Georgetown @ Seton Hall preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 10, 2018 ) Seton Hall 80, Georgetown 83

Myles Powell is on a tear since his worst game in two years, and looks to carry Seton Hall to another Big East victory Wednesday against visiting Georgetown. The junior has recorded three straight 20-point games for the first time in his career, including a scintillating final four minutes against Creighton on Tuesday, and will try for another big game against the Hoyas.

By scoring 13 points over the final four minutes against Creighton, Powell not only lifted the Pirates to a much-needed victory but gave himself 74 points over the last three contests, the fourth most over a three-game span in his career. The Trenton, N.J., native had 80, 76 and 75 points, respectively, over three-game spans earlier this season buoyed by a 40-point effort against Grand Canyon. "When he plays with that sense of urgency and that little fire that he's got going toward the ends of games, he's just unstoppable," coach Kevin Willard told the media of Powell, who is trying to the lead the Pirates to their fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Hoyas proved they are not ready for big-time players by performing poorly in Saturday's home loss to Butler despite getting 21 points from freshman guard Mac McClung.

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

ABOUT GEORGETOWN (15-9, 5-6 Big East): After earning Big East Freshman of the Week honors by putting up 42 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and five steals over two games, James Akinjo has fallen on hard times, including playing the worst game of his career against Butler. The California native was held without a field goal for the first time and had a career-low two points against the Bulldogs. Akinjo escaped a prolonged shooting slump by going 13-of-26 from the field and 7-of-13 from 3-point land against Xavier and No. 13 Villanova but fell right back into its grip by going 1-of-17 and 0-of-6 in the last two games.

ABOUT SETON HALL (14-9, 5-6): With Taurean Thompson out because of a violation of team rules, the Pirates essentially beat Creighton with their starting five players. Junior Quincy McKnight overcame early foul trouble to score 14 points and is now averaging 12 points in league games, which is a slight uptick from his season average of 10.3 points. Sandro Mamukelashvili had his fourth double-digit rebound game of the season, and Michael Nzei and Myles Cale combined for 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Pirates, who are one of five teams along with Georgetown, St. John's, DePaul and Butler who are 5-6 in the Big East.

TIP-INS

1. Jamorko Pickett, whose season-high 18 points was wasted against Butler, scored 18 points in the second meeting last season with Seton Hall as the Hoyas snapped a five-game losing streak in the series, which they lead 58-47 - including 31-15 at home.

2. Georgetown senior Jessie Govan, who needs 15 rebounds to join coach Patrick Ewing as one of six players in Georgetown history with at least 1,500 points and 800 boards, has recorded 24 career double-doubles but is still in search of his first against the Pirates.

3. Powell, who was limited to three points in a loss to Villanova Jan. 27, his lowest output since scoring two points Jan. 14, 2017, averaged 22 points in two games last season against Georgetown and has scored 14.3 points per game across four meetings against the Hoyas.

PREDICTION: Seton Hall 77, Georgetown 71