The No. 25 Creighton Bluejays (10-2) head to Prudential Center to meet the No. 23 Seton Hall Pirates (11-2). The Bluejays will attempt to continue their five-game winning streak. Seton Hall opened as a 4-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 161.5 points. Action starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 28, 2017.
Creighton Bluejays vs. Seton Hall Pirates Free Preview
In the Bluejays last matchup, they had no trouble getting past the USC Upstate Spartans, 116-62. Marcus Foster was the games leading scorer with 16 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Creighton dominated every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.200 (matching their season average) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.792 (above their season average of 0.591). USC Upstate recorded marks of 0.067 and 0.380, respectively, for those same stats.
The Pirates hope to keep it rolling after beating the Manhattan Jaspers in their last contest, 74-62. Seton Hall was lifted by Angel Delgado, who was the teams leading scorer with 15 points on 5-for-10 shooting. Seton Hall dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.389 (above their season average of 0.219) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 50.0 (above their season average of 36.6). For those same stats, Manhattan recorded marks of 0.130 and 25.8, respectively.
The battle on the backboards could prove decisive, pitting strength against strength. The Pirates rank 15th in offensive rebounding percentage (37.6 percent), while Creighton ranks fourth in defensive rebounding percentage (78.8 percent). Moreover, the Bluejays rank seventh in offensive efficiency (123.3), while the Pirates rank 51st in defensive efficiency (94.3).
Both of these teams have a tendency to go over the O/U total. Creighton games have gone over 72.7 percent of the time, while games including Seton Hall have finished over 63.6 percent of the time. Both teams have superb straight up (SU) records (10-2 for Creighton; 11-2 for Seton Hall), but the Bluejays have the advantage against the spread (ATS). Creighton is 7-4 ATS, while the Pirates are 6-7.
Both teams have had a player trending in the right direction over their last five games. For the Bluejays, it’s been Foster, who has averaged 22.0 points, while the Pirates have gotten solid contributions from Delgado (13.6 rebounds and 12.8 points).
This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. The Pirates won the most recent game 87-81. The Pirates dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.549 and a fantastic offensive rebounding percentage of 40.0. For those same stats, the Bluejays were 0.152 and 18.9, respectively.
Creighton Bluejays at Seton Hall Pirates ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Creighton, ATS Winner – Creighton, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Seton Hall is 3-5 ATS at home, while Creighton is 2-2 ATS on the road.
- Of the Bluejays 4 road games, they have 3 overs and 1 under.
- The Pirates have 4 overs and 2 unders in 8 home games.
- Creighton ranks 18th in three pointers attempted per game (28.2) while Seton Hall ranks 218th (19.0).
- The Pirates rank 23rd in assists allowed per game (10.6) while the Bluejays rank 142nd (13.8).
- Creighton ranks 22nd in rebounds per game (40.7) while Seton Hall ranks 62nd in rebounds allowed per game (32.8).
Bettings Trends:
- Seton Hall is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Creighton is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Pirates’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.6, up from 13.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bluejays have scored an average of 95.8 points per game (3.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 62.4 points per game (9.2 below their season average).
