A Top 25 showdown in the Big East highlights our Wednesday night slate when the #18 Creighton Bluejays (13-4, 4-2 Big East) take on the #1 UConn Huskies (15-2, 5-1 Big East). Creighton just pulled out a tight win at home over St. John's 66-65, but did not cover the 6.5-point spread as favorites. UConn also won at home, defeating Georgetown 80-67, missing the cover as 21.5-point favorites. These teams split their matchups last season, with the home team winning each game. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 EST from Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut and can be found on FS1.
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Creighton will come into this big matchup with UConn on a four game win streak, thanks to some clutch free throw shooting. Junior guard Trey Alexander knocked down two free throws with 12 seconds left to take a one point lead, then their defense was able to hold on and win the game. Creighton had a poor shooting night, they only shot 36.7% from the field and 22.2% from three, but still won the low scoring battle. Creighton's big man Ryan Kalkbrenner had 18 points and nine rebounds in the win.
Creighton is led by a trio of scorers that each average over 15 points. Their top scorer is 6'7 senior Baylor Scheierman with 18.0 PPG, he also leads the team in rebounding with 8.3 per game, and has the most made threes with 52 makes on 36.9% shooting from deep. He is coming off a double-double against St. John's with 17 points and 12 rebounds, and scored 20 in the previous win against DePau l. Trey Alexander is a 6'4 guard and their primary ballhandler, he scores 16.3 PPG and leads the team with 4.5 APG. Alexander had scored 16 or more in six straight games heading into the St. John's game, but against the Red Storm he only shot 3-14 and finished with eight points. Kalkbrenner is their anchor inside, he is 7'1 and 270 pounds and averages 15.9 PPG and 7.4 RPG to go with 2.5 blocks per game. He has scored 18 or more in his last three games.
Creighton is currently ranked 15th overall according to KenPom. They rank 25th in offensive efficiency and 13th in defensive efficiency. The Bluejays play slow offensively, their tempo is ranked 257th in the nation based on their pace of play.
Injury Report: None listed