There are a couple of big college basketball games set to take place on Friday night, including an interesting matchup in the Big East Conference. The Butler Bulldogs are set to visit the Creighton Bluejays and this game will have a big impact on the standings in that league.
The Butler Bulldogs are coming into this game with an overall record of 14-7, and they are currently right in the middle of the conference standings. Butler has rattled off three straight wins, and that should at least give them some momentum and confidence for this game.
The Creighton Bluejays have also won three straight games, but they have been a tough team to figure out this season. Creighton has an overall record of 16-5, but they haven’t been able to really take off as a team.
Creighton is coming into this game as a 9.5-point betting favorite, and their terrific play on their home floor has impacted those odds.
Bulldogs Have to Defend
The Butler Bulldogs are going to have to find a way to be better on defense if they are going to make a run at the NCAA Tournament. Butler is allowing over 72 points per game this season, and they have really struggled against the top teams in this league.
The Bulldogs are coming off two straight games with at least 88 points, and that explosive offense has made up for the lack of defense at times. Butler has been a streaky offensive team though, and it’s going to take a consistent effort to win this game.
Guard Pierre Brooks is having a big season for Butler as he is leading the way with 16.6 points per game so far this season.
Shooting a Strength For Creighton
The Creighton Bluejays want to push the tempo on offense, and they do a great job of spreading the floor. Creighton has been a nightmare for teams to defend because they have shooters all over the court and they share the ball extremely well.
Baylor Scheierman is leading the team with 17.8 points per game this season, and he will need to set the tone in this game. Creighton can’t afford to just settle for jump shots though as they will need to attack the paint.
There have been some defensive concerns for Creighton as well, but the overall numbers show that they are allowing just 67 points per game.
Bluejays Beat Up on Butler
There is a chance that Butler will be able to keep this game competitive for a half, but that’s about all you can really expect from this team. Butler has been a great offensive team this season, but getting stops on defense has been a concern at times.
Creighton just has so many weapons on offense, and eventually one of those weapons is going to step up and take control of this game. The Bluejays will get a boost from their home crowd as well, and they can spread it out in the second half.
Bet on the Creighton Bluejays to win this game by at least 10 points as they will cover the spread and pick up another huge conference win.
