Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Seton Hall Pirates Pick & Prediction JANUARY 21st 2025

Preview and Prediction

Marquette's position at the top of the Big East standings was disrupted when Xavier put an end to their six-game winning streak on Saturday.

The Golden Eagles will attempt to apply the lessons learned from their defeat as they head to Newark, New Jersey to face struggling Seton Hall on Tuesday.

Marquette, with a record of 15-3 and 6-1 in the Big East, suffered their lowest offensive performance of the season in a 59-57 loss to Xavier. Later that day, St. John's surpassed Marquette by half a game for the conference lead with a dominant 79-51 victory over Seton Hall (6-12, 1-6).

Coach Shaka Smart's team trailed 35-24 at halftime and faced a 19-point deficit early in the second half before rallying back. David Joplin led the comeback effort with 12 of his 18 points in the second half.

"I don't believe anyone on our team played their best game," Smart stated. "That's what happens when you only score 57 points, or maybe it's the other way around. But I thought our starting five, and even the players coming off the bench, showed who we are and what we stand for."

Marquette's 27.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc was their second-worst performance of the season. In their previous four games, they had made 11, 11, nine, and 13 3-pointers before settling for just eight makes on 29 attempts against Xavier.

The Golden Eagles' defense relies heavily on forcing turnovers, as they are tied for fifth in Division I with an average of 10.2 steals per game. However, Xavier made sure to protect the ball, allowing just six steals. In Marquette's three losses this season (to Iowa State, Dayton, and Xavier), they have recorded their lowest steal totals (four, two, and six).

Despite their struggles, Marquette managed to cut the deficit to four points with 4:06 remaining and to two points with 12 seconds left on the clock. Their leading scorer, Kam Jones (19.1 points per game), finished with just 11 points.

"We need to understand that at the start of the game, whether it's because we're wearing Marquette on our jerseys or because of our previous accomplishments this season, teams are going to come at us with a burning desire," Smart emphasized. "They're going to come in with a lot of energy, and the same goes for when we go to their home court."

Their next opponent, Seton Hall, is currently struggling through their toughest season in recent memory.

The Pirates suffered their eighth loss in nine games with a home defeat to St. John's. The game was particularly painful as former Seton Hall guard Kadary Richmond faced his old team in a St. John's uniform for the first time and contributed 12 points, five rebounds, and six assists in the Red Storm's comfortable victory.

Seton Hall's shooting woes were evident as they missed 20 of their first 21 shots and shot a dismal 4-for-30 in the first half, trailing 39-16 at halftime.

After the game, Coach Shaheen Holloway stressed the importance of his team learning from this experience in order to prepare for their upcoming games.

"I don't want them to feel like this again," Holloway stated. "We were embarrassed at home, outplayed in every aspect, and it's a terrible feeling. But we need to bounce back. We have the No. 10 team in the country coming in on Tuesday, and we can't afford to have a repeat performance like this."

Isaiah Coleman (15.2 points per game) was the only Seton Hall player to score in double digits, finishing with 11 points on 1-for-13 shooting. The team's second-leading scorer, Chaunce Jenkins (11.4 points per game), left the game with a lower-body injury in the first half, and their third-leading scorer, Dylan Addae-Wusu (9.9 points per game), missed his second consecutive game with a foot sprain. Holloway did not provide a timeline for his return.

PREDICTION

Marquette Golden Eagles

75

62

Seton Hall Pirates

Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Seton Hall Pirates Recap JAN 21TH 2023