Villanova Wildcats vs. Creighton Blue Jays: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/4/2023

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: CHI Health Center, Omaha, Omaha, NE

Where to watch: FOX

DraftKings: Creighton -9.5

FanDuel: Creighton -9.5

BetMGM: Creighton -9.5

Caesars: Creighton -10

Villanova: 10-12 (4-7 Big East)

Creighton: 14-8 (8-3 Big East)

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Villanova: lost 73-64 at Marquette

Creighton: won 63-53 at Georgetown

I feel like I say this every year when it gets to this time of year but never sleep on the Creighton Blue Jays. You just can't sleep on them. It's not like that they are the most dominant team ever when it gets to March but you never really want to push the envelope so far to where you get completely shell shocked that they were able to win games.

 

Because of course now they've won five games in a row period of course they are now putting themselves right in the upper third of the Big East conference period of course they are winning games and shocking ranked opponents and doing so in convincing fashion because that is what Creighton does every single year this time of year.

 

So now Creighton will be taking on the Villanova Wildcats on Saturday in not necessarily a game where you look at it on the schedule and think that Villanova has a chance because this year, this version of the Wildcats does not have a chance. But what this game does create is the chance for the Blue Jays to move their winning streak to six games on their homecourt and a chance to really garner some momentum as we head to the final month of the regular season.

 

Because the Blue Jays are going to run into these kinds of games going forward. After this they have a tough matchup at Seton Hall, which is a very tough place to play this time of year, and then they have a home game against UConn and then they have a road game against Providence and then eventually they will see Marquette.

 

Now, I can understand if you are somewhat concerned. Because the Blue Jays are coming off not necessarily their best game to this point. Yes, they won 63-53 over the Georgetown hoyas who aren't necessarily the best team in the Big East this year. But the one thing you can always count on with a Creighton offense is that it is extremely balanced and when all five scorers score in double figures, you're not gonna get that with most teams. Creighton prides itself on sharing the ball and scoring whoever happens to have the best shot.

 

Ryan Kalkbrenner led the way with 16 points on 7 of 11 shooting, and Ryan Nembhard had 14 points on three made 3-pointers. Again, they're not the best team but they know how to win when it matters most and right now you can take Creighton hitting 38% of its shots and still won a game. Now that won't translate to everyone else in the Big East, much like the five or six other ranked teams in the process but they are going to make things entertaining and they are going to be a tough out in the Big East tournament in a matter of a month.

 

As for their opponent on Saturday, there's not much really to talk about. Villanova is having a down year and this was to be expected at some point. And to expect them to go into Creighton and win a game is not the most ideal situation.

 

The Blue Jays know how to wear a team down at both ends of the court and will absolutely do so again no matter what the spread is. Creighton 81, Villanova 65

Villanova is 4-7 ATS against conference opponents this season.

Villanova is 2-8 ATS this season after failing to cover three of four this season.

Creighton is 89-57 ATS after 2 straight wins by 10 points or more since 1997.

PG: Mark Armstrong

SG: Caleb Daniels

SF: Cam Whitmore

PF: Brandon Slater

C: Eric Dixon

PG: Ryan Nembhard

SG: Trey Alexander

SF: Baylor Scheierman

PF: Arthur Kaluma

C: Ryan Kalkbrenner

Points: Caleb Daniels -- 16.2

Rebounds: Eric Dixon -- 6.5

Assists: Caleb Daniels -- 3.0

Points: Ryan Kalkbrenner -- 15.1

Rebounds: Baylor Scheierman -- 8.3

Assists: Ryan Nembhard -- 5.1