on the road in Cincinnati 83-71 earlier this year, with Myles Powell dropping what feels like an almost pedestrian 24 points by his standards in that game. However, Xavier is getting desperate to climb back on the bubble for the tournament and was ranked to start the season for a reason. Anything could happen in this Big East matchup, with the Musketeers needing a win, and the Pirates currently playing their best basketball of the season.

Seton Hall started this 10 game win streak with a home win against the then 7-ranked Maryland Terrapins while missing the Pirates’ top two scorers. Since then, Myles Powell has returned and been on a tear as of late. The Trenton, NJ native has scored at least 23 points in 6/8 games since returning from injury and has Seton Hall atop the Big East standings. Powell and the Pirates (sounds like a great band name) have gotten it done both at home and on the road, including a very impressive win at then 5-ranked Butler.

Xavier started the non-conference season looking respectable and like a probable tournament team, even if they sometimes struggled to score. However, the Musketeers have greatly struggled against a very tough conference slate in the Big East. This includes already having been swept in the season series against both Creighton and Marquette. The second loss to Marquette was a very recent heart-breaker at home for the Musketeers, as the Golden Eagles won in double-OT with star Markus Howard leaving mid-game with an injury. The Musketeers need to get back on track for coach Travis Steele to reach his first NCAA tournament as the leader of the team.

In order for Xavier to pull off the big road upset, they will need to do it against a formidable Seton Hall defense. The Pirates lead the Big East in opponent’s field goal percentage, and second in opponent’s points-per-game, assists, and 3-point field goal percentage, just to name a few categories. The Pirates are anchored on defense by the 7-foot duo of big men, Romaro Gill and Ike Obiagu. The duo combines for five blocks per game and had a total of 8 between them in the earlier season matchup against the Musketeers.

If the Musketeers are going to put up points when facing the tough Seton Hall frontcourt, they will need better production out of leading scorer Naji Marshall. Marshall put up a very inefficient 15 points on 3/10 shooting in the first meeting this season. Most of those came from the charity stripe where he was a perfect 7/7. Drawing fouls and capitalizing at the line will be key for the Musketeers to win in hostile territory. If Xavier is able to get Gill and Obiagu in foul trouble and make their open shots, they will have a much better shot at winning.

Trying to score against Seton Hall’s defense, while also attempting to slow Myles Powell and the rest of the Pirates’ backcourt is a very tall task. It’s one of the main reasons that Seton Hall is currently in the top 10 in the nation and poised to continue to move upwards. Xavier certainly has the talent to pull off the upset on the road, but they will need to make all of their open looks, a few contested ones, and play impeccable defense to do it. Anything can happen in a Big East showdown, but the Musketeers will need to dig deep to take down the Pirates.

Final Prediction: Seton Hall – 81, Xavier – 69