Xavier Musketeers vs. Seton Hall Pirates Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 23rd 2023

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Seton Hall will attempt to build off one of its most impressive wins in program history when it travels to Cincinnati for a Big East meeting with Xavier on Saturday afternoon.

The Pirates (8-4, 1-0) are coming off Wednesday’s 75-60 victory over No. 5 UConn, their largest win ever over a top-five team in the AP poll.

Kadary Richmond led the way with 23 points, six rebounds and a program-record-tying eight steals for Seton Hall, which also got 17 points from Dre Davis. Fellow starters Al-Amir Dawes (11 points), Jaden Bediako (10) and Dylan Addae-Wusu (nine) also chipped in as the Pirates’ first unit accounted for 70 of the team’s points.

Addae-Wusu has been particularly impressive as of late, averaging 14.5 points, 6.0 boards, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals over Seton Hall’s past two games. He shined in a 93-87 win against Missouri last Sunday, netting 20 points.

“The one thing with Dylan … him scoring 20 points is a bonus,” Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway said after the victory over the Huskies. “Not saying he can’t, but I want his hustle, I want his grit, I want his toughness, I want his energy.

“And the team feeds off that. It’s contagious.”

The Musketeers (6-6, 0-1) will attempt to contain the Pirates after letting St. John’s starters rack up 65 points in an 81-66 loss on Wednesday.

Desmond Claude recorded a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double for Xavier, but the Musketeers shot just 34.9 percent from the field and a season-low 19 percent from beyond the arc.

Xavier coach Sean Miller is hoping his team can take better care of the ball on Saturday, as it committed a season-high-tying 18 turnovers against the Red Storm.

“Clearly, I thought their scheme hurt us and that was part of our 18 turnovers, bad shot selection and rhythm on offense,” Miller said. “Eighteen turnovers, on the road in the Big East. We’re not gonna win with 18 turnovers.”

Saturday marks the 22nd all-time meeting between the teams. It has been a relatively even series, which Seton Hall leads 11-10.

–Field Level Media