Game preview: Seton Hall eyes a return to previous form against Providence

Date: January 18, 2020

By: Heaven Hill

Days after dominating the Creighton Bluejays 82-70 on Kids Day, the Seton Hall Pirates return to Walsh Gymnasium to take on the Providence Friars at 1 p.m.

In the Pirates’ previous matchup against Creighton, it was potentially Seton Hall’s biggest win of the season, save for the 13-point comeback win against Butler. Five players scored in double figures and the team shot 61% from the field in the first quarter, hitting seven threes in the opening period.

It was the Hall’s second time this year with 20 assists in a game, along with their season opener against Sacred Heart. Alexia Allesch even added eight points and three rebounds of her own off the bench.

All in all, it was a great victory and a huge confidence builder after a tough road trip where Lauren Park-Lane, Shadeen Samuels and other important contributors for the Pirates struggled.

On the opposing end we have the Providence Friars, who’d like to forget their start to conference play. The Friars were once 9-3, but have since gone winless in the Big East to the tune of a six-game losing streak. In their last matchup against St. John’s on the road, they arguably outplayed them.

They won the rebound battle 47-30, they led in points in the paint 36-24, and second chance points 10-3. St. John’s took advantage of the Friars’ 18 turnovers and turned them into an 18-2 advantage in fast break points, managing to pull out the victory. Five of their six losses in conference play have been decided by 10 points or less, so the record could easily be very different if the ball bounced another way for Providence.

Looking ahead to Sunday, one of Seton Hall’s keys to victory is simple: attempt to stop Providence star Mary Baskerville. Reigning Big East Freshman of the Year and the youngest unanimous selection to the preseason All-Big East first team, Baskerville has the fourth-highest usage rate in all of Division I women’s basketball, at a rate of 37.4%. Simply put, even though she only averages 20 minutes a game, the ball is going to be in her hands a lot.

Baskerville is a threat offensively and defensively, averaging about 14 points and eight rebounds, while swatting almost two shots a game as well. The Pirates are going to have to attack her and try to get Baskerville into foul trouble, to affect Providence’s scheme.

Another key for Seton Hall to pull out the win against Providence will be to capitalize offensively. The Friars currently average more turnovers than they force, giving the ball away about 16 times or so per game.

The Pirates force over 20 turnovers per game, so if Seton Hall can force Baskerville and Providence’s other major contributor Kaela Webb into tough situations, they can score easy buckets on the other end. Hopefully, the Hall can get 20 points off turnovers, which should offset Providence’s smothering defense, currently holding their opponents to 36% from the field.

It should be a good one in historic Walsh Gymnasium, so make sure to tune in at 1 pm, with Ronny Castaneda and Jose Balderrama on the call.

Heaven Hill can be reached at heaven.hill@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: Sports, WSOU, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball