Creighton vs Marquette Picks and Odds (Jan 1)

Odds as of December 31st 2021.

Greg McDermott’s club enjoyed a rousing conference opener against the Wildcats two weeks ago. Senior Ryan Hawkins had a game-high 19 points to lead four players in double figures in the 20-point victory over the conference favorite. Since then, COVID issues with DePaul and Georgetown have forced games with those programs to be be postponed.

Meantime, Shaka Smart’s group has gotten off to an 0-2 Big East start after losses to Xavier and UConn. Freshman Justin Lewis paced the Eagles with 20 points and seven rebounds against the Huskies in an eight-point defeat. Marquette was forced to play without second-leading scorer Darryl Morsell due to health and safety protocols.

Creighton Barreling

A team with no returning starters from last year’s Sweet 16 squad — that also starts two freshman and a sophomore — was picked to finished eighth in the Big East this season. But take away a pair of narrow losses to Iowa State and Arizona State, and McDermott’s Diaper Dandies would be 11-1. As it stands, Creighton is 9-3 and well-rested heading into Saturday after its stunning win over ‘Nova.

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— Creighton Men’s Basketball (@BluejayMBB) December 18, 2021

Four players are averaging in double-figures for the Bluejays, led by Hawkins at 14.2 points per game (to go along with a team-high 7.2 rebounds per game). The squad became only the fourth Villanova opponent to score more than 60 points against the Wildcats and is one of the most efficient clubs from inside the arc in college basketball. McDermott’s guys are rated 6th in offensive 2-point field goal percentage.

Creighton averages 72.5 points per game on 48.8% shooting from the field and has outrebounded foes by over five boards per contest. Meantime, the group holds foes to 39.2% shooting and 64.8 points per contest.

Golden Oldies

After starting the 2021-22 season strong — winning seven of their first eight games (including victories over Illinois and West Virginia) in November — the Golden Eagles struggled mightily in December. Marquette only went 1-4 during the month, with its lone victory a one-point win against Kansas State Dec. 8. Lewis, the team’s leading scorer, has been a bright spot.

19-year-old sophomore Justin Lewis has taken a huge step so far this season, emerging as Marquette's leading scorer (17.3 PPG) and evolving into a legitimate floor spacer (34.4% 3PT%) after shooting 22% 3PT% a season ago. More from @Mike_Schmitz >> https://t.co/DQg99yxIfM pic.twitter.com/PfxTcihb2S

— DraftExpressContent (@DXContent) November 30, 2021

The Baltimore native is averaging team-high in points (15.7 ppg) and rebounds (7.7 rpg) — but he can’t be expected to do it alone. Morsell is unlikely to play against the Bluejays after missing the UConn game due to COVID issues. This is a team that comes in with questions marks offensively. Freshman guard Tyler Kolek has been solid so far, dishing out a league-leading 5.9 assists per contest — as well owning a team-leading 22 steals. But there are no other double-digit scoring threats.

But after starting out 0-2 in league play and with this game at home, Marquette’s figurative back is against the wall.

The Pick

Despite the Golden Eagles’ desperation, Creighton comes in as the significantly hotter team. Plus, history favors the Bluejays — winning four of the past five matchups against the Eagles. Creighton has also won all three previous trips to Fiserv Forum.

The Bluejays may be young. But they’re rested and hungry. Plus, the Golden Eagles are undermanned without Morsell. Give me road team in this spot.

Pick: Creighton moneyline (-102)