The Jays will conclude a three-game homestand with a late-night showdown against Marquette. We break down the match-up below...
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: CenturyLink Center
TV: FSN
Radio: 1620 AM KOZN, 101.9 FM KOOO
Online: Fox Sports Go
Main storyline: Creighton true freshman Ty-Shon Alexander and Mitch Ballock have spent the last few weeks adjusting to the Big East. Can they make a late-season jump to help boost the Jays?
Marquette's standouts: G Markus Howard (the Big East's leading scorer at 21.9 ppg), G Andrew Rowsey (scored 34 at St. John's Saturday, his fifth 30-point game of the year), F Sam Hauser (the Big East's top 3-point shooter at 49.3 percent)
Marquette's resume: The Golden Eagles have wins at Providence and at Seton Hall. But with a 14-11 overall record, they'll need a strong finish to put themselves on the right side of the NCAA bubble.
CU player to watch: Senior Marcus Foster. He made just two of his 14 3-pointers in two games against Marquette last season. Creighton will need him at his best to keep pace with the potent Golden Eagles' offense Saturday.
Last time out: The Jays started slowly, but eventually dominated Division II Bemidji State in a 94-46 blowout win.
G A M E D A Y
— Creighton Men’s Basketball (@BluejayMBB) February 17, 2018
Creighton vs. Marquette#GoJays #LetItFly #BIGEASThoops#Timeout2vote #CoachGregMcDermott pic.twitter.com/tLT1j9Uw1m
This should be fun. It's two of the nation's top 20 offenses, according to Ken Pomeroy's efficiency ratings. Three of the league's top eight scorers will be on the floor. There are likely to be major momentum swings and thrilling offensive surges. Even an appropriately defended play could result in a bucket. We'll see which team can get the defensive stops when it matters most.
Three keys for Creighton:
1. MATCH THE URGENCY
The Golden Eagles are playing for their postseason life right now. They snapped a four-game losing streak by beating Seton Hall last week. They fell at St. John's seven days ago, though. They're now ranked 67th in the RPI -- with a 6-11 record against the Tier One and Tier Two teams. But they still have a shot at an NCAA berth. Three of their final five league games are against the bottom three teams. And they get two chances against Creighton.
So Marquette's likely to put forth its best effort Saturday. Because it's essentially in win-or-go-home territory. The Jays have to match that level of desperation, energy and intensity.
2. DEFEND THE 3
Marquette's the best 3-point shooting team in the Big East. So, this is easier said than done. Markus Howard, Andrew Rowsey and Sam Hauser will be the main focal points for CU's defense, for sure. Trouble is, they don't need much space and they appear to have unlimited range. The Jays will have to do their best to crowd them, keep a hand up and/or force them off the 3-point line.
In the Golden Eagles' 11 losses, they're shooting 35.6 percent from 3-point range. In their 14 wins? It's 44.6 percent. For a team that fires up nearly 27 3-pointers per night, that's an average difference of seven points per game. Creighton certainly wouldn't mind enjoying an extra three-possession cushion down the stretch.
3. ATTACK THE MISMATCHES
As torturous as Howard and Rowsey can be on offense, that duo is vulnerable defensively. Howard's listed at 5-foot-11. Rowsey, too. That means someone on the perimeter for Creighton will have a favorable match-up to exploit. There's a reason why Marquette is the league's worst defensive efficiency unit. (It's possible, with a week to prepare, that the Golden Eagles will have constructed a specialized defensive plan -- something CU hasn't seen yet. It'll be up to the Jays to adjust).
Still, Creighton has a length and height advantage in the backcourt. Whether that means firing in-rhythm jumpers over Howard/Rowsey or taking them down to the block, posting up and going to work. Marcus Foster and Khyri Thomas -- even the 6-foot-3 Davion Mintz -- have to be ready to make those talented scorers defend on the other end.
Prediction: Creighton 84, Marquette 72