TV Schedule: Wednesday, January 27th, 7:00 PM ET. FS1
Arena: Prudential Center Newark, New Jersey
As we begin to turn the corner into March, every team in the nation is looking to bolster their resume and pick up signature wins while they can. Luckily, playing in the Big East affords you the opportunity to pick up a resume-building win almost every time you play a game and tomorrow will be no exception. The #17 Creighton Blue Jays travel to New Jersey to face the Seton Hall Pirates in what could be a make or break game for both teams. In two different positions, the game will have major implications as both programs inch closer to March.
For Creighton, the polls have seemed to fluctuate every week and after dropping a game ten days ago to middling Butler, the Blue Jays look to rise back up in the poll and secure a top-four seed come tournament time. They will only be able to achieve their goals if they can edge out a Seton Hall team who is currently 5-1 at home.
In the case of the Pirates, this game feels like “do or die”. If Seton Hall loses to Creighton they will fall to 9-7 overall and make it even harder on themselves to get into the tournament. Currently sitting firmly on Joe Lunardi’s bubble as one of the last four in, if the Pirates are able to pick up a win against ranked Creighton their hope of a March return increases immensely.
Even with March on the mind, both teams shouldn’t forget how their first meeting ended in January. Creighton blew the doors off the Pirates 89-53. When the ball tipped it felt like Seton Hall was already out of the game. Creighton opened up a lead that never ceased and continued to pile on by way of 54.2% from deep on 13/24 shooting as a team. In a perfect world, the Blue Jays would recreate the result and walk through the game for an easy win. However, as Big East play has shown us this is rarely the case.
In their first matchup, Creighton was the better team, shot better from the floor, and exposed the weaknesses of a Pirates team that struggled to find their footing in the earlier going. In the rematch tonight, I expect both teams to be far more prepared which favors Seton Hall. After the loss, the Pirates played like a team that got embarrassed and bounce back by defeating Depaul only to lose their last game to Villanova on the Main Line. Due to COVID cancellations, the Pirates have played a bit of a disjointed schedule and have had extra time to prepare for tonight’s matchup after a weekend cancellation.
The swing factor for this game will be three-point shooting. Creighton has been a historically good three-point shooting team and dominated the Pirates from behind the arc in their first matchup. If Seton Hall wants any chance to win this game they have to shoot better than 16.7% from deep and defend the perimeter more effectively. This is easier said than done against a team like the Blue Jays but Seton Hall has the length and toughness to frustrate shooters.
In addition to limiting the performance behind the arc on both ends, this matchup is poised to be decided by role players. Last game, Marcus Zegarowski and Mitch Ballock combined for 14 points and the team still won by 36. If Damien Jefferson and Denzel Mahoney are able to replicate their performances, it will be an uphill climb for Seton Hall. However, if Jared Rhoden and Myles Cale are able to increase their production in comparison to the January contest the Pirates should leave Newark with a win.
The Big East is one of the most unpredictable conferences in the country as any team can win on any night regardless of the matchup on paper. In a matchup that could help determine the fate of both teams, it looks and feels like Seton Hall needs this game more than Creighton. Usually, when you have your back against the wall you are forced to perform and the Pirates should be no exception. Expect them to, just barely, right the ship tonight.
Prediction: Seton Hall 72 – Creighton 71