From now until Selection Sunday, WBR will provide you with a quick glance at everything you need to know about Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball.
Xavier 75, #9 Creighton 69
Saturday’s 75-69 loss to Xavier was tough to watch. Partially because of Creighton’s struggles, particularly in the backcourt. But partially because of the gruesome injury suffered by Isaiah Zierden in the first half. His knee bent in a way that no human’s leg should go; an MRI is scheduled for when the team arrives in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, it didn’t take a doctor to diagnose Creighton’s problems in a 6-point loss in Cincinnati. Doug McDermott scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but he didn’t get much help on offense. Guards Austin Chatman (1-9), Jahenns Manigat (1-7), Grant Gibbs (3-5), and Devin Brooks (1-2) went a combined 6-23 from the field.
As a team the Jays shot just 39%, their worst performance from the field since a loss to George Washington on December 1 (34%). Meanwhile Xavier shot 50% from the floor and a shocking 56% from three-point range. Both performances are the best by a Creighton opponent this season.
Creighton, by the Computers
- #7 NCAA Official RPI
- #8 Warren Nolan RPI (-2 from 02/28)
- #7 KenPom (-2 from 02/28)
- #11 ESPN BPI (-1 from 02/28)
Bracketing the Bluejays
- #2 via Tim Krueger’s Bracket
- #2 (2.29 average) via Bracket Matrix
The Race for the Prize
Creighton 13-3 Big East
- Remaining games @ Georgetown (7-9), vs. Providence (9-7)
Villanova 13-2 Big East
- Remaining games vs. Marquette (9-6), @ Xavier (10-6), vs. Georgetown (7-9)
The Wildcats got the Creighton loss they needed Saturday as the Jays dropped a roadie at Xavier. Villanova can move a full game ahead of CU with two to play if Jay Wright’s team can hold serve at home today against Marquette (CBS, 1:00 p.m. CT).
CU Stat o’ the Day
Nine.
That’s the number of ranked teams — including Creighton — that lost road games to lower ranked or unranked teams Saturday. Syracuse, Kansas, Louisville, CU, Saint Louis, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kentucky, and Texas all dropped games away from home. Heck, even Michigan State lost at the Breslin Center to an unranked Illinois squad.
What to Watch Today
Marquette @ Villanova (1:00 p.m. CT, CBS)
C’mon Golden Eagles! Jays fans will be rooting hard for Marquette to upset Nova in Philadelphia. The Wildcats beat MU 94-85 on January 25, a few days after Creighton decimated VU in front of a stunned crowd inside the Wells Fargo Center. James Bell scored 30 and Darrun Hilliard and Ryan Arcidiacono both added 20 as Villanova got back on the winning track. They’ve only lost once more since — another L against the Bluejays.
Today in Bluejays Basketball History
March 2, 2013 — Creighton 91, Wichita State 79
Doug McDermott scored 41 points to lead Creighton to its first outright Missouri Valley Conference championship since 2001. With rumors swirling about the possibility that the Bluejays were playing their final regular season game as a member of the MVC, McDermott carried the Jays to a win against the rival Shockers in front of a raucous, sold-out CenturyLink Center crowd.
Creighton Hoops Photo of the Day
Doug McDermott scored 27 points in the road loss to Xavier. He scored 35 points in a home win against XU in the teams’ first meeting (WBR/Mike Spomer)