Seton Hall Pirates vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Prediction, Odds and Tips

Another edition of the Garden State Hardwood Classic takes place Saturday afternoon when the Rutgers Scarlet Knights host the Seton Hall Pirates at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway. While this game does not represent a major boost to tournament success for either side, it is still a fun rivalry game as it is played with extreme physical exertion and the tougher team usually emerges victorious. Rutgers has had an up-and-down start to the year, as they boast a 6-4 record with wins over Notre Dame and Penn State, but also suffered a brutal road loss to Kennesaw State and three other losses to quality teams. As for Seton Hall, you could say the same is true, but there was more downside than upside. The Pirates picked up solid wins against VCU and Florida Atlantic, but suffered some very tough home losses to Fordham and Monmouth as double-digit favorites that essentially killed their chances at an outright contender. However, it’s far more interesting to see Seton Hall win as an underdog than to trust them to win by a margin.

It’s never fun to support a team that ranks 305th in KenPom’s Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Rating, but this is the team we’ll be looking at here for a few reasons. First, the Pirates’ defensive and slow nature should keep them alive almost any time they move up the division. The length and versatility of Shaheen Holloway’s defense will make it difficult for Rutgers stars Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey when it comes to scoring off the bounce and getting to the basket, the two areas they are best at. Seton Hall will force Rutgers’ other pieces to beat them, and they haven’t inspired much confidence in the perimeter scoring department at all. Second, Shaheen Holloway-coached teams are 25-12 ATS (68%) as underdogs by 5.5 points or more (BetLabs), further proof that his teams can always hold their own against higher-tier competition. In a rivalry game, expect the Pirates to give 100% and keep the game close in Piscataway.

Seton Hall vs. Rutgers: Seton Hall +11.5 (-110) at time of publication. Playable under this number.

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