The No. 11 Texas Longhorns (6-1) and No. 25 Seton Hall Pirates (7-1) meet as part of the Big-12-Big East Battle Thursday. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. ET at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Below, we look at the Texas vs. Seton Hall odds and lines and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
The Longhorns have won five straight games, each by a margin of 13 or more points, since losing to then-No. 1 Gonzaga Nov. 13. Texas has been spectacular on defense holding foes to just 55.3 points per game (fourth NCAA-I). Thursday’s contest will mark the Longhorns’ first road game since the setback against the Bulldogs.
The Pirates enter Thursday’s battle on a four-game win streak. Seton Hall has been a strong shooting team (46.6% from the field, 75.4% from the free-throw line), and its 82.5 PPG rank 27th in the nation. The Pirates are paced by a veteran core of eight upperclassmen.
Texas at Seton Hall odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Texas -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Seton Hall +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread (ATS): Texas -1.5 (-110) | Seton Hall +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 135.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Texas at Seton Hall odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Texas 66, Seton Hall 65
Money line
Consider a partial-unit play on SETON HALL (+105). The lean toward the Pirates is small, but in a low-scoring environment and with Texas traveling halfway across the country (and for the first time in nearly a month), a +105 or +115 edge on Seton Hall is an acceptable risk.
SHU’s perimeter defense (27.1% defending 3s) is a big key in turning this one into a lower-scoring pick-’em.
Against the spread
The Longhorns are 1-4 ATS in their last five road games following three or more consecutive home games.
Pair the above play with SETON HALL +1.5 (-110) as a bit of insurance.
Pirates G Bryce Aiken (illness) is listed as questionable for this game. Aiken is SHU’s fourth-leading scorer (9.9 PPG) and is a solid defender who was impressive in games against Michigan and Ohio State. Both those games are key comps in building a case for the Pirates in this one. Following his status is suggested as it could sway points and prices a bit.
Over/Under
The Under is 6-2 in the Longhorns’ last eight games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600 and is 4-0 in the Pirates’ last four games following a straight-up win of more than 20 points.
Seton Hall plays a fast tempo, but they will have their pace checked by a slowed-down Longhorn five in this one. Both veteran defenses work hard to contest every shot, and most of the damage on the Prudential Center scoreboard will be done from inside the arc.
The strongest play in this game is the UNDER 135.5 (-110).
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