Providence @ Seton Hall preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 30, 2019 ) Providence 63, Seton Hall 65

Tenth-ranked Seton Hall is 6-0 in the Big East for the first time and puts its eight-game winning streak on the line when it hosts Providence on Wednesday. Senior guard Myles Powell is the biggest reason for the Pirates' success as he's scored 29 points in consecutive games and became the fifth player in school history to surpass 2,000 points in Saturday's 82-79 victory at St. John's.

“You’re looking at a pro,” Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard told reporters. “I can’t say enough. (He’s) the best player in college basketball” while Powell told the media of his coach: “When one of the best coaches in the country has that much confidence in you, it’s kind of hard to lack confidence.” The Pirates' winning streak matches the longest in Willard's 10 years at the school with a similar run occurring from Nov. 22-Dec. 23, 2011. The Friars have dropped two of three since starting 3-0 in conference after Saturday's 78-74 loss at Creighton despite a career-high 36 points from guard David Duke. "David is the hardest working player I’ve ever coached,” Providence coach Ed Cooley told reporters. “He’s in the gym morning, noon, and night, and I’m really happy for him that it’s paying off.”

TIME: 8:30 p.m. ET. TV: Fox Sports 1

ABOUT PROVIDENCE (11-8, 4-2 Big East): Duke (13 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists per game) also set career highs in field goals (12) and 3-pointers (six), and makes 49.7 percent from beyond the arc. Alpha Diallo paces the team with 14 points and 8.3 rebounds, and boasts seven double-doubles. Nate Watson (9.2 points, 4.3 rebounds) shoots 50 percent from the field and 49.1 percent from the free throw line.

ABOUT SETON HALL (14-4, 6-0): Powell is second in the conference at 22.4 points per game, averages 5.1 rebounds and shoots 78.4 percent from the free throw line. Quincy McKnight (11.4 points) is second in the Big East in assists at 5.3 after recording two double-doubles in his last five contests. Jared Rhoden (8.3 points, 6.1 rebounds) has scored 10 or more points in four of his last seven games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Willard said that 6-11 F Sandro Mamukelashvili, who broke his right wrist Dec. 8, could return Jan. 29.

2. Friars G A.J. Reeves has missed the last two games because of a head injury and remains day-to-day.

3. Powell (2,022 points) joined

PREDICTION: Seton Hall 78, Providence 69