Seton Hall Pirates vs. Xavier Musketeers December 20 Betting Preview

The Xavier Musketeers will look to make it six consecutive victories on Tuesday when they host the Pirates of Seton Hall. Sean Miller’s team has yet to lose a game in the month of December and currently boast a record of 9-3 on the season. The game is scheduled for an 8:30 p.m tip-off from the Cintas Center.

The Musketeers are led by dynamic guard Souley Boum. The 6 '3 senior is the only player in the entire nation averaging 17 points, four assists, and four rebounds per game while shooting better than 50 percent from behind the arc.

Miller also boasts a nice duo in the frontcourt as Jack Nunge and Zach Freemantle are combining to score nearly 30 points per game and grabbing nearly 15 rebounds per contest. 

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Freemantle, a senior, has recovered nicely after struggling through injury last season. He is back to his old, efficient ways averaging 13.6 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting over 60 percent from the field and 68 percent from the stripe. 

While Boum, Nunge, and Freemantle receive most of the publicity, it’s Colby Jones that should be getting recognition. The 6’6 junior has been the most consistent player in the Big East this season, scoring in double figures in all 12 games for the Musketeers. He is currently shooting over 46 percent from deep and boasts a near 3-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Seton Hall is now led by one of the best players to ever put on the uniform in Shaheen Holloway. The architect of one of the most surprising NCAA Tournament runs in the history of college basketball has replaced Kevin Willard and has the Pirates are off to a 7-5 record to start the season. 

Holloway is depending on a roster full of transfers this season, as former Clemson point guard Al Amir Dawes is running the point and leading the team with 11 points per game. KC Ndefo, a forward that followed Holloway from St. Peters, is also having a nice season after transferring up, averaging eight points and five rebounds. 

Former Louisville wing Dre Davis is back with the team after missing three consecutive games earlier this season. In the three games since his return he has logged two double-digit scoring efforts, though he struggled in the Pirates most recent outing against Providence going just 2-7 in 28 minutes with three turnovers. 

Kadary Richmond is perhaps the most talented player on the Seton Hall roster though he has been inconsistent so far. 

The 6’6 junior is averaging just nine points, five rebounds and three assists per game but scored 28 points against Providence. The former Syracuse recruit also put 17 points on the board against a top-five Kansas team earlier in the month. 

Tuesday’s matchup marks the 24th meeting between the two storied programs, with Seton Hall leading the all-time series 14-9. The Pirates have also won four consecutive games on Xavier’s home floor and five of the last seven overall. Six of the last eight meetings have been decided by double digits. Can Xavier take care of business as -8.5 point favorites?