Seton Hall University
Villanova
3 Things About Sunday's Encounter With No. 18 Nova
1/25/2019 11:44:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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| 2018-19 BIG EAST Conference Game Seton Hall Pirates (12-7, 3-4 BIG EAST) at No. 18 Villanova Wildcats (15-4, 6-0 BIG EAST) |
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| Date/Time/Location | Sunday, January 27 | 2:30 p.m. | Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia, Pa.) |
| Television Broadcast | FOXÂ |Â FOX Sports GO |
| Radio Broadcast | AM970 The Answer  | XM 381 |  Pirate Sports Network |
| Game Notes | Seton Hall | Villanova |
| Links | Live Stats | Twitter |  Facebook |  Instagram |
Every game in the BIG EAST is an opportunity to take a huge leap. Sunday will be no different.
The Pirates head to Wells Fargo Center with another opportunity to make a statement. They've taken down Kentucky. They've won at Maryland. They silenced St. John's. Can they make another wave and take down the defending national champions on their home court.
That's the question, and if they do, it'll be another pad to a resume that has been well stocked. The Pirates have the third-most KenPom Top 100 wins in the BIG EAST so far this season, Sunday is a chance to pick up another.
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We've had a difficult schedule so far & we'd like to point out despite some of the setbacks, we still rank in the top third of this league in KenPom Top 100 victories. #HALLin pic.twitter.com/KvQM3io0LG
— Seton Hall Basketball (@SetonHallMBB) January 23, 2019
Sunday's game will be nationally televised on the FOX Broadcast Network with Justin Kutcher and Bill Raftery calling the action and Shannon Spake reporting from the sidelines. Gary Cohen and Dave Popkin will have the radio call on AM970 The Answer, simulcast on XM 381 and the Pirate Sports Network.
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Side note: It's NABC Coaches vs. Cancer Week, and the coaching staff will be wearing sneakers to help raise awareness in the fight against the deadly disease. This year, coaches are wearing a special pair of gold laces in memory of Lacey Holsworth, an 8-year-old basketball fan who lost her battle with cancer.
It's #SuitsandSneakers Week! We are proud to support @CoachesvsCancer in their mission to help save more lives from cancer. Our staff will be wearing sneakers during Sunday's game which will air nationally on @FOXTV. #HALLin pic.twitter.com/IDzHHNwruX
— Seton Hall Basketball (@SetonHallMBB) January 24, 2019
Three Things to Know About Sunday's Matchup with Villanova
 1. Must Stop Phileric Boothchall
In six conference games, which represents 1/3 of the schedule, Phil Booth and Eric Paschall are averaging a combined 41.8 points per game while shooting 48 percent from the field overall and 44 percent from three. Those are gaudy numbers, and a huge reason why the Wildcats are once again atop the BIG EAST. The Pirates must contain this potent duo in order to taste victory in the city of brotherly love. Â
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2. Offense is Necessary
Villanova sports the best defense in the conference, allowing opponents to only score an average of 67.4 points per game. In Villanova's 15 wins, opponents average only 65.3 points per game. In Villanova's four losses, opponents average 75.3 points per game and shoot 49 percent from the floor. The Pirates will need to generate good offense and cross that 70-point line. Good things usually happen when they do reach 70 points; The Hall is 11-2 this season.
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3. Forget History, Live in the Now
Ok, so Seton Hall is 0-for-the-century at Villanova. That's fine. The last 16 trips to Pennsylvania mean nothing. All that matters is there are 12 student-athletes aiming for a huge road victory, and they are going to give everything they've got to achieve it.
