The Viejas Arena in San Diego, California, will host the Men’s Basketball Championship – South Region – 1st Round game, and here you can read the best TCU Horned Frogs vs. Seton Hall Pirates betting pick and odds. The game will tip-off at 9:57 PM ET on Friday, March 18.

It’s going to be the first-ever meeting between these inter-conference rivals.

According to BetDSI Sportsbook, there are no favorites in this tilt, while the total is set at 129 points. The winner of this game will face Arizona or Wright State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Texas Christian didn’t impress in the conference play this season

The TCU Horned Frogs (No. 34 seed overall) earned their 9th NCAA Tournament appearance despite not playing well in the conference this year. Namely, they ended the regular season with a 20-12 record (8-10 in conference play) and after beating Texas in the quarterfinal of the Big 12 tournament, the Horned Frogs lost to Kansas.

The Horned Frogs have the 53rd defense in basketball that allows 65.0 ppg, while their offense averages 68.1 ppg (258th). TCU is 24th in the country in defensive efficiency with 93.2 points per 100 possessions, while the Horned Frogs are 77th in offensive efficiency with 108.4 points per 100 possessions.

Sophomore guard Mike Miles is the team’s top scorer with 15.0 ppg, along with 3.9 apg and 3.6 rpg. Emanuel Miller (10.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg) and Damion Baugh (10.7 ppg, 4.4 apg, and 4.2 rpg) are also main contributors to the Horned Frogs this season. TCU is No. 44 in the NCAA NET Rankings and No. 347 in the KenPom rankings.

Seton Hall stopped in the quarterfinal of the conference tourney

The Seton Hall Pirates (No. 32 seed) ended the regular season with a 21-10 record (11-8 in conference play) and entered the Big East tournament from 5th place. They needed to play in the first round; the Pirates beat Georgetown but lost to UConn in the quarterfinal. For the 14th time in the program’s history, Seton Hall will play at the NCAA Tournament.

The Pirates have the 91st defense in basketball that allows 66.3 ppg, while their offense averages 72.9 ppg (130th). Seton Hall is 26th in the country in defensive efficiency with 93.5 points per 100 possessions, while the Pirates are 76th in offensive efficiency with 108.5 points per 100 possessions.

Senior guard Jared Rhoden is carrying his team this season as he averages 15.9 ppg and 6.8 rpg. The Pirates’ second top-scorer, Bryce Aiken (14.5 ppg) suffered a concussion earlier this year and will miss the rest of the season. Seton Hall is No. 37 in the NCAA NET Rankings and No. 38 in the KenPom rankings.

Trends:

TCU:

  • 6-2-1 ATS in the last nine games
  • 7-2-1 ATS in the last ten games following a straight-up loss

Seton Hall:

  • 2-5 ATS in the last seven games
  • 2-5 ATS in the last seven NCAA Tournament games
  • 0-5 ATS in the last five neutral site games

TCU Horned Frogs vs. Seton Hall Pirates Pick

Seton Hall is perhaps in better form at the moment; winning six of its previous seven games, but I think they will miss one piece to the puzzle in this game and it’s Bryce Aiken. The former Harvard Crimson sharpshooter has been in terrific form for Seton Hall before his injury midway through January this year, scoring 22+ points in each of his last three appearances.

Without him to complement Jared Rhoden on offense, I believe the Pirates will be limited against the Horned Frogs’ top 60 defense. It’s going to be a close encounter that could go either way, but I am giving a slight advantage to TCU.

Pick: Take the TCU Horned Frogs Ev at -110

The Total

Talking about Seton Hall’s limitation on offense, the Pirates failed to score more than 67 points in seven of their previous nine games. The Horned Frogs are also not impressing on offense lately, so it’s going to be surprising if the rivals produce a high-scoring affair here.

The total has gone Under in 13 of Seton Hall’s last 16 games. The total went Under in five of TCU’s previous five games, Under is 10-4 in the Horned Frogs’ last 14 neutral site games, while Under is 5-1 in the Pirates’ previous six neutral site games.

Pick: Go Under 129 points at -110