The “Biggest Rivalry Game In Years” Game Thread: Rutgers At Seton Hall

How To Watch, Stream & Listen

Rutgers (10-1) At Seton Hall (9-2)

Where: The Prudential Center, Newark, NJ - SOLD OUT

Tip-off: Friday, December 23rd at 6:30 p.m. EST

TV: FOX Sports 1 - Brian Custer and Danny Marshall

Stream: FOX Sports App

Radio: WCTC 1450 AM - Jerry Recco & Joe Boylan; WRSU 88.7 FM - Dom Savino and Tim Catalfamo

KenPom Rankings: Rutgers #115; Seton Hall #50

KenPom Prediction: Seton Hall 75 Rutgers 65 ; Rutgers is given a 19% chance to win.

Series History: This will be the 57th meeting between the in-state rivals, with Seton Hall owning a 33-23 advantage. The Hall have won the past three seasons since the schools began to meet just once a year, due to playing in different conferences. It is now dubbed the Garden State Hardwood Classic.

Connections: As is to be expected, there are many close connections between these blood rivals. Of course, Rutgers AD Pat Hobbs was interim AD and Dean of the Law School at Seton Hall. Former Rutgers head coach Fred Hill is an assistant with the Hall. Mike Williams was high school teammates with Khadeen Carrington and both played with Angel Delgado in AAU ball. Nigel Johnson played at Kansas State with fellow transfer Jevon Thomas.

For our full game preview, click here.

To read our Q&A with Big East Coast Bias on Seton Hall, click here.

To read our own Dave White is staying in his bunker for the game, click here.

For a review of all great games in this rivalry from the past 20 years, click here.

I’ve written a lot ahead of this game, the last one of the non-conference schedule and easily the biggest one we’ve all waited for. I’m nervous for sure, as this is the biggest stage Rutgers will have played on so far in year one of the rebuild. It’s not just a game that is under the microscope in New Jersey. Any true college basketball fan, as well as die hards who follow teams in the Big East and Big Ten, will be watching this game. It’s easily the best contest of the night in college basketball and I really hope Rutgers helps this game live up to the hype. A LOT of things need to happen tonight for them to win. Most importantly, they need to maintain their composure and come out ready to play from the opening tip. Rutgers wants respect, well it’s staring back at them on the court tonight. Time to go get it!

This is also an important night from a recruiting perspective, as pretty much every top local target from the class of 2018 that Rutgers is targeting will be attending and hosted by Seton Hall. There are several 2019 targets being hosted by the Pirates as well. They need to represent well.

I will be live tweeting from court side during the game and you can follow along here. Join us in the comment section below to talk shop among one another as well. I’ll have plenty of coverage postgame from the Rock after the final buzzer. Let’s go RU!!