Seton Hall vs. Villanova: Game Preview and Prediction

By Taylor Sturm
Villanova basketball
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Despite a fantastic start to Big East play, the Seton Hall Pirates have rapidly fallen from a 2015 NCAA Tournament “lock” into a team struggling to remain on the NCAA Tournament bubble. Losing seven of their last nine, the Pirates next travel to the Pavilion to face the No. 6 Villanova Wildcats on Monday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.

Villanova is in national championship form at the moment, stringing together six wins since their upset at the hands of the Georgetown Hoyas that includes wins over three projected NCAA Tournament teams. One of Villanova’s two conference losses came against Seton Hall earlier in the season, so the Wildcats will be focused and ready to show that they can beat this team at home.

That being said, Seton Hall matches up well with Villanova. Last time these two met, the Pirates won by getting nine steals and winning the turnover battle. Seton Hall could potentially make the rest of the season far less stressful with another win over the Wildcats, so expect them to play harder than you have seen them play in several weeks.

However, Villanova is clearly the better all-around team. This team is streaking at the moment, and, looking at the schedule, Nova should win out in regular season play. Don’t expect this team to drop a game to the Pirates, even if it ends up being a lot closer than most anticipate. Villanova should be a No. 1 seed in the 2015 NCAA Tournament, and this last stretch against weaker opposition should show whether they belong or not.

Prediction: Villanova 76, Seton Hall 67

Taylor Sturm is a Featured Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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