Butler Bulldogs vs Seton Hall Pirates Picks and Predictions January 15th 2025

Butler Bulldogs vs Seton Hall Pirates January 15th 2025

The Pirates and Bulldogs are set to face off at 7:00 ET on FS1. The Bulldogs will host the game at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. This Big East conference matchup has an over/under of 138 points, and Butler is favored to win by -8 at home vs. Seton Hall.

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Pirates vs. Bulldogs Key Information

• Sport: CBB
• Teams: Seton Hall Pirates at Butler Bulldogs
• Where: Indianapolis at Hinkle Fieldhouse
• Date: Wednesday, January 15th
• Betting Odds BUTL -8, SETON +262 | BUTL -330 O/U 138

The Pirates Can Win If…

Seton Hall’s season record dropped to 6-10 after a 91-85 loss to Providence on Saturday. The Pirates, who were +8 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread.

After a 41-41 first half, Seton Hall scored 44 points in the 2nd half but allowed 50. The game’s total points of 176 went well over the O/U line of 130.5.

Seton Hall put up 85 points in their last game, shooting 44.9% from the field and 31.8% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 49.3%, and they hit 80% of their free throws, going 16-for-20 from the line.

Bensley Joseph was a standout, hitting 7 of 9 threes and finishing with 28 points and 5 assists. Isaiah Coleman added 26 points, shooting 3 of 5 from deep, while Prince Aligbe contributed 19 points and 7 rebounds.

Seton Hall’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 91 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 53% from the field. They had a tough time defending inside, with the other team hitting 59% of their two-point shots.

From beyond the arc, Seton Hall allowed 12 threes on 25 attempts, a 48% shooting performance. They also sent the other team to the line 33 times, where they converted 23 free throws.

• Through their last five road games, Seton Hall has an ATS record of just 2-3. However, their overall record was 0-5 while averaging 69 points per game.
• In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Pirates have a straight up record of 3-7 and an ATS mark of 6-4.
• Over their last three games, the Pirates have an over/under record of 3-0 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Bulldogs Can Win If…

Butler Bulldogs Recent Game/Games

Butler fell to 7-10 on the season after an 80-76 home loss to Creighton on Saturday. The Bulldogs entered the game as +2.5 point underdogs and did not cover the spread. The game’s total points of 156 went over the pre-game line of 145.5.

After a 43-43 first half, Butler was outscored 37-33 in the second half, leading to the loss.

Butler put up 76 points in their last game, shooting 47.6% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 54%. They connected on 57.9% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 32% of their threes. At the free-throw line, they made 8 of 12 attempts, good for 66.7%.

Ryan Kalkbrenner led the way with 26 points, shooting 64.7% overall and 60% from three. Steven Ashworth contributed 22 points and 12 rebounds, despite going 1 for 8 from deep. Patrick McCaffery added 21 points, hitting 3 of 7 from three-point range.

Butler’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 80 points while allowing the opponent to shoot 47% from the field. They had particular trouble inside, where they gave up 57% shooting on two-point attempts, with the opponent hitting 22 of 38 shots.

From beyond the arc, Butler’s defense allowed 8 threes on 25 attempts, a 32% shooting rate. They also sent the opponent to the free-throw line 12 times, where they converted 8 of those attempts. Butler gave up 6 offensive rebounds in the game.

• Through their last ten home contests, the Bulldogs offense has averaged 70 points per game while allowing an average of 77. Butler posted an overall record of 3-7 while going 6-4 ATS.
• Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Bulldogs have a straight up record of 6-4. But, their mark vs the spread was just 4-6.
• In their last five games, the Bulldogs have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Lean

For a pick on the point-spread in this Bulldogs vs. Pirates matchup, our bet is to grab the Pirates at +8. Even though our projections have the Bulldogs winning 76-70, we see the Pirates as the play on the point-spread.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 138, and our model projects the Pirates and Bulldogs to reach a combined total of 146 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

NCAAB Expert Handicappers

Seton Hall and Butler Seek a Turnaround in Key Big East Matchup

Two Big East teams, each grappling with challenging seasons, are set to clash on Wednesday night in Indianapolis. The Butler Bulldogs (7-10, 0-6 Big East) and Seton Hall Pirates (6-10, 1-4 Big East) aim to reverse their fortunes and ignite a season-changing run. With both teams showing glimpses of improvement despite their struggles, this game promises to be a pivotal moment.

Butler’s Season of Struggles

The Bulldogs are enduring their longest losing streak since the 1989-90 season, having dropped nine consecutive games. Despite the tough stretch, their resilience and teamwork have drawn praise.

“You watch them play, and you wouldn’t be able to tell whether they’re on an eight-game winning streak or an eight-game losing streak,” said Creighton coach Greg McDermott following Butler’s narrow 80-76 loss last Saturday. “They’re playing the right way, sharing the basketball, and competing defensively.”

Key Improvements
One area where Butler has shown progress is turnovers, a major issue earlier in the season. After committing 10 or more turnovers in eight of their first nine games, the Bulldogs have cleaned up their play, recording fewer than 10 giveaways in six of their last eight contests. This newfound discipline could be crucial against Seton Hall.

Players to Watch

• Jahmyl Telfort: Leading Butler with 15.5 points and 3.5 assists per game, Telfort will play a vital role in generating offense.
• Andre Screen: The anchor in the paint, Screen averages 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, making him a key defensive presence.

Seton Hall’s Offensive Reawakening

The Pirates enter this matchup after a high-scoring 91-85 loss to Providence, where they matched their season-high point total. Despite their defeat, Seton Hall showed significant improvement offensively—a weak spot for much of the season.

“We’re doing a better job with ball movement,” coach Shaheen Holloway said after Saturday’s game. “It’s starting to come a little bit. Still not as much as I want, but we’re getting there.”

Isaiah Coleman’s Emergence
Freshman guard Isaiah Coleman has been a bright spot for the Pirates. His career-high 26-point performance against Providence earned him a spot on the Big East Weekly Honor Roll. Coleman is the first Seton Hall player since Myles Powell in 2019-20 to score 15 or more points in five consecutive Big East games.

Coleman leads the team with 15.7 points and 5 rebounds per game, while Dylan Addae-Wusu contributes 3.1 assists and 1.7 steals per contest.

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The Matchup: Recent History and Trends

Seton Hall has had the upper hand in this series, winning nine of the last 10 meetings and leading the overall series 14-10 since Butler joined the Big East in 2013-14. However, past performance doesn’t guarantee future success, especially with both teams hungry for a win.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Butler: Improved ball-handling and consistent defensive effort, but struggles to score in critical moments.
• Seton Hall: A strong defensive identity (66.6 points allowed per game) and emerging offensive potential, but inconsistency remains a concern.

What to Watch For

1. Turnover Battle: Butler’s ability to maintain their improved ball-handling will be key. If they limit giveaways, they can stay competitive against Seton Hall’s defense.
2. Coleman’s Impact: Can Isaiah Coleman continue his scoring streak? His performance will likely set the tone for Seton Hall’s offense.
3. Bench Contributions: Depth will play a critical role as both teams look for supporting players to step up in crunch time.

Conclusion

Both teams enter this matchup seeking a lifeline to salvage their seasons. For Butler, ending a nine-game losing streak at home would provide much-needed momentum. For Seton Hall, continued offensive growth could establish them as a legitimate threat in conference play.

As these two teams face off, expect a hard-fought game filled with defensive grit and standout performances. With their seasons on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Final Note

This game is not just about breaking a rut; it’s an opportunity for either team to redefine their season. Whether Butler’s defensive grit or Seton Hall’s offensive potential prevails, fans are in for a thrilling Big East showdown.