{"id":3267,"date":"2022-03-14T14:48:41","date_gmt":"2022-03-14T14:48:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whiteandbluereview.com\/dev\/?p=3267"},"modified":"2022-07-08T14:53:26","modified_gmt":"2022-07-08T14:53:26","slug":"pregame-primer-creighton-squares-off-with-san-diego-state-in-first-round-of-ncaa-tournament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whiteandbluereview.com\/dev\/pregame-primer-creighton-squares-off-with-san-diego-state-in-first-round-of-ncaa-tournament\/","title":{"rendered":"Pregame Primer: Creighton Squares Off with San Diego State in First Round of NCAA Tournament"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Ten years ago this March, <a href=\"https:\/\/whiteandbluereview.com\/postgame-jays-win-jays-win\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">eighth-seeded Creighton beat ninth-seeded Alabama 58-57 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament<\/a>. That 56-possession rock fight, clinched when Josh Jones locked down Alabama\u2019s Trevor Releford on the final possession and forced him to take an off-balance shot at the buzzer, was about as stressful as March Madness gets.<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Creighton Bluejays vs Alabama Crimson Tide (03-16-2012)\" width=\"1140\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nxB8JFjcGU8?start=390&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>I\u2019ve been thinking a lot about that game this week, because Creighton\u2019s opening matchup of the 2022 NCAA Tournament has a lot of similarities. The Crimson Tide had the sixth-best adjusted defensive efficiency in the country entering that game, but were average offensively; San Diego State comes into Thursday\u2019s matchup ranked second in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency but is below average offensively. Most pundits see this as a low-possession, high-intensity battle decided in the final minute.<\/p>\n<p>San Diego State enters the tournament winners of 11 of their last 14 games, and the three losses came by a combined three points to fellow NCAA Tournament teams \u2014 one-point road losses to Colorado State and Boise State by identical 58-57 scores, and a 53-52 loss to Boise State in the Mountain West title game.<\/p>\n<p>At the top of the scouting report is senior Matt Bradley, a graduate transfer from Cal who is their only player to average in double figures at 17.0 points per game. Bradley is lethal from just about anywhere; he\u2019s made 41.4% of his threes (57-of-137), 39.8% on midrange jumpers, and 56.1% on shots at the rim. He has great size for a guard at 6\u20194\u201d and 220 pounds, making him hard to stop in the paint when he gets a head of steam rolling; who the Jays defend Bradley will be interesting. Do they stick Trey Alexander on him, who is a bit better on-ball defender but gives up 35 pounds to him? Or go with Alex O\u2019Connell, who is taller and longer and a better perimeter defender, but not as good at stopping the dribble?<\/p>\n<p>Whoever draws the assignment will face a guard with a lot of tools in his arsensel:<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-container\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">His name is Matt Bradley and he gets buckets\ud83d\ude24<\/p>\n<p>Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CBS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@CBS<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/bradley_matty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@bradley_matty<\/a> x <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoAztecs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GoAztecs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/2YvTCS4Qbv\">pic.twitter.com\/2YvTCS4Qbv<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; San Diego State Men&#39;s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Aztec_MBB\/status\/1502815848104300544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 13, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-container\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83c\udff9\ud83c\udff9\ud83c\udff9<\/p>\n<p>Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CBS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@CBS<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/bradley_matty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@bradley_matty<\/a> x <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoAztecs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GoAztecs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/AEo0ki2wAY\">pic.twitter.com\/AEo0ki2wAY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; San Diego State Men&#39;s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Aztec_MBB\/status\/1502804532320878596?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 13, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-container\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">His name is Matt Bradley and he gets buckets.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/bradley_matty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@bradley_matty<\/a> x <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoAztecs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GoAztecs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xwBDyfK7nB\">pic.twitter.com\/xwBDyfK7nB<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; San Diego State Men&#39;s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Aztec_MBB\/status\/1502542715208146947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 12, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<p>Bradley struggled in the MWC Tournament last weekend, leaving some to wonder how much is left in the gas tank for a warrior who\u2019s been tasked with such a heavy offensive burden all season. In the first two games, he shot just 4-of-14, scored 12 combined points, and had nine turnovers. Against Boise State in the title game, he had 17 points but needed 17 shots to get there (4-of-13 on twos and 2-of-4 on threes). It\u2019s probable that a senior who is finally in his first NCAA Tournament finds another gear and renders last weekend\u2019s struggles a moot point. It\u2019s also possible he\u2019s worn down and will struggle against a physical defense. It\u2019s absolutely worth watching closely, because he\u2019s by far their biggest offensive threat.<\/p>\n<p>Senior forward Nathan Mensah is the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year after blocking 2.2 shots per game (and altering or changing numerous others). He averages 7.3 points and a team-leading 7.1 rebounds per contest. Interestingly, his 190 shot attempts have been split nearly even between shots at the rim (91) and midrange jumpers (95) \u2014 interesting because he\u2019s really, really good at the former (62.9%) and below average at the latter (35.8%).<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-container\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Caught a body\ud83d\ude32<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/_NathanMensah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@_nathanmensah<\/a> x <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoAztecs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GoAztecs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vE5CvGGsrA\">pic.twitter.com\/vE5CvGGsrA<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; San Diego State Men&#39;s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Aztec_MBB\/status\/1502524992109514752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 12, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-container\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Nathan Mensah open the championship with a \ud83d\udca5 BANG \ud83d\udca5<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MWMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#MWMadness<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoAztecs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GoAztecs<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Aztec_MBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Aztec_MBB<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7gDXmPdxlV\">pic.twitter.com\/7gDXmPdxlV<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Mountain West (@MountainWest) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MountainWest\/status\/1502784480666218496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 12, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<p>Point guard Trey Pulliam averages 8.5 points per game and tops the Aztecs with 103 assists. More a distributor than scorer, Pulliam is a decent shooter inside the arc, primarily on pull-up jumpers. He doesn\u2019t get to or finish at the rim well, and doesn\u2019t shoot the three particularly well, either. But he\u2019s expert at setting up Bradley all over the floor and Mensah in the paint.<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-container\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Chefs kiss \ud83e\udd0c<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/t_pull1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@t_pull1<\/a> x <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoAztecs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GoAztecs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/kPUbq8WeWy\">pic.twitter.com\/kPUbq8WeWy<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; San Diego State Men&#39;s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Aztec_MBB\/status\/1502531663053479936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 12, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-container\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">TPF sighting!!! <\/p>\n<p>Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CBS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@CBS<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/t_pull1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@t_pull1<\/a> x <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoAztecs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GoAztecs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3LyhSct4yr\">pic.twitter.com\/3LyhSct4yr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; San Diego State Men&#39;s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Aztec_MBB\/status\/1502791481072898050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 12, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<p>Creighton\u2019s defense revolves around their guards running over nearly every screen, funneling the dribble toward Kalkbrenner where he blocks or alters shots better than almost anyone. Combined with their drop coverage, it encourages opponents to take short\/medium jumpers rather than challenge them at the rim.<\/p>\n<p>Those are the shots SDSU\u2019s top scorers love to take. 42.1% of Bradley\u2019s total shot attempts have been two-point jumpers. 50.0% of Mensah\u2019s shots have been from there, and 56.1% of Pulliam\u2019s have been two-point jumpers. Assuming they struggle to score at the rim \u2014 both because they\u2019ve struggled to do so over the course of the season, and because they\u2019re facing an elite rim protector in this game \u2014 whether they knock down midrange jumpers or not could be a deciding factor in the game<\/p>\n<p>But their offense isn\u2019t where they win or lose games. SDSU\u2019s defense gets the headlines, and for good reason. With an adjusted defensive efficiency of 86.1, they are a full six points better than Creighton who had the best mark in the Big East at 92.1.<\/p>\n<p>SDSU\u2019s opponents have played the slowest pace in D1, at 19.2 seconds per possession, for all the reasons you\u2019d suspect \u2014 the Aztecs keep opponents from running in the open floor by cleaning up on the offensive glass and limiting turnovers, and then in the half court, their length and athleticism take away your first (and second, and often third) options. Opponents often get impatient, and try to force things by taking ill-advised shots, making risky passes, or dribbling into traffic, which compounds the problem. SDSU\u2019s opponents have had a turnover on 21.7% of their possessions, 29th most in D1, and have had the ball stolen away on 11.4% of possessions, 43rd most.<\/p>\n<p>There aren\u2019t many, if any, holes in their defense. They block 14.4% of opponents shots, a big reason they allow teams to shoot just 43.1% on two-pointers (sixth-best in D1 and well below the D1 average of 49.7%). Because of the difficulty scoring in the paint and at the rim, opponents resort to shooting lots of threes; nearly 40% of opponent\u2019s shot attempts have come from behind the arc (well above the D1 average), where they shoot just 30.4% (33rd worst and also well below the D1 average of 33.7%).<\/p>\n<p>One of the biggest reasons the Aztecs are so efficient defensively on the perimeter is because they have the ability to switch almost every screen without worrying about mismatches. Against most teams, that\u2019s served them well. Against Creighton, switching screens in the paint will allow the Jays to exploit Ryan Kalkbrenner against smaller defenders \u2014 and against someone other than SDSU\u2019s great post player, Nathan Mensah. They faced a seven-footer 12 times this season, and in those games, the opposing big man shot 50.5% on two-pointers \u2014 remember, opponents have made just 43.1% of their two-pointers overall. Getting touches at the rim for Kalkbrenner early, often, and then doing it again is one of CU\u2019s biggest keys to victory. He had 15 second-half points against Villanova on Saturday; he\u2019s scored 12 or more points in 11 straight games.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ten years ago this March, eighth-seeded Creighton beat ninth-seeded Alabama 58-57 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. That 56-possession rock fight, clinched when Josh Jones locked down Alabama\u2019s Trevor Releford on the final&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3269,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[90],"class_list":{"0":"post-3267","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mens-basketball","8":"tag-jays-vs-san-diego-state-03-17-2022"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whiteandbluereview.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3267","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whiteandbluereview.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whiteandbluereview.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whiteandbluereview.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whiteandbluereview.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3267"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/whiteandbluereview.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3267\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3270,"href":"https:\/\/whiteandbluereview.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3267\/revisions\/3270"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whiteandbluereview.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whiteandbluereview.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3267"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whiteandbluereview.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3267"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whiteandbluereview.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3267"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}