Xavier Musketeers vs. Seton Hall Pirates odds and best bet

This is not quite classic Big East basketball. Sorry, Xavier fans. You will get there one day. 

Nevertheless, I like this game a lot between two teams with similar profiles in one of the best leagues in the country. At times, both have looked like surefire NCAA Tournament teams, and both teams have also lost to DePaul, dashing fan hopes in the process. 

Seton Hall comes into this game still one game under .500 in the conference but I think they might be finally peaking. They dominated in their last game against Creighton, even though they are still waiting on guard Bryce Aiken to recover from his concussion. The Pirates do everything well except shoot the ball, and with Aiken out, their defense is even better. They often have lineups out there where everyone is 6-foot-6 or taller.

For Xavier, they have struggled since starting 11-1. They had no bad losses until they lost to the Blue Demons at home in their last game (Seton Hall lost to DePaul on the road). Even when they were winning games early in the season not much stood out about this Xavier team. They are good, but there is just no pop to them. 

Game Info

Xavier Musketeers (16-6) vs. Seton Hall Pirates (14-7)
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022
7:00 PM
Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.
FS1

Betting Odds

Spread: Musketeers +3.5 (-110), Pirates -3.5 (-110)
Total: 142.5
Moneyline: Musketeers +145, Pirates -175

Seton Hall -3.5

For starters, nailed Purdue Tuesday night hosting Illinois at -6. The Illini were in it for the first half but the Boilermakers pulled away and won by double-digits. 

I am leaning to another home team Wednesday. Xavier is 27th at KenPom, but they do not rank in the top 40 in either offensive or defensive efficiency. They just don't have a particular strength, or a player, to rely on in what is going to be a hard-fought game on the road. That is worrisome.

Seton Hall is 27th nationally in defensive efficiency, and I truly believe their offense might be rounding into form, finally. Creighton has had the best defense in Big East games this season and the Pirates just had one of their best offensive games against the Bluejays. Outside shooting has been a problem all season but they were 10-of-21 in the win. Five players scored at least 11 points for the Pirates too.

Seton Hall has burned backers a bunch of times this season, but they seem to be ready to make a surge. This is a buy-low opportunity, backing the team I think is much more talented, and at home. I would have made this game a -6 so -3.5 is a great value.