3-point preview: Creighton vs. South Dakota

Keeping turnovers down

In the first half against Nebraska, the Bluejays committed 10 turnovers and trailed at the break. In the second half, the Bluejays only turned it over twice and outscored the Huskers by 11, leading to a double digit victory on the road. The team as a whole has not been shooting well. Combine that with the turnovers and you have a recipe for a long night that was shown in their loss at Tulsa. That is why the Jays must keep the turnovers low if they are to be successful against South Dakota and throughout the season. Do the little things, the rest will come.

Putting a complete game together

This season has been filled with games separated by two very distinct halves of basketball. In games against Oklahoma, North Carolina Central, Ole Miss, Middle Tennessee State, and, to some extent, Eastern Illinois and Nebraska, the Bluejays have been truly Jekyll and Hyde. Turnovers, lackluster defense and scoring droughts will plague one half while the other half will see the Jays control the game and play the way Greg McDermott knows they're capable of. Creighton fans would love nothing more than to see a dominant performance from start to finish against the Coyotes . It certainly will provide for a great tuneup before Saturday's tough test against a 5-1 St. Mary's team.

What can Creighton expect from South Dakota?

Just a two hour drive along I-29 separates these two schools. But, where these two programs are at could not be more different. The Coyotes have been members of the Summit League in Division I since 2011-12 and are still trying to battle their way for a top half finish in the conference that includes solid programs Oral Roberts, South Dakota State, North Dakota State, and an Omaha team that won at Marquette. The Coyotes are led by senior guard Brandon Bos and fellow senior Tyler Larson. While Bos leads the team in scoring, Larson is the team's leading rebounder, assist man and second leading scorer. Larson has scored double digits in points in every game but one this season, and is shooting 40 percent from downtown. Bos, meanwhile, has had four games where he has scored over 20 points but is much more of a volume scorer, as he is shooting under 40 percent from the field. While only 3-6, South Dakota has been in every game this season, including two overtime losses away from home. The Bluejays should win comfortably but don't be shocked if it's close at half.