OMAHA, Neb. — As the college basketball season nears its conference tournament phase, the Creighton Bluejays will look to even their series against the DePaul Blue Demons tonight at CHI Health Center Omaha. The Bluejays, currently 14-14 overall and 8-9 in Big East play, enter the game as 4.5-point favorites, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, with odds of -205 to win outright. DePaul, at 14-13 overall and 6-10 in conference action, is a +170 underdog.
This is the second meeting between these Big East rivals this season, with DePaul securing a narrow 72-71 victory in their first encounter on February 11th. Both teams are seeking a strong finish to the regular season as they position themselves for the upcoming conference tournament. The game total is set at 142.5 points.
Creighton is coming off an 81-52 loss to St. John’s, while DePaul suffered a close defeat against Providence. Tonight’s contest presents an opportunity for both programs to gain momentum heading into the postseason.
DePaul’s Recent Performance and Key Players
The DePaul Blue Demons have shown flashes of potential this season, boasting a 14-13 record and a 6-10 mark in Big East play. They’ve demonstrated an ability to compete with conference opponents, evidenced by their recent win over Creighton and Seton Hall. However, consistency has been a challenge, as highlighted by their 16-11 record against the spread and a tendency for games to fall under the total (18 of 27 games).
CJ Gunn currently leads DePaul in scoring, averaging 14.0 points per game, alongside 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Layden Blocker contributes 11.5 points, 3.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds, while N.J. Benson adds 11.2 points and a team-high 7.3 rebounds. Brandon Maclin, RJ Smith, Kaleb Banks, and Kruz McClure round out the key contributors for the Blue Demons.
Statistically, DePaul ranks 286th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 71.5 points per game. They also rank 277th in offensive rating, 258th in field goal percentage, and 261st in three-point percentage. Defensively, they allow 69.8 points per game, ranking 73rd in the country, and are 85th in defensive rating. Notably, DePaul excels at limiting opponents’ three-point attempts (11th nationally) but struggles to defend the perimeter effectively, ranking 337th in opponents’ three-point percentage.
Creighton’s Struggles and Strengths
The Creighton Bluejays, despite their 14-14 overall record and 8-9 Big East record, possess a potent offensive attack. However, recent form has been inconsistent, with six losses in their last eight games, including a lopsided 81-52 defeat against St. John’s. They have a 9-19 record against the spread, and their games are evenly split in terms of going over/under the total (14-14).
Josh Dix paces the Bluejays in scoring with 12.1 points per game, adding 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Austin Swartz contributes 10.9 points and 2.6 rebounds, while Jasen Green and Nik Graves each average 10.1 points. Green leads the team in rebounding with 5.6 per game, and Graves is the primary playmaker with 3.4 assists.
Creighton averages 75.7 points per game, ranking 189th nationally, and is 175th in offensive rating. They shoot 176th in field goal percentage and 138th in three-point percentage, while attempting the 32nd-most three-pointers in the country. Defensively, they allow 75.7 points per game (233rd nationally) and rank 270th in defensive rating, 255th in opponent field goal percentage, and 274th in opponent three-point percentage. They do, however, allow the 21st-fewest free-throw attempts per contest.
Looking Ahead: Why Creighton is Favored
The first matchup between these teams was a closely contested affair, with DePaul securing a 72-71 victory. In that game, DePaul dominated the paint (46-12) while Creighton found success from beyond the arc (42-15). However, tonight’s game shifts to Creighton’s home court, a factor that analysts believe will be decisive.
The key to this matchup will be the three-point battle. Creighton’s high volume of three-point attempts (32nd nationally) combined with DePaul’s vulnerability in defending the perimeter (337th in opponents’ three-point percentage) creates a favorable scenario for the Bluejays. Creighton shot 14-for-27 from three-point range in the first meeting, and a similar performance tonight could swing the outcome. Historically, Creighton has dominated this series, winning 23 of the last 24 games against DePaul. The Blue Demons have also struggled on the road, losing 14 of their last 15 games following a home loss.
Despite recent struggles, Creighton is considered the stronger overall team and is expected to perform well on their home court. Analysts anticipate the Bluejays will control the scoring and maintain a consistent focus throughout the game. The best bet, according to several sources, is Creighton -4.5 (-112).
The outcome of this game will have implications for both teams’ positioning in the Big East standings as they approach the conference tournament. Fans can expect a competitive matchup, but the odds and historical trends favor a Creighton victory.
Stay tuned to Archyde.com for continued coverage of college basketball and the upcoming conference tournaments.
