Indiana State vs Seton Hall Odds, Pick & Prediction for NIT

The period between the Elite Eight and the Final Four is the longest waiting period of the college basketball season. Luckily, we have an electric NIT Championship game happening on tap Thursday evening at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Many believed both Indiana State and Seton Hall should've been in the NCAA Tournament, and they now have a chance to prove themselves to the nation.

Both teams have contrasting styles, making for an exciting matchup.

It's a shame the Sycamores didn't get to participate in the NCAA Tournament, as their loss to Southern Illinois probably put the nail in the coffin in terms of receiving an at-large bid.

Despite that loss, their offense is amongst the most electric in the country, ranking 12th in adjusted offensive efficiency while pacing the nation in effective field-goal percentage and 2-point percentage.

They're also top-12 in 3-point and free-throw percentages and do a solid job of protecting the basketball.

The Sycamores will face an unwavering Pirates defense, but their offense is more than capable of overcoming it. Indiana State continues to run and gun, ranking sixth in 3-point attempts while shooting 38% from deep.

While Seton Hall may slow Indiana State down at times, the Sycamores have enough firepower and talent to win the game.

Plus, Indiana State has a big advantage with the game taking place in Indianapolis.

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Seton Hall proved to be a force in the Big East this season, going 13-7.

Head coach Shaheen Holloway has done an exceptional job getting the most out of his players, including Dre Davis, Al-Amir Dawes and Kadary Richmond.

Essentially playing a road game here, winning the NIT title won't be easy against an impressive Indiana State bunch.

However, Seton Hall's 35th-ranked defense and its ability to slow the game's tempo will give it a chance against the Sycamores' explosive offense. The Pirates need to be wary of ISU's prowess from 3-point land, but they have the physicality and defensive ability to win the game by slowing it down to a crawl.

Offensively, the Pirates are careless with the ball, but the Sycamore don't force turnovers.

Seton Hall is still a poor 3-point shooting team, but perhaps it can find a few cracks in an Indiana State defense that has allowed opponents to shoot 35% from deep.

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The under is the best approach for this game.

Although the NIT Championship may not seem like a big deal to some, both teams have something to prove after being left out of the NCAA Tournament field.

The Sycamores utilize a fast pace offensively and are a threat from the 3-point line, which can be intimidating when taking an under. However, the Pirates have a strong defense and can slow down the game.

While I believe Indiana State will win, I have more confidence in the total going under.

Question marks surround the Pirates offense, and they tend to make mistakes that leave points on the floor. They're also below average in 3-point percentage, 2-point percentage and free-throw attempts per game.

I anticipate a slow start to the game, with Seton Hall's defense controlling the tempo throughout.

Pick: Under 159.5 (Play to 158)