Game Preview: Seton Hall vs. LIU Brooklyn

When: December 5

Where: Prudential Center

Time: 7 EST

How to Watch: Fox Sports 1

Seton Hall's Outlook

Taking LIU Brooklyn lightly just because they’re 2-4 would be unwise, being that the Pirates are fresh off of an embarrassing loss to FDU (3-6) on Sunday. Seton Hall was favored by 18.5 points in that game, and comes in as heavy favorites once again as they take on the Blackbirds.

ESPN ranks LIU Brooklyn as 308th in the nation on the boards, which bodes well for a Pirates team that allowed a 5’11" guard to hit them for a game-high nine rebounds last game. However, leading rebounder Gene Teague should be good to go after battling a stomach flu over the weekend.

Sterling Gibbs will look to get back on track after a season-low output offensively. The standout guard, who’s averaging over 14 points and four assists a game on the season, contributed just three points in Sunday’s 58-54 loss. Gibbs has now struggled in back-to-back games, combining for seven points on 0-15 shooting in SHU’s last two contests.

Brian Oliver hit four triples last game, and is shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc this season. He’ll look to continue firing from long-range, and spacing the floor for Fuquan Edwin.

After a few sub-par performances early on, Edwin has carried Seton Hall offensively. With Gibbs struggling and Patrik Auda out until December with a re-aggravated foot injury, and Edwin's increased role offensively has been essential for the Pirates.

Scouting the Blackbirds

LIU Brooklyn will come into the Prudential Center after notching their second victory of the season, a 74-72 win over Norfolk State. The Blackbirds have four double-digit scorers, led by E.J. Reed and Gerrell Martin with over 12 points and four boards a piece.

As a team, LIU Brookln has sub-40 shooting percentages both from the field and from three-point territory. But against the Spartans on Sunday, Martin, who hit the game-winning layup in the final seconds, and Reed combined for 29 points and led the team to a 47.3 shooting percentage.

To be frank, Seton Hall should win this game. Just like they should’ve beaten Mercer, Oklahoma and Fairleigh Dickinson. The Pirates have yet to meet an opponent with a more talented roster, but they’ve lost to three teams that played harder and showed more heart than them.

Prediction: Seton Hall 80, LUI Brooklyn 65