Providence Friars (14-7, 5-3) vs. Seton Hall Pirates (16-5, 5-3)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Prudential Center, Newark N.J.

TV: FS1 (Justin Kutcher, Jim Jackson)

LINE: SHU -7

ALL-TIME: Providence leads 52-49

The Pirates got a much needed victory on Sunday afternoon in the windy city with an 86-70 win over DePaul. The Pirates led wire-to-wire and played one of their more complete games of the season.

Now, they come home and look to continue the momentum, as they take on the Providence Friars, who have turned things around in conference play after a sluggish start to the season.

Providence began the year 9-4, but things began to look brighter after their Big East opener, when they ran St. John’s out of their own building in a 94-72 victory. Now, they enter this one with a 5-3 record in conference play, and with a week off behind them after a road loss to Villanova last Tuesday.

Kyron Cartwright has averaged 7.5 assists per game so far in Big East play, and has improved his play since league play started. On top of that, he has also averaged 16.1 PPG in conference play, while Rodney Bullock sits second on the team with 14.6 PPG in conference play.

But the Pirates counter with strength and athleticism, highlighted by Angel Delgado and his 37 total rebounds in the last two games combined. Last game, he passed Derrick Coleman for the all-time Big East lead in rebounding. Desi Rodriguez still leads the team in scoring in conference play with 16.5 PPG, while Myles Powell is coming in hot after knocking down some key three-pointers down the stretch on Sunday.

Look for the Pirates to balance inside and outside play, while feeding the ball down low to Delgado as they try to dominate the inside game. For Providence, they will let Cartwright facilitate offensively and spread the ball around, and it will be up to Khadeen Carrington to try and match him.

Expect a close game in Newark tonight, but the Pirates will want this game badly leading up to their showdown on Sunday afternoon with No. 1 Villanova.