Butler @ Seton Hall preview

Butler at Seton Hall

Last Meeting ( Feb 19, 2020 ) Butler 72, Seton Hall 74

If there were such things as statement wins in late December, Seton Hall certainly earned one Wednesday.

Playing perhaps their best game of the season, the Pirates went into previously 8-1 Xavier and dismantled the Musketeers 85-68 in a game in which Seton Hall led by 27 points in the second half.

It was the latest in an impressive string of games for Seton Hall (7-4, 4-1 Big East), which has won six of its past seven games following a 1-3 start. Next up for the Pirates: a conference game against Butler on Saturday afternoon in Newark, N.J.

Coaches naturally are hard to please, but even Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard heaped praise on his team after the blowout at Xavier.

"Watching these kids play basketball right now is inspiring," Willard told the Asbury Park Press. "They're playing with their hearts. They're enjoying being around each other. They're enjoying the opportunity to play. And they're taking advantage of it."

Six players scored in double figures against Xavier, but the player who makes the Pirates go is Sandro Mamukelashvili, who rebounded from a two-point effort in a win over Georgetown on Dec. 23 by scoring 18 against Xavier.

Mamukelashvili leads the team in scoring at 18.2 points per game, followed by Jared Rhoden at 15.5.

Seton Hall continues to score at the free-throw line, entering Saturday's game third in the nation in attempts (256) and second in shots made (188).

The Bulldogs (2-4, 1-2), meanwhile, are coming off a 71-55 loss at Providence on Wednesday in a game in which Butler trailed 35-18 at halftime.

"We didn't respond well early and then were in recovery mode the rest of the way," Butler coach LaVall Jordan said. "There were segments where we played pretty well, but definitely not consistent enough. But Providence had a lot to do with that."

Aaron Thompson (17.5 ppg) and Jair Bolden (14.2) are Butler's top scorers.

--Field Level Media