Providence Fiar vs Seton Hall Pirates Picks and Predictions January 11th 2025

Seton Hall, Providence believe they can build on recent wins

Seton Hall and Providence enter their Saturday matchup with renewed hope after snapping losing streaks, and both teams are eager to sustain their positive momentum in Big East play.

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Seton Hall: Turning the Corner

After enduring five straight losses, Seton Hall (6-9, 1-3 Big East) found relief with a thrilling 85-80 overtime victory against DePaul on Wednesday. Head coach Shaheen Holloway expressed optimism about the impact of the win on his team’s confidence.

“We needed this game for a lot of different reasons,” Holloway said. “Winning is contagious like losing is contagious. Now that we’ve got this one, I think it gives us confidence to move forward.”

The Pirates’ offense was spearheaded by standout performances from Dylan Addae-Wusu and Isaiah Coleman, who each contributed 24 points. Addae-Wusu added seven assists and three steals, while Coleman, the team’s season leader with averages of 15.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, continued his strong play.

The victory showcased Seton Hall’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure, giving the team a solid foundation to build on as they prepare for tougher conference battles.

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Providence: Adapting Without Their Star

Providence (8-8, 2-3 Big East) ended a four-game losing streak in convincing fashion with an 84-65 win over Butler on Wednesday. The Friars demonstrated a balanced attack, with Jayden Pierre and reserve Bensley Joseph leading the charge with 18 points each. Freshman forward Ryan Mela dominated the boards, securing a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds.

Providence has had to adjust its approach following the loss of Bryce Hopkins, their leading scorer (17.0 points per game), who has been sidelined with a knee injury. Hopkins has appeared in only three games this season, and his extended absence could force him to redshirt.

Despite this challenge, Pierre is confident in the team’s growth. “I feel like our team is just coming together,” Pierre said. “We’ve been in a few close games, and now we know what it looks like to put together a good 40-minute game and take that next step.”

Mela’s emergence as a reliable presence in the paint has been crucial for the Friars. His ability to anchor the defense and contribute offensively has helped fill the void left by Hopkins.

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Key Factors Heading Into Saturday’s Game

As Seton Hall visits Providence, several intriguing storylines will shape the matchup:

• Confidence Boosts: Both teams snapped losing streaks and are eager to sustain their winning ways. Seton Hall’s close victory and Providence’s dominant performance provide contrasting but equally effective momentum.
• Emerging Leaders: Seton Hall relies on Addae-Wusu and Coleman, while Providence looks to Pierre, Joseph, and Mela to carry the load in Hopkins’ absence.
• Resilience Under Pressure: Both teams have battled adversity this season, whether through tough losses or injuries, and Saturday’s game will test their ability to overcome challenges.

A Game to Watch

Seton Hall and Providence each have a chance to redefine their seasons with a win on Saturday. For Seton Hall, maintaining confidence and composure will be key to stringing together consecutive victories. Providence, meanwhile, will aim to build on its newfound cohesion and keep progressing as a team despite missing its star player.

With both teams displaying grit and determination, this Big East showdown promises to be a hard-fought battle that could set the tone for their respective seasons.