Free Pick | Wednesday | Feb. 11

#694 Seton Hall -4.5 over Providence 6:30 PM CT

Seton Hall is just 2-6 in the past eight Big East games to erase what was once a 4-1 start in conference play and a 14-2 start to the season. Shaheen Holloway’s team now projects to be outside of the NCAA Tournament bubble but the remaining schedule does provide the Pirates with a favorable run to finish with a winning Big East record. Seton Hall won 72-67 at Providence in the Big East opener even without Najai Hines playing. Seton Hall had a big edge in offensive rebounding and won even with Providence being handed 30 free throw attempts. The Pirates are one of the best defensive teams in the Big East and while the offensive numbers are marginal, strong offensive rebounding numbers and a low turnover rate can keep the Pirates in games. Seton Hall has four Big East losses by seven or fewer points this season as the record could easily be stronger. Providence in contrast has a solid offense but is one of the worst defensive teams in the conference. The early January win over St. John’s is all that holds up the resume for the Friars with Providence just 3-7 since and without a win vs. a top 70 team. The upset at St. John’s is the only road win of the season for Providence, now losers of each of the past four road games with at least 87 points allowed in each of those games. That big win featured St. John’s missing 13 free throws and shooting 22 percent from 3-point range as it looks more-and-more like a fluke in retrospect with the Storm giving the game away in the final three minutes. Seton Hall is 5-1 ATS in the past six meeting in this series Seton Hall is 5-1 ATS in the past six meeting in this series and defense should trump offense in this pairing in the middle of the Big East standings.