Newark, NJ – The eighth-ranked Connecticut Huskies hope to remain unbeaten in Big East Conference play as they take on the Seton Hall Pirates tonight at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
UConn is 12-1 overall and has captured seven consecutive victories since suffering its lone loss of the season against UCF. The defending national champion Huskies are coming off an 83-69 decision over St. John's on New Year's Eve that enabled them to move to 2-0 in league action.
As for Seton Hall, it owns a somewhat surprising 12-2 overall record, which includes a perfect 8-0 mark at home. The Pirates were crushed by top-ranked Syracuse last week to open Big East play, but they managed to bounce back strong on Friday with a 67-48 romp over West Virginia.
The Huskies hold a commanding 42-18 series lead over the Pirates, which includes victories in each of the past 11 meetings.
In the 14-point victory over St. John's on Saturday, UConn got 17 points and nine assists from Shabazz Napier, who hit 5-of-6 shots from the floor. Andre Drummond posted 16 points and 11 boards from his center position, while Jeremy Lamb was close behind with 15 points. The Huskies connected on a blistering 60.4 percent of their field goal attempts in that affair, including a 9-of-16 effort from three-point range. The defensive effort was strong as well, as UConn held St. John's to 36.2 percent overall shooting. Lamb is the go-to guy at the offensive end for the Huskies, as he is netting 18.9 ppg this season on 51.8 percent field goal efficiency. He gets plenty of help from Napier, who contributes 14.7 ppg and nearly seven assists per outing. Ryan Boatright provides 12.1 ppg for UConn, and Drummond checks in with 10.0 ppg. That balance has enabled the club to generate 74.6 ppg while holding opponents to 62.5 ppg on 36.3 percent field goal efficiency.
Through 14 contests, Seton Hall is generating 72.1 ppg while limiting foes to 62.6 ppg on 42.3 percent shooting from the field. Herb Pope is generating 18.6 ppg this season on 53.1 percent shooting from the floor, and he is ripping down 10.9 rpg as well. Jordan Theodore provides 15.8 ppg and 7.0 apg, while Fuquan Edwin adds 13.6 ppg to the mix to complement his 44 steals. It was the play of the Seton Hall defense that stood out against West Virginia on Friday, as the Pirates held the Mountaineers to 32.1 percent shooting from the field while forcing 17 turnovers. At the offensive end, Edwin netted 19 points, while Theodore finished with 18 points and eight assists. Pope rounded out the outstanding trio with 13 points, seven rebounds and six blocks.
