Creighton lost plenty of talent over the offseason, including star center Ryan Kalkbrenner. However, the 23rd-ranked Blue Jays enter the year with plenty of hype. A busy summer in the transfer portal, along with solid returning players, has fans feeling optimistic.
The first test for the program will be a date with South Dakota. On Monday, the Coyotes dropped their first game of the season, an 81-79 overtime loss to Utah Tech. Can they bounce back against one of the Big East’s best?
Creighton enters this contest as 29.5-point favorites (-112) over South Dakota. The total is set at 168.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here’s a college basketball pick, preview and prediction for Wednesday’s game between the Coyotes and the Blue Jays.
South Dakota vs. Creighton prediction, preview
As previously mentioned, the Blue Jays made moves during the offseason. Former Iowa hoopers Josh Dix and Owen Freeman joined the club this summer. The former is a knockdown shooter, hitting 42% of his three-pointers over three seasons with the Hawkeyes. That could spell trouble for opposing defenses, as Creighton is already loaded with floor-spacers.
Jackson McAndrew impressed as a freshman, especially in March. Expect the now-sophomore to improve on his 39.5% shooting during the upcoming campaign. Isaac Traudt and Jasen Green are also back, giving Creighton much-needed depth at forward. Howard transfer Blake Harper lead the MEAC in scoring last year (19.5 PPG), while guard Nik Graves was a menace at Charlotte (17.3 PPG).
This team’s ceiling will likely be determined by Freeman, one of the Big Ten’s best centers last season. Through 19 games, the big man averaged 16.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while shooting 64% from the field. Iowa’s season was essentially over when he suffered a season-ending hand injury in February. Now, as a Blue Jay, the junior will look to lead his squad to a sixth-consecutive NCAA Tournament berth.
On the other side, South Dakota enters this contest as major underdogs. Last season’s leading scorer, Chase Forte, is now at Boston College. That leaves Isaac Bruns as the team’s top option on offense. The guard dropped 23 points, albeit on 8-of-24 shooting (33%), against Utah Tech. Only one other Coyotes player, Evan Anderson, scored double-digit points.
South Dakota went 19-14 last season, finishing fifth in the Summit League. However, the team had major issues stopping their opponents, ranking 339th out of 364 schools in defensive rating (112.1). Four of their leading scorers are not a member of this year’s squad.
South Dakota vs. Creighton pick, best bet
If you had to play Creighton, this is the perfect time. With so many moving parts in Omaha, there will likely be an adjustment period. Still, the same can be said of the far less talented Coyotes tonight. In a battle between two teams with brand-new rosters, I’d rather back the more experienced group playing at home. Expect a second-half blowout for the Blue Jays on Wednesday.
