Seton Hall's NCAA hopes fading after recent losses

Seton Hall faces a critical juncture in its season, hosting Georgetown on Saturday night in Newark, New Jersey. The Pirates, now 18-9 overall and 8-8 in Big East play, are tied for fourth place and are on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament, listed among the 'next four' teams out by ESPN.com. Despite this precarious position, the team struggles offensively, leading the league in scoring at a mere 71.1 points per game. Their most recent performance saw them fall to DePaul on Wednesday, 69-57, after a decisive 18-5 run by the Blue Demons in the final minutes. Coach Shaheen Holloway lamented the team's lack of urgency, stating they "looked like we were in quicksand." Once ranked in the AP Top 25, Seton Hall has now lost three of its last five contests and has four crucial Big East games remaining, including matchups against top teams UConn and St. John's.

Georgetown, with a record of 13-13 and 5-10 in conference play, is also seeking a turnaround. Coach Ed Cooley expressed significant disappointment following their 93-89 home loss to Butler on Wednesday, where the Hoyas squandered a 15-point second-half lead. Cooley criticized his team's defensive effort, calling it a "lazy group, not connected defensively." The Hoyas have lost three consecutive games. Key players for Georgetown include guard KJ Lewis, averaging 15.5 points per game, and Malik Mack, who contributes 14.0 ppg and leads the conference in free-throw percentage.

Seton Hall's starting center, Stephon Payne, is managing an ankle issue, which limited his play and resulted in no points scored in his last two appearances. Coach Holloway is focused on revitalizing his team's energy and confidence for the crucial home game. Georgetown's coach, Ed Cooley, hopes his team can find its 'Hoya basketball' rhythm, emphasizing the need for improved defensive intensity, energy, and attention to detail.