The Seton Hall Pirates (21-10, 10-8 Big East) take on the Butler Bulldogs (19-12, 9-9 Big East) in the Big East Conference Tourney at Madison Square Garden. The game gets underway at 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, 2018.
Butler opened as a 1-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 148.5 points.
Butler Bulldogs vs. Seton Hall Pirates Free Prediction
The Pirates have won both games against the Bulldogs this season, including a 77-70 victory the last time these teams met. Seton Hall covered as a 3-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 147 points, which was just 4.5 points below the projected point total of 151.5 points. The Pirates knocked down 20 of their 23 free throws (87.0 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (11.4 vs. 13.3). In the loss, Martin led all scorers on the team with 35 points.
The battle on the backboards could prove decisive, pitting strength against strength. The Pirates rank 37th in offensive rebounding percentage (34.0 percent), while Butler ranks 24th in defensive rebounding percentage (76.1 percent).
Butler comes into the contest with records of 19-12 straight up (SU) and 15-15 against the spread (ATS). Of the Bulldogs’ 30 games with betting action, 17 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Seton Hall owns records of 21-10 SU and 15-16 ATS. Coinciding with Butler, games including the Pirates also have a tendency to finish over the O/U total (58.6 percent).
Khadeen Carrington has averaged 18.4 points and 4.2 assists over the last five games for Seton Hall.
Butler Bulldogs vs. Seton Hall Pirates Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Seton Hall, ATS Winner – Seton Hall, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Seton Hall ranks 48th in rebounds per game (38.2) while Butler ranks 188th (34.5).
The Pirates rank 39th in assists per game (15.9) while the Bulldogs rank 116th (14.1).
Butler averages 23.0 three pointers per game, which ranks 117th in the NCAA. Seton Hall ranks 192nd in three pointers allowed per game (22.5).
The Bulldogs rank 33rd in steals allowed per game (5.2) while the Pirates rank 107th (6.0).
Seton Hall ranks 102nd in blocks per game (3.6) while Butler ranks 134th in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Butler is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Seton Hall is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.0, down from 7.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pirates have scored an average of 79.4 points per game (0.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 73.4 points per game (0.1 above their season average).
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