Villanova Wildcats (9-2) at Seton Hall Pirates (11-1)
Where: Prudential Center (Newark, NJ)
When: Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 7:00 PM
Betting Line: TBD
How to Watch: Peacock
How to Listen: Villanova Sports Radio Network
Net Rankings: Villanova 29, Seton Hall 36
KenPom: Villanova 28, Seton Hall 43
Torvik: Villanova 37, Seton Hall 43
About Seton Hall: The Pirates have been a surprise thus far, having gotten off to an impressive 11-1 start. Seton Hall was picked to finish last in the Big East Preseason Poll. The lone
loss on the schedule was by two against USC in Maui, with key wins against NC State, at Kansas State and at Providence.
Seton Hall is led by a number of transfers. The team’s leading scorer is 6’4” guard AJ Staton-McCray. The graduate transfer from Miami averages 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 44% shooting and 36.7% from three-point range. Just behind Staton-McCray is sixth-man guard Tajaun Simpkins, who averages 11.8 points and 3.3 rebounds on 55% and 50% respectively. The 6’4” junior transfer from Elon is coming off of a 22-point performance at Providence.
5’10” guard Adam Clark sets the table for the Pirates, averaging 10.1 points and a team-leading 5.7 assists. He is not a three-point shooter, only attempting 1.5 per game and connecting at a 22% clip.
Rounding out the leading scorers are Mike Williams and Elijah Fisher. Williams, a 6’3” junior transfer from LSU, averages 9.4 points on 41.9% shooting and 37.2% from deep. Fisher, a reported transfer target of Villanova, averages 9.3 points. The 6’6” transfer from Pacific is not typically a threat from range (27.3%), but he is coming off of a 2/3 game at the Friars.
The final starter is 6’9” senior Stephon Payne. The transfer from Jacksonville averages 7.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, providing a solid interior presence for Seton Hall. Payne combines with true freshman Najai Hines to help lead the Pirates to 9th in the country in blocks per game (6.2 as a team). Hines, who missed last game against Providence with an illness, averages 7.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and a team-leading 2.5 blocks per game. The 6’10” big man’s availability will be a huge factor in the game.
Notes on Nova: The ‘Cats look to continue the momentum that’s been building of late, coming off of a big win in Milwaukee against the Badgers. There’s sure to be some emotions, as Kevin Willard returns for the first time to the school that he’s largely to thank for being the current Villanova coach. Both teams typically play nine players. Both teams take care of the ball, as each team is top 60 in the country in turnovers and averaging under 10 per game. This will be a test for Villanova’s three-point defense, as Seton Hall is currently 187th in the country at 33.8%. If the perimeter coverage is truly as bad as we fear, the Pirates will be well above that in this one.
In the first game without Chris Jeffrey, the Wildcats used mainly 8 players while mixing in a little Braden Pierce. Pierce will likely be needed again here, especially if Hines is back from his one-game absence.
