Seton Hall game thread

[muskieman]

When: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2026 AT 7:30 P.M. ET
Where PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, N.J

TV: Peacock with play-by-play from Ed Cohen and analysis from JordanCornette.
Xavier Radio: 55KRC

Seton Hall enters the Jan. 28, 2026 matchup against Xavier as one of the Big East’s most defensively elite and physically tough teams, built around length, rebounding, and a top‑10 scoring defense. Their identity is clear: grind games down, dominate the glass, and rely on AJ Staton‑McCray and a deep frontcourt to control tempo.

Key Factors in the Game
Tempo Control
Seton Hall wants a slow, physical game.
Xavier prefers more flow and rhythm.
If SHU keeps the game in the 60s, they gain a major advantage

Rebounding Battle
Seton Hall’s frontcourt depth vs Xavier’s smaller lineups.
SHU should dominate the glass — a major swing factor.

Staton‑McCray vs Xavier Wings
Xavier has struggled containing strong, physical wings in Big East play.
Staton‑McCray’s ability to score 15–20 and defend the perimeter is central

Xavier’s Turnover Pressure
Xavier’s best chance is to speed up SHU’s guards and force turnovers.
If Clark handles pressure, Seton Hall stabilizes.

Home‑Court Advantage
Game is at Prudential Center, where Seton Hall historically plays with more defensive intensity and energy.
This favors SHU in a tight matchup.

The matchup favors Seton Hall if they control tempo and win the glass

🧩 Summary: The Formula for Xavier
To beat Seton Hall’s defense, Xavier must:

Speed the game up
Spread the floor
Use ball screens to hunt matchups
Force SHU into rotations
Win or survive the rebounding battle
Shoot confidently from deep
Apply pressure to disrupt SHU’s rhythm

If Xavier tries to play a slow, physical, half-court game, Seton Hall wins.
If Xavier turns it into a pace-and-space game, the matchup becomes far more favorable

[Kevin Reilly]

Carroll is on fire. He looks like the best player in the Big East the last four games. Moore was awful in the first half. He played 18 minutes and had o points 1 rebound.. Seton Hall is starting to out muscle us. Filip had 7 rebounds but should have had at least 3 or 4 more. They knocked the ball out of his hands. Ten turnovers is a way to get a loss on the road. We need to toughen up and hold on to the ball. Hope Carroll can keep it up.

[Kevin Reilly]

Rough way to start the second half. We are playing like a timid team. Getting outhustled and pushed around. Not a physical team at all.

[muskieman]

Without Carrol X loses the lead. I hate to say it, but the guys are frazzled or just dumb tonight. Filip has become a turnover machine. Moore and Jovan have helped make dumb passes or fouls. Unless Richard shakes them up and keeps the point on turnover more even because they have doubled up X.

[Kevin Reilly]

We were outscored 25 -6 to start the second half.

[muskieman]

Richard short bench is coming back to haunt X. Get in foul trouble, and no one steps up. Too many time X players are on the floor

[muskieman]

Guys heard of a pass fake from out of bounds Carrol with four fouls X down 7, which looks larger than X was up 13

[Kevin Reilly]

Soft soft team . We didn't respond to their physical play. We need a lot of new guys next season

[muskieman]

Poor, no horrendous second half. They came out of the locker room and said, "Rebound? We don't need to rebound." All they needed to do was hold service, but Seton Hall is 55 points and counting.

[muskieman]

Embarassing again. Both men and women are embarrassing tonight, but the women have an excuse, playing UConn