3 Things About Thursday's Ranked vs. Ranked Clash at The Rock

2019-20 Seton Hall Men's Basketball Non-Conference Game No. 12 Seton Hall Pirates (2-0, 0-0 BIG EAST) vs. No. 3 Michigan State Spartans (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
Date/Time/Location	Thursday, Nov. 14 \| 8:30 p.m. \| Prudential Center (Newark, N.J.)
Tickets	Ticketmaster.com \| Prudential Center Box Office
Television Broadcast	FS1 \| FOX Sports GO
Radio Broadcast	AM970 \| Sirius 135 \| XM 201 \| Pirate Sports Network
Game Notes	Seton Hall \| Michigan State
Links	Live Stats \| Twitter \| Instagram
Promotions	BLUE OUT
Game Presented By	Nielsen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram East Hanover, N.J.

This game has been circled on everyone's calendar since the announcement in May. A storied basketball program is coming to The Rock to play the Pirates in a non-conference game. It doesn't happen very often. In fact, no ranked team has come to Seton Hall's house for a non-conference game since No. 18 Texas visited the Meadowlands on Dec. 4, 2004.

FIFTEEN YEARS!

Well the scheduling gods have finally delivered, and Thursday night we have ourselves a ranked vs. ranked showdown. The No. 12 Pirates and the No. 3 Spartans. The curtain's been lifted, and over 13,000 fans are expected. It's time to make November the new March.

Thursday's game emanates on FS1 with Gus Johnson and Bill Raftery on the call. The FS1 studio show will also be on hand as Mike Hill and Steve Lavin will be anchoring live during halftime of the Penn State - Georgetown game that begins at 6:30 p.m. For your radio needs, Gary Cohen and Dave Popkin will be on the call on AM970 The Answer, simulcast on Sirius 135, XM 201 and the Pirate Sports Network.

Three Things to Know About Thursday Night's Clash with Michigan State

1. Ranked vs. Ranked is a Rarity
There have been 2,605 Seton Hall men's basketball games in program history. Only 40 of them have been contested when both the Pirates and their opponent are nationally ranked by the Associated Press. That is 1.5 percent of all the games. Seton Hall is 20-20 in those games, including 8-5 at home. So let's try to enjoy the uniqueness of this game. Both teams are great and the fans should be engaged throughout.

2. All Eyes on Q's Defense
Yes, you're all wondering about Myles Powell's status for the game, but forget that for a moment and think about the defense Quincy McKnight is capable of playing and how important that will be against the national preseason player of the year Cassius Winston. McKnight was pivotal in Seton Hall's wins over Kentucky, Maryland and Marquette when he devoured his opposing point guards. Seton Hall needs to slow Winston down, and McKnight's the guy to do it. Stay out of foul trouble at all costs.

3. BLUE OUT
There is only one acceptable color to wear to the game Thursday night. We want all the fans in their best Pirate Blue gear to show solidarity. It's time to GET LOUD!