Providence @ Seton Hall preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 15, 2019 ) Seton Hall 63, Providence 72

Seton Hall's recent play leaves plenty to be desired after capturing the attention of the college basketball world with upset victories over Kentucky and Maryland in December. The Pirates look to snap a season-high four-game losing skid on Wednesday when they host Big East rival Providence at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

"We know that can affect our NCAA chances of getting in," Seton Hall sophomore wing Myles Cale said, via the Asbury Park Press. "(Wednesday's) game can be a turnaround for the rest of Big East play. I know my team is going to come out and do whatever it takes to win." Cale scored a team-high 14 points in Sunday's 80-52 shellacking versus Villanova, highlighted by a 4-for-6 performance from 3-point range to improve to 12-for-17 in his last three outings -- including a 3-for-4 effort in a 72-63 setback at Providence on Jan. 15. The Friars snapped a three-game skid with that victory versus the Pirates and have won three of their last four after defeating both Xavier and DePaul. Alpha Diallo made all 14 of his free-throw attempts and finished with a team-high 20 points and nine rebounds in Sunday's 70-67 triumph over the Blue Demons.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN/YurView

ABOUT PROVIDENCE (13-7, 3-4 Big East): Diallo has been the "Alpha male" for the Friars of late, as the workhorse junior guard is averaging team highs in points (17.0), rebounds (8.5), assists (3.3), steals (1.8) and minutes (36.3). Diallo recorded 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field while freshman guard David Duke pumped in a team-high 18 points as the Friars took advantage of 22 turnovers by Seton Hall in the first encounter. Duke has struggled since that contest, however, shooting 4-for-16 from the field and 0-for-5 from 3-point range.

ABOUT SETON HALL (12-8, 3-5): Leading scorer Myles Powell (21.2 points) failed to find any rhythm to his offense and finished with just three points against the Wildcats, marking the first time he has been held under double digits since scoring nine in a 75-74 setback versus Butler on March 8. The junior guard hit the game-winning shot in overtime against the Friars and erupted for 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field in an 89-77 triumph over Providence on Feb. 22. Quincy McKnight had a team-high 16 points in the most recent meeting with the Friars and followed that up with a season-best 25 in a 97-93 setback to DePaul before finishing with just five versus Villanova.

TIP-INS

1. Providence freshman G A.J. Reeves scored 11 points in as many minutes on Sunday in his return from a nine-game absence due to a foot injury.

2. Pirates F Michael Nzei followed an eight-rebound performance in the first encounter with the Friars by recording half that total over the next two contests.

3. Providence C Nate Watson is 18-for-28 from the field in his last three games after making just 3 of 10 shots in the first meeting with Seton Hall.

PREDICTION: Providence 68, Seton Hall 62