Providence Friars (21-9) vs Seton Hall Pirates (16-14)
Game Info: Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 12:00 pm (Amica Mutual Pavilion)
Betting Odds: Providence Friars -8.5 - Over/Under: 140.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Providence Friars will host the Seton Hall Pirates in Big East play from the Amica Pavilion on FOX. Providence leads the all-time series, 52-45, after winning four of the last five meetings.
Seton Hall dropped to 16-14 after losing to Villanova in Newark. The Pirates led at halftime, but the Wildcats would outplay them after the break and hand them a four-point loss, 76-72. Seton Hall is scoring 68.2 points per game, while allowing 65.3 ppg, and shooting 43.5% from the field.
Seton Hall has fell apart late and fallen victim to the vaunted depth of the Big East Conference, and they face an uphill battle in their season finale. The Pirates are 9-10 in Big East play, with a 5-6 road record. Former Clemson guard Al-Amir Dawes scored a team-high 21 points against Nova, he leads SHU with 12.7 ppg. Junior guard Kadary Richmond’s absence over the past three games has led to a late season spiral for the Pirates, and if the 6’6 guard misses this contest, another loss could follow. Senior forwards Tyrese Samuel (10.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and KC Ndefo (7.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg) start up front for the Pirates.
Providence fell to 21-9 after losing to Xavier at home. The Friars nearly rallied back in the second half, but they’d suffer their first home loss of the season to the Musketeers, 94-89. Providence scores 79.2 points per game, while allowing 70.9 ppg, and shooting 46.2% from the field.
Providence comes into an ideal spot to bounce back and bolster their resume, and they’ll look to bring the brooms out on Seton Hall here. The Friars are 13-6 in Big East play, with a 15-1 home record. Sophomore forward Bryce Hopkins scored 24 points in their conference opener with the Pirates, and he’s gone on to lead the Friars in scoring (16.5) and rebounding (8.7). Fifth-year forward Ed Croswell went off for 25 points and 13 boards in DC against Georgetown, and he’s second on the team at 13.4 ppg and 7.6 rpg. Former SC guard Devin Carter scored a season-high 25 points versus Creighton, and he’s scoring an identical 13.2 ppg.
Seton Hall is 15-13-1 against the spread this season, with a 13-15-1 over/under record. Providence is 18-12 ATS this year, with a 16-14 o/u record.
Providence will look to avenge their first home loss of the season here on senior night, and I like their chances. The Friars have been sharp in the former Dunkin’ Donuts Center this season, and five of their last seven home wins have been by double figures. Seton Hall will have little to play for here, and after dropping four straight games, they can be targeted for a fifth straight defeat. Take Providence’s spread to open the Saturday slate.