Seton Hall and USC face off in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational on Wednesday in Hawai'i. The Pirates enter this game undefeated at 6–0 and flaunting a stingy defense, while the Trojans are unbeaten at 5–0. One of these teams will stay undefeated and advance to the final round of this tournament. Who will that be? Continue reading to get my Seton Hall vs USC prediction for this matchup.
Our Seton Hall vs USC Pick
Pick: Under 146.5
Confidence: ★★★★☆
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Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Seton Hall Pirates vs USC Trojans
- Date & Time: Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 5:00 PM ET
- Venue: Lahaina Civic Center, Lahaina, Hawaii
- Broadcast: ESPN
Key Storylines
- Defensive strength vs offensive firepower: Seton Hall is allowing just 57.3 points per game, representing one of the nation’s top defensive units. They proved that they can stop a power conference opponent by upsetting NC State in their last game. USC is averaging over 90 points per game and will try to pass a test against a Big East opponent here.
- Tempo contrast: The Pirates play in a low‑tempo, methodical style that frustrates opponents. USC, meanwhile, thrives in transition and pushes the pace when it can.
- Key contributors: For USC, Chad Baker‑Mazara is the leading scorer, while Rodney Rice and Ezra Ausar provide significant offensive support. Seton Hall leans on Tajuan Simpkins, AJ Staton‑McCray, and Elijah Fisher in their rotation.
- Maui Invitational stakes: With both teams undefeated, this game could shape the resumes for both of these teams while also determining who will appear in the final in Maui.
- Playing with house money: Seton Hall was a 10.5-point underdog against NC State yesterday but they managed to get the win. They face the pressure of a semifinal here, but they can play freely knowing that they weren't expected to be here.
Head‑to‑Head & Betting Trends
- USC is 3-2 against the spread going into this matchup.
- Seton Hall is 3-3 against the spread entering this matchup.
- The under has cashed in three of USC's first five games.
- The under has hit in four of
Seton Hall vs USC Model Projection
Score Projection: Seton Hall 69 – USC 75
Win Probability: USC 75%, Seton Hall 25%
Final Thoughts
This matchup is a clash between defense-first and offense-first philosophies. While Seton Hall’s defensive discipline has been impressive all season, USC’s high-octane attack could give them the upper hand in this spot. I think the Trojans win the game, but Seton Hall slows the game down enough to keep things under the total.
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