The Big East Tournament continues Friday night with a rivalry game between Seton Hall and St. John’s at Madison Square Garden. These programs have already faced each other twice this season, and both meetings produced competitive basketball before St. John’s pulled away late. With a spot in the conference championship game on the line, the stakes are much higher for the third Seton Hall vs St. John’s matchup of the season.
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Seton Hall Pirates @ St. John’s Red Storm
- Date & Time: Friday, March 13, 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
- Broadcast: FOX
Key Storylines
St. John’s enters this semifinal with a 26-6 record and the momentum of a dominant quarterfinal win over Providence. The Red Storm defeated the Friars 85-72, controlling the glass and dictating the pace throughout the game. That victory continued a remarkable stretch in which the team has won 17 of its last 18 contests, showing the balance and consistency that have defined this season.
Seton Hall advanced after knocking off Creighton in the quarterfinal round, keeping its postseason hopes alive with a 72-61 victory. The Pirates relied heavily on defense and timely scoring runs in the second half to close out that game. Their ability to slow down opposing offenses has been a major strength throughout the season.
Key Players
St. John’s
- Zuby Ejiofor: The Red Storm forward leads the team with 16.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. He delivered a huge performance in the quarterfinal round with 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks. His ability to score inside and control the boards is central to St. John’s success.
- Bryce Hopkins: Hopkins provides scoring balance and rebounding support. He has averaged around 12.6 points per game and frequently contributes double-digit rebounds. His versatility allows the Red Storm to stretch opposing defenses.
- Oziyah Sellers: Sellers adds perimeter shooting and secondary scoring. When he hits shots from deep, St. John’s offense becomes significantly harder to contain.
Seton Hall
- Adam Clark: Clark leads the Pirates with 12.4 points and 4.7 assists per game. As the primary ball handler, he controls the offense and creates opportunities for teammates.
- Stephon Payne: Payne anchors the frontcourt with 6.6 rebounds per game. His presence in the paint helps Seton Hall compete on the boards against more explosive offenses.
Stat Comparison
| Stat | St. John’s | Seton Hall |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 81.9 | 70.4 |
| Points allowed per game | 70.6 | 64.8 |
| Team Field Goal % | 45% | 44% |
| Rebounds per game | 38.7 | 35.7 |
| Assists per game | 16.4 | 13.0 |
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- St. John’s defeated Seton Hall twice during the regular season, including a 72-65 victory in their most recent meeting.
- St. John’s is 18-12-1 against the spread this season.
- Seton Hall is 19-13 against the spread entering Friday evening.
Seton Hall vs St. John’s Pick & Model Projection
- Score Projection: Seton Hall 68 – St. John’s 74 ATS PRO
- Pick: Seton Hall +7.5 ATS PRO
- Confidence: 3 out of 5 ATS PRO
- Win Probability: Seton Hall 36%, St. John’s 64% ATS PRO
St. John’s has already shown it can solve Seton Hall’s defense, and the offensive difference between these teams is significant. The Red Storm averages more than 80 points per game and moves the ball well with over 16 assists per contest. That balance makes them difficult to slow down across a full 40 minutes.
Seton Hall will attempt to grind this game down with defense and rebounding, which has helped keep both previous meetings competitive. I think that they will do a good enough job of keeping this game competitive to cover the spread, while St. John’s should win the game and advance to the Big East title game on their home floor.
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