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Indianapolis, IN – The Seton Hall Pirates travel to Hinkle Fieldhouse tonight to face the Butler Bulldogs in a Big East matchup. While both teams are navigating challenges, tonight’s game presents a key opportunity for Seton Hall to leverage a strong defensive showing against a Butler squad hampered by injuries. Experts are leaning towards a lower-scoring affair, with the under currently favored in Seton Hall vs Butler predictions.
Butler has struggled recently, currently on a five-game losing streak. The Bulldogs face an uphill battle as they contend with multiple key injuries, impacting their offensive capabilities. Seton Hall, while not boasting a high-powered offense themselves, is known for its defensive prowess, currently ranked within the Top 15 in adjusted efficiency. This contest is expected to be a grind, with points potentially at a premium.
The game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET and will be televised on FS1. Fans can also follow the action online through various sports streaming services. The current spread has Seton Hall as a 2.5-point favorite, with moneyline odds of -161, while Butler is at +120, according to current betting lines. The over/under is set at 141.5 points.
Seton Hall vs. Butler: Key Factors & Injuries
A significant concern for Butler is the status of leading scorer Finley Bizjack, who averages 17.4 points per game and a +3.92 OBPY. He is listed as questionable for tonight’s game due to a wrist injury. Bizjack’s absence, or even diminished performance, would be a substantial blow to the Bulldogs, especially considering he scored 25 points in the first matchup between these teams – a Butler victory on the road. Adding to Butler’s woes, guards Azavier Robinson and Jalen Jackson are also sidelined with injuries, contributing to a slower offensive pace for the team (ranked 259th in adjusted tempo in the last month, per BartTorvik).
Seton Hall, meanwhile, can capitalize on Butler’s vulnerabilities. Star guard Adam Clark has been in excellent form, averaging 22.4 points and 5.0 rebounds over his last five games. He’s expected to find opportunities against a Butler defense that ranks 301st in assists allowed per game and 203rd in near-proximity field goal defense, per Haslametrics, potentially opening up looks for big man Stephon Payne III.
Expert Picks & Betting Trends
Analysts are particularly focused on the under in this matchup. Seton Hall has cashed the under in six of its last eight road games, suggesting a tendency towards lower-scoring contests when playing away from home. A popular same-game parlay suggestion involves backing Seton Hall to cover the -2.5 spread, along with over 4.5 assists from Adam Clark and over 6.5 points from Stephon Payne III. Another parlay option suggests a bet on Seton Hall -2.5, Clark over 4.5 assists and Payne III over 7.5 rebounds and 6.5 points.
Here’s a seem at the current odds:
- Spread: Seton Hall -2.5 | Butler +2.5
- Moneyline: Seton Hall -161 | Butler +120
- Over/Under: Over 141.5 | Under 141.5
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Photo By – Reuters Connect. Stephon Payne III guards Finley Bizjack in a recent game between Seton Hall and Butler.
What to Watch For
Tonight’s game hinges on Butler’s ability to overcome its injury woes and generate consistent offense. If Finley Bizjack is limited or unable to play, the Bulldogs will need contributions from other players to compete with Seton Hall’s strong defense. For Seton Hall, maintaining their defensive intensity and capitalizing on Butler’s vulnerabilities will be crucial. The outcome of this Big East contest will likely be determined by which team can control the pace and limit turnovers.
The result of this game could have implications for both teams’ positioning in the Big East standings as the regular season progresses. Fans and analysts will be closely watching to see how Butler responds to its recent struggles and whether Seton Hall can continue its defensive success.
Share your thoughts on the game in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow college basketball fans!