Creighton vs UConn Odds
| Creighton Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 141.5 -110o / -110u | +250 |
| UConn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -110 | 141.5 -110o / -110u | -320 |
In a great Big East matchup, the Connecticut Huskies host the Creighton Bluejays.
Creighton went on a six-game losing streak, but has bounced back with three straight conference wins over Butler, DePaul and Seton Hall. It also helps to have Ryan Kalkbrenner — one of the most efficient posts in college basketball — back.
Kalkbrenner will match up with one of the other great posts in the country: Adama Sanogo. The two best players on the floor will cancel each other out, so how else will these teams score?
Both teams are phenomenal on the defensive end, which should keep the under in play for the entirety of the contest.
Creighton Bluejays
Creighton may have one of the best posts in the country, but it doesn't shoot a tremendous amount of 3-pointers. The Bluejays rank 48th in the country in 3-point attempt percentage, with 36.3% of their points coming from beyond the arc.
However, UConn is one of the best teams in the country at defending the arc. The Huskies hold opponents to 28.2% shooting on 3s, so open looks from deep should be few and far between.
Building off of that, Kalkbrenner is shooting over 80% on 2-pointers. This has helped boost Creighton’s efficiency on 2-pointers to 55.6% offensively.
Again, UConn is also good at defending inside. Opponents are shooting only 43.4% against the Huskies.
The only area in which Creighton might be able to exploit UConn is getting to the free-throw line. UConn ranks 341st in free-throw attempt percentage defensively, but Creighton ranks 258th in that metric on offense.
Arthur Kaluma and Trey Alexander each have over 40 free-throw attempts, so these two may make some charity stripe appearances. It should not be too often, though.
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Photo by CBB Analytics
Lastly, Creighton rebounds exceptionally well on defense, holding opponents to 22.5% of offensive rebounds.
UConn boasts a 35.2% offensive rebounding clip, though I expect the Bluejays to limit the Huskies' second scoring chances.
Connecticut Huskies
UConn is also a great defensive rebounding team and is holding opponents to 23.2% on the offensive glass. Creighton doesn't rebound well on offense (24.5%), so the Bluejays will rarely get second-chance opportunities.
Now, the Huskies also shoot a ton of 3s. They rank 40th in 3-point attempt percentage and shoot 35.4% from outside the perimeter.
Creighton doesn't perform as well with its perimeter defense. Opponents are shooting nearly 33% on the Bluejays, so UConn will have some more open looks from deep.
Otherwise, UConn primarily resorts to driving and getting fouled. Sanogo, Tristen Newton, Jordan Hawkins and Donovan Clingan all have at least 40 free-throw attempts.
Unfortunately for the Huskies, Creighton ranks first in free-throw attempt percentage on defense. The Bluejays rarely foul, so the Huskies will only get opportunities from deep.
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Photo by CBB Analytics
Creighton vs. UConn Betting Pick
Kalkbrenner, Sanogo and the other posts in this game should be able to defend one another, and watching these two battle should be a show.
Each team should take away offensive rebounds from the other and neither should make many trips to the free-throw line.
UConn will get some open 3-point looks, but that's about it on the offensive end. Even though these two teams typically run at a quicker pace, they should play a defensive game.
Take the under in this game from 141.5 to 140.
