Game preview: Seton Hall travels to DePaul for the Big East opener

Date: December 29, 2019

By: Joe Cammarota

The first game of Big East play is here, and Seton Hall is taking on the DePaul Blue Demons at Wintrust Arena at 8:30 p.m., Monday.

DePaul is entering play at 12-1, while Seton Hall enters at 8-4. Wintrust Arena may not always be the loudest place to play but has given Seton Hall some fits, including last year where they fell to DePaul, 75-74. Seton Hall has gone through some adversity of late with star Myles Powell getting hurt early on versus Rutgers and big man Sandro Mamukelashvili is out after sustaining an injury against Iowa State.

Seton Hall is coming off of two good wins versus then number seven Maryland and a 20-point victory over Prairie View A&M. Those games Seton Hall was led by Quincy McKnight whose steady play and scoring helped defeat the Terrapins. Sophomore winger Jared Rhoden has also picked up his play these past two games with multiple hustle plays in the Maryland game that helped the Hall grind out a victory and twelve point and nine board afternoon against Prairie View.

For DePaul, they have done a great job getting scoring from multiple players, as four are averaging double digits in that category. In addition, they shoot the three relatively well, converting on 35% of their chances all year.

A few key players to watch for them this game are Paul Reed, Charlie Moore, Jaylen Butz and Jalen Coleman-Lands. The junior forward Paul Reed is averaging a double-double with 15 points and almost 11 boards per game. Moore leads the Blue Demons in scoring with 16 points a game, and Butz and Coleman-Lands chip in with 11 each.

For Seton Hall to win, they are going to have to shut down a two of those options, and also control the glass. Romaro Gill and Ike Obiagu will have to have a presence down low and get Seton Hall as many possessions as possible as they may still be down two guys.

For DePaul, they have to be clinical from deep and shut down Quincy McKnight. If Powell and Mamukelashvili do not play, McKnight will be the number one option for the Pirates. The Pirates have not shown many other scoring options after him.

Joe Cammarota can be reached at joseph.cammarota@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: Sports, WSOU, Men's Basketball