The Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Creighton Bluejays in Omaha, NE. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on FS1.
Creighton is favored by 10 points on the spread with a moneyline of -575. The total is set at 151.5
Here’s my Nebraska vs. Creighton predictions and college basketball picks for November 22, 2024.
Nebraska vs Creighton Prediction
My Pick: Nebraska +11
My Nebraska vs Creighton best bet is on the Cornhuskers spread, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Nebraska vs Creighton Odds, Spread, Pick
| Nebraska Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Total Points | Moneyline |
+10 -110 | 151.5 -110o / -110u | +425 |
| Creighton Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Total Points | Moneyline |
-10 -110 | 151.5 -110o / -110u | -575 |
- Nebraska vs Creighton spread: Creighton -10
- Nebraska vs Creighton over/under: 151.5 points
- Nebraska vs Creighton moneyline: Creighton -575, Nebraska +425
- Nebraska vs Creighton best bet: Nebraska +11
My Nebraska vs Creighton College Basketball Betting Preview
The Nebraska–Creighton rivalry needs a catchy nickname reminiscent of the Cy-Hawk for Iowa–Iowa State. I’m proposing the “Corn Bowl” or “Hate on I-80," but I am open to any feedback/suggestions.
Anyways, Nebraska enters this massive contest off a disappointing loss to Saint Mary’s in Sioux Falls, SD. The Cornhuskers struggled with turnovers, coughing it up 15 times, and they surrendered a whopping 17 offensive rebounds.
Plus, 3-point shooting splits were not in the Huskers’ favor: they shot 5-of-17 from deep, while the Gaels buried 11-of-23 triples.
Saint Mary's actually functions as a solid prep for Creighton. Both teams play heavy drop coverage against ball screens, instead trying to take away catch-and-shoot triples. That means Nebraska’s primary ball handlers – Brice Williams, Rollie Worster, Ahron Ulis – will have opportunities in the mid-range.
The overall wing versatility of Nebraska’s roster is its greatest strength. Williams is a rangy 6-foot-7 guard who is often the Huskers’ primary threat off the bounce, and Juwan Gary is a multi-positional straight-jacket on the defensive end.
Worster is a jumbo guard at 6-foot-5 210 pounds, and even bench shooters Connor Essegian and Gavin Griffiths have solid size. Only Sam Hoiberg, son of coach Fred Hoiberg, is actually small in the rotation, and he makes up for it with a maniacal work ethic and outstanding defensive instincts.
Nebraska’s defense is probably better than it looked against Saint Mary’s; few teams eat on the glass the way the Gaels do. But the Huskers’ interior is a little soft.
They need more resolute presence and production from the three-headed center rotation of Andrew Morgan, Braxton Meah and Berke Buyuktuncel.
Creighton Basketball
While Nebraska really tested itself against the Gaels, Creighton has been fat and happy sitting at home. True, the Bluejays got tested by a game against UT Rio Grande Valley, but the other three buy games at the CHI Health Center were blowouts.
A heated rivalry contest represents a significant step up in competition – and a bellwether before Creighton ships out to Vegas for the Players Era Festival.
Unsurprisingly, fifth-year center Ryan Kalkbrenner has been the heartbeat of the team. He has dominated the rim at both ends, helping Creighton rank second nationally in 2-point percentage offense and sixth in 2-point percentage defense.
He is shooting an outrageous 41-of-46 (89%) from the floor, finally serving as a true offensive hub after being more of a finisher on that end in the past. His rim protection needs no introduction.
His supporting cast might, though. Coach Doug McDermott is still getting his perimeter pieces in line: outside of Steven Ashworth, the Bluejays are a bit of a mystery box. McDermott is an offensive mastermind, but shot-making helps any offense, and Creighton is still seeking more of that.
So far, Pop Isaacs, a transfer from Texas Tech, has resumed his inefficient jump shooting from his days in Lubbock.
Arizona State import Jamiya Neal has been better, but he must prove he can sustain his level of production for a winning team.
And heralded freshman Jackson McAndrew – a 6-foot-10 stretch forward known for his sweet stroke – is just 4-of-17 (23.5%) from beyond the arc.
As mentioned, Creighton is all drop coverage on defense, doing everything in its power to keep Kalkbrenner near the bucket.
That approach can be hurt by big men who can shoot; UTRGV’s three frontcourt players knocked down seven triples, helping the Vaqueros stay close.
That is less of a risk against Nebraska’s frontline.
Nebraska vs Creighton Betting Analysis
One wild card with this handicap is the home court value. The CHI Health Center is going to be bursting with energy and noise, buoying the home Bluejays at every turn. Nebraska may have played a quality opponent in SMC, but this is still the new-look Huskers' first true road game.
Interestingly, though, the road team has won by 29 (!), 10 and eight in the last three meetings between the two.
Before that, the home team won by 24, 19 and 19 from 2018-2020.
Both teams have some matchup edges here. Creighton’s Kalkbrenner will control the paint on both ends against the weaker Nebraska frontcourt, but the Huskers have playmakers in the mid-range.
Plus, Creighton rarely forces turnovers, easing that bugaboo for Nebraska from the Saint Mary's game.
All in all, this spread is just a bit too high for me. I think Nebraska can hang around in the Corn Bowl (name pending), helping the Huskers nab a cover.
I would bet this down to Nebraska +8.
