The Xavier Musketeers will play the Creighton Bluejays in the Semifinals of the Big East Tournament on Friday night at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Xavier Preview
The Xavier Musketeers are 24-8 (15-5) this season after they defeated DePaul by a score of 89-84 in their last game. Xavier trailed by nine points at the half, but they were able to score 49 points in the second half for the victory. Xavier shot 49.2% from the field and made 9 three pointers in the win. The Musketeers recorded 28 rebounds and made 20 free throws in the game. The Xavier Musketeers are averaging 82.1 points per game, 74.5 points against per game, 37.5 rebounds per game, and 19.9 assists per game. Souley Boum has led the Musketeers this season with 16.8 points per game, 4.5 assists per game, and 4.2 rebounds per game. Xavier is shooting 50% from the field, 71.7% on free throws, and 39.8% on three pointers this year.
Creighton Preview
The Creighton Bluejays are 21-11 (14-6) this season after they defeated Villanova by a score of 87-74 in their last game. Creighton held Villanova to 23 points in the first half and they were able to score 55 points in the second half for the win. Creighton shot 50% from the field and made 12 three pointers in the game. The Bluejays recorded 36 rebounds and made 19 free throws in the win. The Creighton Bluejays are averaging 76.8 points per game, 67.9 points against per game, 37.5 rebounds per game, and 15.8 assists per game. Ryan Kalkbrenner has led the Bluejays this season with 15.1 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, and 1.3 assists per game. Creighton is shooting 46.9% from the field, 76% on free throws, and 35.8% on three pointers this year.
Pick
These two teams finished second and third in the Big East this season, with Xavier having a one game lead. Creighton has won three games in a row, but they have lost three of their last seven games. Xavier has won four games in a row, but they really struggled to beat a bad DePaul team on Thursday. Xavier has a very high scoring offense and they are shooting 50% from the field, but they also allow a ton of points. I am going to side with Creighton in this game, especially after how poorly Xavier played for most of their last game.
AUTHOR: David Racey
