Villanova Wildcats vs. Creighton Bluejays Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2024

Preview and Prediction

Villanova may be finding its groove at a favorable moment.

The Wildcats will take on Creighton in their first road game of the Big East Conference on Saturday afternoon in Omaha, Nebraska, riding a five-game winning streak.

In their last three games, Villanova (8-4, 1-0) has been efficient on offense, shooting over 55 percent from the field.

Coach Kyle Neptune attributes this success to the team's unselfishness and trust in each other.

Eric Dixon, who is currently tied for first in the country with 25.7 points per game, has historically performed well against Creighton, averaging 28.5 points per game last season and 19.5 points per game in eight career matchups.

In Tuesday's 79-67 win against Seton Hall, Dixon scored 25 points while guard Tyler Perkins added 17 points off the bench.

Neptune praised Perkins for his defensive efforts and energy, noting that he is also a reliable scorer for the team.

Creighton (7-5, 0-1) has struggled in the first half of their losses this season, but boasts a 6-1 home record, including a win against then-No. 1 Kansas. However, they will be looking to bounce back from a tough 81-57 loss to Georgetown in their Big East opener.

According to Creighton coach Greg McDermott, the team will need to adjust to opponents' defensive strategies in order to be successful in the Big East.

Ryan Kalkbrenner, the Big East Preseason Player of the Year, and Steven Ashworth lead the Bluejays in scoring with 16.7 points per game each.

Ashworth currently holds the longest active streak of consecutive games with at least one 3-point basket in the Big East, with 30 games.

Villanova has utilized different zone defenses this season, which may be a key strategy in their matchup against Creighton.

Neptune explains that this approach forces opponents into difficult shots and limits their scoring opportunities.

The teams split their two games last season, with each game being decided by just two points. Villanova's victory came in overtime.

This will be the third time in four seasons that Villanova will face Creighton in a pre-Christmas matchup on the road. The teams have split the previous two encounters.

Overall, Villanova holds a 19-9 record against Creighton, but has a slightly less successful record of 6-5 when playing at Creighton.

PREDICTION

Villanova Wildcats

Creighton Bluejays

Villanova Wildcats vs. Creighton Bluejays Recap MAR 9TH 2023

Ryan Kalkbrenner scored a game-high 21 points Thursday night for No. 24 Creighton, which never trailed in an 87-74 win over Villanova in a Big East tournament quarterfinal game in New York.

Baylor Scheierman posted a double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds) while Arthur Kaluma had 18 points for third seed Creighton (21-11), which will face No. 15 Xavier in the second semifinal Friday night.

Ryan Nembhard (17 points) and Trey Alexander (13 points) also got into double figures for the Bluejays, who shot 48 percent (12-of-25) from 3-point land after shooting just 19.2 percent (5-of-26) in a 79-67 loss to Villanova on Feb. 25.

Eric Dixon scored 20 points while Brandon Slater and Caleb Daniels had 17 points each and Justin Moore added 13 points for sixth seed Villanova (17-16), whose streak of nine straight NCAA Tournament appearances is all but certain to end.

The Wildcats shot 41.9 percent (26-of-62) from the field after shooting 50 percent (27-of-54) in the win over Creighton on Feb. 25.

A layup by Cam Whitmore pulled Villanova within 7-6 before Creighton scored eight straight points to begin an 11-1 run that extended the lead to 18-7 with 11:30 left in the first half. Alexander hit a trio of 3-pointers during the spurt. The Bluejays maintained a lead of between five and 12 points the rest of the way before carrying a 32-23 lead into the locker room.

Scheierman converted a 4-point play to start a personal 9-0 run that extended the lead to 46-28 with 14:39 remaining. Creighton opened its biggest lead at 65-45 with 6:37 left before Dixon hit 3-pointers to bookend an 11-0 run for Villanova that cut the deficit to single digits with 4:44 remaining. Kamula then hit a 3-pointer for the Bluejays.

Villanova got within nine points once more on an old-fashioned 3-point play by Dixon with 3:36 left, but Kalkbrenner answered with his own 3-point play on the next possession and Creighton led by at least 11 the rest of the way.