UConn and Creighton face off for the second time this season after the Huskies demolished their Big East rival in the first matchup. The Huskies have been terrific all season, winning 24 of 26 games, with losses to No. 4 Arizona and No. 22 St. John’s. This resume includes victories over ranked teams such as Kansas, Florida, BYU, Illinois and Seton Hall.
Creighton, on the other hand, has lost all three of its ranked matchups this season (Iowa State, Gonzaga and UConn). Another round with the Huskies will be a challenge, especially on the road.
The Bluejays are 15.5-point underdogs on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at 142.5 points.
Here’s my prediction, preview and pick for Wednesday’s Creighton vs. UConn matchup.
Creighton vs. UConn prediction, preview
These two Big East squads are familiar with each other, which could play a role in the outcome of this matchup. It makes game planning much simpler when you’ve seen the team before. Additionally, teams have more to play for in rivalry/conference games.
None of these aspects should factor into this matchup, however. UConn and Creighton have already played once this year with UConn winning 85-58 on the road. This round is in Storrs, Connecticut, so it should be an even greater challenge for the Bluejays.
The Huskies got a team-wide effort in that matchup as Alex Karaban, Braylon Mullins, Solo Ball and Silas Demary Jr. all scored in double figures. Meanwhile, the Bluejays had just two players with double-digit points and a starter shoot 0-of-6 from the field in 29 minutes.
UConn held Creighton to 41% from the field and 24% from distance, while shooting 54% and 52%, respectively. It’s hard to imagine the Huskies shooting that well again considering they average 49% from the field and 36.8% from three. That being said, the defense is replicable. UConn allows the fifth fewest field goals made and sixth fewest three-pointers made per game, while limiting opponents to 40% from the field (20th lowest) and 29.7% from three (16th lowest).
With a home crowd behind them, the Huskies should dominate once again.
Creighton vs. UConn pick, best bet
A 15.5-point spread is a chunky line, but it’s reasonable for this matchup. The last time these two teams met, UConn won by 27 points on the road.
Sometimes the rematch is closer because the teams have seen each other already, and it can lead to better game planning. That won’t be the case here as UConn has home-court advantage and is on track to be a No. 1 seed in March Madness.