Creighton vs. Texas Odds
| Creighton Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 139.5 -115o / -105u | +230 |
| Texas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 139.5 -115o / -105u | -285 |
The best matchup of Thursday night takes place in Austin, Texas, where the Longhorns host the Creighton Bluejays in the Big East-Big 12 Battle.
Texas has had a relatively weak schedule, but did beat Gonzaga by 19 points.
Creighton comes into this game at 5-1 with wins over Texas Tech and Arkansas, but a loss against Arizona in the Maui Invitational.
The Bluejays thrive on the offensive end and rank ninth in the nation in KenPom’s Adjusted Offensive Efficiency. Meanwhile, Texas is 12th.
Texas does most of its work on the defensive end and is third in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency.
Both teams have a tendency to play around the NCAA-average when it comes to tempo. Creighton works the ball around and evenly scores on 2-pointers and 3-pointers, but Texas primarily likes the ball inside the arc.
Neither team gets to the line very often.
With how well Creighton rebounds on defense and how well Texas defends, this total looks a bit too high.
Creighton Bluejays
The Bluejays are an efficient offensive program because of their ability to avoid turnovers and find open shots. They are shooting 38.2% from 3-point range and over 60% from inside the arc.
The main ingredient for offensive success in this game will be a lack of turnovers. Creighton ranks 17th in offensive turnover percentage (14.5%), but Texas has turned over opponents at the fourth-highest clip (28.8%).
Expect a few bumps in the road for the Bluejays.
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Photo by CBB Analytics
Creighton may lack the put-backs necessary for some offensive success, but the Bluejays are holding opponents to a 19.8% offensive rebounding percentage.
That should negate Texas’ better offensive rebounding (74th vs. 161st). Expect only one shot for each offense most times down the floor.
The Bluejays have the height advantage. The Longhorns will struggle defending Ryan Kalkbrenner, who has some solid alternatives to pass the ball to on the perimeter.
That said, Texas contained Drew Timme and made him cough up the ball. The major discrepancy is Kalkbrenner is averaging fewer than a turnover per game, while Timme is averaging 3.3 turnovers per game.
Creighton will play cleaner offensive basketball.
Texas Longhorns
Texas has an incredibly deep team. It can put a set of fresh legs on the floor at any given moment, as the Longhorns have nine players averaging at least 15 minutes per game.
They average 9.8 steals per game and Dylan Disu and Christian Bishop will be asked to contain Kalkbrenner. Those two average two and 1.4 blocks per game, respectively.
The Longhorns do a great job of containing the middle of an offensive set. Teams are only shooting 39.2% against them this season on 2s.
Texas is also holding opponents to just under 26% on 3s.
Much of the opportunities the Longhorns will give Creighton will be from deep.
Creighton vs. Texas Betting Pick
Creighton is the better offensive team, but Texas has the defensive edge. Neither particularly thrives on the offensive glass, so second chances should be few and far between.
Texas is playing at home, but this Creighton program is much more fluid on offense than Gonzaga and doesn't turn the ball over.
With that being the case, the under should be in play from start to finish. Take it from 139.5 (-110), and play it to 138 (-110).
Pick: Under 139.5 | Play to 138 |
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