Creighton Bluejays (12-8) vs Xavier Musketeers (17-4)
Game Info: Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 12:15 pm (CHI Health Center Omaha)
Betting Odds: Creighton Bluejays -4 -- Over/Under: 156.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Xavier Musketeers will fly to Omaha and meet the Creighton Bluejays in Big East play from the CHI Health Center on CBS. Xavier leads the all-time series, 14-13, after winning four meetings in a row, including a matchup in Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago.
Xavier jumped to 17-4 after beating UConn in Storrs. The Musketeers jumped out to a big halftime lead, and held off a fierce rally from the Huskies to walk away with the three-point victory. Xavier is scoring 84.1 points per game, while allowing 75.5 ppg, and shooting 50.3% from the field.
Xavier got a big time road win over UConn last time out, and they can close Week 12 of the college basketball season on a stronger note with a win over Creighton here. Xavier sits at the top of the Big East at 9-1 currently. The Musketeers carry a diverse lineup that features five double digit scorers, led by UTEP transfer Souley Boum. The 6’3 guard went for a game-high 26 points in the first victory over Creighton, and after hitting five threes in the win over UConn, he’s up to 16.8 ppg. Colby Jones scored 20 points against the Huskies, and he’s posting a nice line of 14.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and a team-lead 5.1 apg. Jack Nunge (14.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and Zach Freemantle (15.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg) give Xavier an effective size advantage each time out, and the latter recorded a 30-point double-double versus Georgetown.
Creighton moved to 12-8 after beating St. John’s at home. The Bluejays put together their high offensive output of the season, scoring 104 points, while holding the Red Storm to just 76. Creighton is scoring 77.7 ppg, while allowing 68.3 ppg, and shooting 47.2% from the field.
Creighton responded to a six-game skid in the Fall, by winning six of their next eight conference games, and they’re very much alive in the Big East picture. Creighton beat Providence at home during this stretch, but a win over Xavier would be big here for the team’s confidence going into February. Ryan Kalkbrenner’s return saved Creighton’s season, and the 7’1 center leads the team (15.1), while grabbing 6.9 rpg. SDSU transfer Baylor Scheierman scored 25 points in the first meeting with the Musketeers, and after double-doubling in the win over St. John’s, he’s averaging 13.5 ppg and a team-lead 8.6 rpg. Arthur Kaluma (12.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg) joins them up front, while sophomore guards Ryan Nembhard (11.5 ppg, 5.3 apg) and Trey Alexander (13.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) round out the starting lineup.
Xavier is 12-8-1 against the spread this season, with a 15-5-1 over/under record. Creighton is 10-10 ATS this year, with a 9-10-1 o/u record.
Xavier and Creighton have come over and brought new life to the Big East, and this should be a very good game. Trusting Xavier versus UConn was a great call, and I personally think they can come through as road underdogs again. The Musketeers are the best team in the Big East to me. No school in the conference possesses the inside-outside diversity the Musketeers do, and they have a real chance to win every time out. The Bluejays biggest advantage is their size, and Xavier has the length to combat that. I’ll respect Creighton’s recent stretch of play, and spot Xavier the points versus taking the moneyline for this Big East battle.
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Corey’s Pick Xavier +4
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
