I've been impressed by not only the talent level but the heart and determination that Seton Hall has shown this past week.  They rallied from a 20 point second half deficit to force OT and defeat St. John's two games back.  In last game they battled hard for 40 minutes in 4 point loss at Rutgers.  The "RAC" is one of the more difficult venues in the country to play at and Seton Hall had scores of unfavorable calls go against them.  The play of senior point guard Donald Copeland has been a huge surprise for the Pirates this year.  The position was somewhat of a concern before the season, but Copeland has stepped up and is playing superbly.  He has averaged 17.5ppg and 4.1apg in his last 11 games and had already surpassed his steal total from all of last year.  Senior forward Kelly Whitney is on a career best three game tear that has seen him average 24.6ppg.  He can be a force inside when his mind is on basketball and that appears to very much be the case right now.  Athletic guards junior Jamar Nutter and sophomore Brian Laing give SHU plenty of perimeter firepower.  Junior forward Stan Gaines (Minnesota transfer) and much improved sophomore center Marcus Cousin support Whitney in the frountcourt.  Junior center Grant Billmeier is another usable big body off the bench.  Sparkplug freshman guard Paul Gause left last game with a sprained ankle but is expected to be fine tonight.

 

Marquette has only played two true road games this year and lost them both by double digits.  This is a very young team with only three returning regulars playing significant roles.  Two freshman start in the backcourt and currently rank second and third on the team in scoring.  A third freshman, wing Wesley Matthews, has missed the last two games and is out indefinitely with a stress fracture in his foot.  Matthews is 4th on the team in scoring, 3rd in rebounding, 2nd in assists, and 2nd in steals.  He will be missed.  Marquette leading scorer Steve Novak is shooting 52.1% at home but just 10-27 (37%) in the two road losses.   Marquette's big upset of #2 UConn two games back is why this line is so low.  UConn played that night for the first time with point guard Marcus Williams (previously suspended) and may have been out of sync.  The Huskies repeatedly made mental mistakes and Marquette's home crowd was a huge factor in the outcome.  Marquette was unable to solidify the performance, losing their next game vs Cincinnati.

 

Seton Hall is 9-1 at home, while Marquette is 0-2 on the road.  The Golden Eagles have historically had trouble winning on the road.  Even with standout point guard Travis Diener running the show they still managed just a 7-13 road record over the past two seasons.  With their youth the road woes figure to continue if not worsen this year.  This is a key game on Seton Hall's schedule and I expect them to come away with a win tonight.  Take the home team. 

 

RAS Official Play:  Seton Hall -1.5  1 UNIT