The Creighton Bluejays will face off against the UConn Huskies in an exciting Big East Tournament semifinal at Madison Square Garden. Here’s an overview and prediction for the game.
Recent Matchup History
Creighton and UConn split their regular-season meetings, with the visiting team winning both times. Creighton claimed a 68-63 victory at UConn on January 18, 2025, while UConn secured a 70-66 win in Creighton on February 11, 2025.
Creighton Bluejays Recap
Creighton enters this game on the back of an 85-81 win over DePaul, which secured their place in the semifinals. Ryan Kalkbrenner has been dominant for the Bluejays, averaging 19.8 points and 9 rebounds per game. Steven Ashworth adds 16.5 points and leads the team with 7 assists. Jamiya Neal also contributes 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. As a team, Creighton is averaging 75.7 points per game with solid shooting percentages across the board.
Why Creighton Could Win:
- The Bluejays have won 14 of their last 16 games against unranked teams.
- UConn has struggled in recent neutral-site games, losing three of their last four against non-ranked opponents.
UConn Huskies Recap
UConn is coming off a strong 73-56 win over Villanova, advancing to the semifinals. Solo Ball leads the Huskies with 14.7 points per game, while Alex Karaban adds 14.6 points and 5.4 rebounds. Liam McNeeley contributes 14.5 points and 6.2 rebounds, and Tarris Reed Jr. provides a team-high 7.3 rebounds per game. UConn boasts a potent offense, averaging 77.9 points per game, shooting 48.2% from the field.
Why UConn Could Win:
- The Huskies have won 10 straight games at Madison Square Garden against unranked teams.
- Creighton has lost four of its last five games at Madison Square Garden.
Key Betting Trends
- Creighton’s last 12 neutral-site night games have gone over 141 total points.
- UConn’s last four games against conference opponents have totaled 138 or fewer points.
Prediction
I’m picking UConn in this matchup. While Creighton showed resilience in their win over DePaul, they exerted a lot of energy to come from behind in that game. UConn, with its more balanced and powerful roster, is likely to take advantage of Creighton’s fatigue. I expect UConn to cover the spread and move forward to the final.