Rutgers vs. Seton Hall: 2022-23 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
After a controversial loss to Ohio State, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights return to New Jersey to face an in-state rival, the Seton Hall Pirates.
TV Schedule: Sunday, December 11, 6:30 PM ET, FS1
Location: Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, NJ
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights only have a few days to wipe away the disappointment of their trip to Ohio State, where the program seemed poise to get their first road win over the Buckeyes since joining the Big Ten. That game ended with a controversial (to say the least) buzzer-beater loss to Ohio State, courtesy of Tanner Holden.
The team gets to go back to the comfortable confines of its home arena for an in-state challenge against the Seton Hall Pirates, rebuilding following the departure of Kevin Willard to Maryland in the offseason.
Seton Hall is the team coming off a victory, albeit against non-D1 squad Lincoln (PA). Prior to that, the Pirates had a three-game losing streak, including a loss to Siena. Seton Hall didn’t score more than 65 points in any of those three defeats.
Rutgers has been playing well as of late, though, even when considering the Ohio State loss. Prior to that, they upset No. 10 Indiana by 15 points and played a good Miami squad close while taking their show down south.
The Rutgers defense has continued to hold up well against elite offenses. The team has one of the five best-adjusted defensive efficiencies in the nation, according to Bart Torvik. It’s also one of the best defenses at defending the perimeter, restricting opponents to a 22.6 percent shooting distance from three.
While Seton Hall’s defense isn’t at the same level as Rutgers’, it still ranks well in the nation. This sets up for a rock fight at Jersey Mike’s Arena, one of the most raucous home environments in the country – big advantage for Rutgers.
The big question is whether or not the Pirates are going to be able to break through Rutgers’ defense. The answer? Probably not. Seton Hall has a mediocre offense on its best days, one that struggles greatly to avoid coughing up the ball to the other team. The one category Seton Hall excels at is getting to the line, but that doesn’t feel like enough to push the Scarlet Knights.
There are some interesting individual pieces on the Seton Hall roster, but no real weapons that are going to strike fear in Steve Pikiell or Caleb McConnell’s heart. Tyrese Samuel is probably Seton Hall’s best offensive player, but Al-Amir Dawes is the only real three-point threat on the Pirates.
Shaheen Holloway showed during the NCAA Tournament last year that he’s a good coach, but building Saint Peter’s into an overnight sensation took years. It’s the same process Pikiell has been engaged in for half a decade in Piscataway and Rutgers is reaping the fruit of the coach’s labor. Seton Hall is more of a traditional basketball power than Rutgers and will eventually make these games more evenly matched.
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This year, however, Seton Hall doesn’t have the firepower to stack up with a strong Rutgers defense.
Prediction: Rutgers 69, Seton Hall 60