Scouting report: Can No. 16 Xavier get back on track at Seton Hall?
NEWARK, N.J. – It's been two months since Xavier's men's basketball team played Seton Hall at Cintas Center on Dec. 20. A lot has happened since that 73-70 win for the Musketeers and Friday night's rematch at the Prudential Center.
Xavier's coming off its first home loss in conference play on Tuesday against Villanova. The Pirates lost last weekend at UConn and are sitting squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble.
In the first meeting between Xavier and Seton Hall, neither team shot it great and it was a close game throughout. Xavier needed a key defensive stand in the closing seconds to hold on for the win.
One of the biggest factors in the first meeting was Zach Freemantle's 23 points and nine rebounds. Xavier won't have its star forward again on Friday night, which means Jack Nunge and Jerome Hunter really need to bridge that gap around the basket.
Pressure: It always mounts in February. Xavier has to be able to handle it.
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Xavier's defense has been much improved recently with four straight games of holding opponents under 70 points and they're going to get tested against a Seton Hall team that generates a lot of points by driving to the basket and drawing fouls.
Seton Hall's one of the best teams in the country at getting to the foul line. Xavier's defense has to be disciplined to negate that and also to avoid staying out of foul trouble with a short bench that's missing Freemantle, Kam Craft and likely KyKy Tandy, who missed Tuesday's game against Villanova with a foot injury.
Nunge, Adam Kunkel and Souley Boum were all a little bit off against the Pirates the first time around. Those three combined for 22 points against Seton Hall in December and they average 40 between them. Xavier will need that to change on Friday.
Seton Hall's defensive efficiency ranks 13th in the country. That means Xavier can't get sloppy with the ball and the Musketeers have to put together a solid offensive performance to have any chance at converting a Quad 1 road win.
The Game
Tipoff: 7 p.m. on Friday at the Prudential Center
TV/Radio: FS1 with play-by-play from John Fanta and analysis from Donny Marshall. Byron Larkin and Joe Sunderman will have the radio call on WLW-AM (700).
Series info: Seton Hall leads the series 15-11.
Scouting report
Xavier Musketeers (20-8, 12-5 Big East)
Coach: Sean Miller, 18th season (442-164 overall)
Offense: 81.9 ppg
Defense: 74.8 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Adam Kunkel (G, 6'4", 10.2 ppg)
Jerome Hunter (F, 6'8", 7.1 ppg)
Colby Jones (G, 6'6", 14.5 ppg)
Souley Boum (G, 6'3", 16.3 ppg)
Jack Nunge (F, 7'0", 14.6 ppg)
Seton Hall Pirates (16-12, 9-8 Big East)
Coach: Shaheen Holloway, fifth season (80-69 overall)
Offense: 68.3 ppg
Defense: 64.4 ppgProjected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Al-Amir Dawes (G, 6'2", 12.7 ppg)
Tyrese Samuel (F, 6'10", 10.9 ppg)
KC Ndefo (F, 6'7", 7.9 ppg)
Femi Odukale (G, 6'6", 6.5 ppg)
Kadary Richmond (G, 6'6", 10.1 ppg)
Players to watch
Kadary Richmond
Richmond left Saturday's loss at UConn with a back injury and was only able to play seven minutes. If he plays on Friday, he presents Xavier's biggest challenge on the defensive end because of his size, athleticism and driving ability.
Colby Jones
Xavier's going to need Jones to bounce back from a 2-for-10 shooting night with only four points against Villanova. Jones has been consistent all season and there's nothing the Musketeers need more than a quality performance from one of their best players.
Key to the game
Take care of the ball
Seton Hall's good at generating turnovers. Xavier's been sloppy recently. The turnovers in the second half killed the Musketeers against Villanova. If Xavier's careless with the ball and lets Seton Hall create scoring opportunities off live-ball turnovers, the Musketeers will lose on Friday night.
Rankings
KenPom: Xavier (23), Seton Hall (59)
NET: Xavier (35), Seton Hall (71)
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Scouting report: Can No. 16 Xavier get back on track at Seton Hall?
