Connecticut vs Creighton: Betting Odds, Picks, and Predictions (3/2/22)
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Connecticut vs Creighton Betting Odds
The Big East’s three and four seeds will meet in this intriguing Big East battle. Both teams have just one game left in the regular season before seeding for the conference tournament is finalized.
The Huskies have now won five straight, including a close home victory over Villanova. UConn is quickly surging up bracketologist’s boards across the country and now stands at 12-5 in Big East play.
Meanwhile, Creighton is in a tricky spot. The Bluejays suffered a brutal road loss to Providence last Saturday and lost its starting point guard – Ryan Nembhard – in a win over St. John’s last Wednesday.
Creighton is still on the bubble, but many believe the Bluejays have earned an at-large.
So, which team has the edge in Omaha on Wednesday?
Connecticut Huskies Odds
The Huskies are getting hot at just the right time.
With a win Wednesday, UConn just needs to beat DePaul at home on Saturday to take an eight-game win streak into the Big East conference tournament.
Like the Huskies have all season, the Huskies have done it with defense and offensive rebounding.
UConn has recorded an offensive rebounding percentage over 40% three times during the win streak, only it only fell below 30% in that category in one game (Villanova). Meanwhile, the Huskies have recorded a defensive efficiency mark under 100 in five of the six wins.
RJ Cole has been the most consistent offensive force in UConn’s lineup. He’s scored at least 14 points in every game of the win streak.
🚨 RJ COLE IS A BAD BAD MAN 🚨
The @UConnMBB guard @rjuice_ drives to the rim to regain the lead with 5 seconds to go! pic.twitter.com/oHiCdPIWGz
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 23, 2022
Connecticut Huskies Projected Starting Lineup
- RJ Cole
- Andre Jackson
- Tyrese Martin
- Isaiah Whaley
- Adama Sanogo
Creighton Bluejays Odds
I like this Creighton team.
The Bluejays are young and filled with talent. It’s tough to have Ryan Nembhard go down with his wrist injury, but he needs more time to develop anyway, and the offense can now run through the two Ryan’s – Kalkbrenner and Hawkins.
Meanwhile, the defense is the best in the Big East by far. The Bluejays pace the conference in defensive efficiency, effective field goal percentage allowed, free-throw rate allowed, and 2-point percentage allowed.
However, despite having all the pieces and sporting an 11-6 conference record, it just feels like this team is falling short.
Creighton is inconsistent – which is fine considering how young the team is – but Greg McDermott should be able to make all these pieces fit better.
Creighton has probably done enough to earn an at-large bid. However, another big-time Quad 1 win wouldn’t hurt.
Creighton Bluejays Projected Starting Lineup
1. Arthur Kaluma
2. Tray Alexander
3. Alex O’Connell
4. Ryan Hawkins
5. Ryan Kalkbrenner
Connecticut vs Creighton Prediction and Pick
I will always bet Creighton as a home dog.
Behind this defense and a frontcourt that can battle with UConn’s, I’m fully expecting the Bluejays to keep this game within six – especially given the situation.
Connecticut is due for a loss, and the Huskies probably should’ve lost against Villanova. However, this win streak has inflated the Huskie stock.
Meanwhile, Creighton looked helpless in the loss to Providence. This could set up for a perfect buy-low spot on the Bluejays, as I bet the public have written Creighton off following the Nembhard injury.
This is also going to be a Rock Fight. Neither team broke 60 in the last two matchups, and I’ll happily grab the points in a game like this.
