Two of the worst teams in the Big East conference get ready to do battle later today in New Jersey. DePaul and Seton Hall last met in early January of 2013. That game went down to the wire, and there is little reason to think there is much variation between these squads heading into today.
The Pirates’ offense has enhanced itself this season thanks to the addition of Texas transfer Sterling Gibbs. Gibbs is a talented shooter who can score in the mid range and from the perimeter with consistency.
Seton Hall ranks 103 in adjusted offensive efficiency and 57 in effective FG%. They also get to the free throw line quite often, and that helps them here as the Blue Demons do not duplicate quite the same production in regard to those numbers.
DePaul’s offense has struggled compared to a season ago when they could score with virtually anyone. They are set to get guard Jamee Crockett back from suspension today and that could be a huge help given the skill set he brings to the table and some of the historical performances he has put together against the Pirates.
More importantly, Seton Hall is coming off a tough loss to rival St. Johns in a game that went down to the wire Thursday night. They put together a furious comeback late in the game by scoring 29 points in the final ten minutes only to come up short.
Seton Hall does not have a deep rotation and only gets bench production from two players. Jared Sina is a 6’2 freshman guard who has logged decent minutes this season, but he and Gibbs are the only real ball handlers on this team.
DePaul is by no means a great defensive club. But they do play a frenetic style that features a diamond press at times and that could be difficult for some guards to deal with the first time around.
Seton Hall had some hope coming into this season given the improved health they saw amongst several key players compared to last year. They have a quality starting rotation, but they lack depth and do not have a pure point guard right now as they enter this game.
The Pirates are probably the better team, but they don’t have a great home court advantage and the fact that they are laying eight here is almost comical. DePaul is not a team I would trust for any sort of heavy investment, but this game situationally favors them and they have the tools to win this one straight up.
DePaul +8
