Updated March 11, 2026
The Big East Tournament continues Thursday with an intriguing quarterfinal between Creighton and Seton Hall at Madison Square Garden. These programs split their regular-season meetings and now meet again with postseason stakes attached. Seton Hall enters with the stronger overall record at 20-11, while Creighton sits at 15-16 but has shown the ability to compete with top teams in the conference. Here, I break down this contest in the Big East and make my Creighton vs Seton Hall prediction.
Pick: Creighton +2.5 ATS PRO
Confidence: 3 out of 5
Creighton arrives at the tournament after an inconsistent season that still included several impressive results. The Bluejays average 75.6 points per game and play at a faster pace than most Big East teams. They also distribute the ball well, ranking near the top of the conference in assists. However, defense has been the issue all season, allowing more than 75 points per contest. That imbalance explains why the Bluejays finished the regular season below .500 despite having a capable offense.
Seton Hall takes a very different approach. The Pirates are built around defense and rim protection, holding opponents to only 65 points per game. Their games often trend lower scoring because they slow the pace and rely on physical interior defense. That defensive identity has kept them competitive against strong conference opponents even when their offense stalls.
These teams split the season series in dramatic fashion. Creighton escaped with a 69-68 victory in February, while Seton Hall won by two points in their win over Creighton. With both teams familiar with each other and the stakes elevated in a conference tournament environment, another close finish would not be surprising.
Stat | Creighton | Seton Hall |
|---|---|---|
Points per game | 75.6 | 70.4 |
Points allowed per game | 75.1 | 65.0 |
Team Field Goal % | 45% | 44% |
Rebounds Per Game | 35.1 | 35.7 |
Assists Per Game | 15.5 | 13.0 |
Score Projection: Creighton 71 – Seton Hall 69 ATS PRO
Win Probability: Creighton 53%, Seton Hall 47% ATS PRO
This quarterfinal pits two contrasting styles against each other. Seton Hall wants a slow defensive contest, while Creighton thrives when the game opens up, and the ball moves quickly around the perimeter. The Pirates have the better defensive metrics and a slightly stronger season record, but Creighton has consistently played them close and I would expect nothing less here. I'll take the points with Creighton in what should be a very good game from MSG.
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