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Creighton Hosts Butler In Final Regular Season Game

Jays try to build momentum for the postseason

By Kevin Urquhart
Creighton v Butler Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

THE FACTS

Time and Date: Saturday, March 6 @ 4:00 pm ET

Records: Butler (9-13, 6-10 BIG EAST) | Creighton (17-7, 13-6 BIG EAST)

Rankings: Butler (#109 KenPom) | Creighton (#18 KenPom)

TV Channel: FOX

GAME PREVIEW

The Creighton Bluejays finish off the regular season against Butler Saturday, looking to build some momentum heading into the postseason. One of the BIG EAST’s best teams this year, Creighton has entered a time of upheaval in the program with Coach Greg McDermott suspended indefinitely following racially insensitive comments he made last week. Saturday’s game will be the Jays’ first without McDermott at the helm as they look to snap a two-game losing streak.

Meanwhile, LaVall Jordan’s Butler squad, which has been considered a slouch at times this season, is riding high with back-to-back wins over Seton Hall and Villanova. The Bulldogs put on a completely dominant performance against the Wildcats, winning by 12 despite shooting just 9/20 from the free throw line.

It’s also worth noting that Butler defeated Creighton earlier this season, prevailing in overtime on January 16 in a game where the Jays were without Marcus Zegarowski. Creighton will likely still be favored in Omaha Saturday, but it’s far from a sure thing. This game will speak volumes about the Bluejays as they either crumble under the recent pressure and chaos or respond with a convincing performance. They are headed to the NCAA Tournament regardless of what happens Saturday and in the BIG EAST conference tourney, but their success there depends on them bouncing back from recent challenges.

The Bulldogs, for their part, are nowhere near the NCAA Tournament bubble, but perhaps have reason to believe a BIG EAST tournament miracle and a stolen bid is not out of the realm of possibility. They have now beaten three of the league’s top four teams at some point this season and the conference’s powerhouses have not been at their best recently. A win Saturday would solidify Butler as a real threat in New York.

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