Villanova basketball faces Creighton for the second time this season. Keep reading Read more for a full Villanova vs Creighton prediction and preview.
General Information:
Teams: Villanova (12-9, 5-5 Big East) and Creighton (15-6, 8-2 Big East)
Tip-Off Time: 1 p.m. EST
Watch: FOX Sports
Listen: Villanova Sports Radio Network
Latest on Creighton basketball:
Creighton is a top team in the Big East after a rough run during the non-conference schedule. The Bluejays currently hold a six-game win streak with a notable win over then-ranked No. 14 UConn, 68-63, on Jan. 18.
Graduate center Ryan Kalkbrenner has solidified himself as a top-five player in the Big East on any given week. Kalkbrenner has averaged 18.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and a conference-leading 2.9 blocks per game this season. He also currently leads the Big East in field goal percentage with 66.8%.
Throughout Creighton’s six-game win streak, Kalkbrenner has averaged 21.2 points 9.2 rebounds and 3.7 blocks.
Kalbrenner is part of an elite duo alongside graduate guard Steven Ashworth.
Ashworth’s 6.8 assists per game lead the Big East. He averages 16.5 points per game which is only second to Kalbrenner. In the previous meeting with Villanova this season, Kalkbrenner led the Bluejays with 23 points on 50% three-point shooting.
Creighton as a whole is great at stopping second-chance opportunities. The Bluejays average the fifth most defense rebounds per game at 29.2. It is tough for any opponent to score second-chance buckets against Creighton. Villanova needs to score off them when given the opportunity.
Creighton averages 76 points per contest while its opponents average 68.7.
Latest on Villanova basketball:
Villanova’s tournament chances have shrunk to almost nothing. An 87-74 loss against No. 10 Marquette on Jan. 24. The loss was highlighted by senior guard Jordan Longino’s career-high 27 points.
The Wildcats are a completely lopsided team. Villanova ranks 14th in offensive efficiency, according to KenPom. At times this season, the offense was a high third in offensive efficiency. Villanova leads the country in three-point percentage (40%). The offense is elite.
Where Villanova begins to fall apart is on defense. KenPom ranks Villanova 181st in defensive efficiency. Late in games, the Wildcats cannot hold onto leads. The defense cannot come up with stops when needed. It is the biggest hole in Villanova’s game.
Villanova was picked apart by Creighton’s three-point shooting last game. The Bluejays shot 56% on three-points and the Wildcat defense had no answer.
Graduate forward Eric Dixon is still on pace to break Villanova’s all-time scoring record held by Kerry Kittle. Dixon averages a league-high 24.6 points per game. Teams have been forced to double-team Dixon numerous times to limit his offensive production. He has improved his three-pointer from last season, averaging 46.2% from behind the arc.
Villanova needs Dixon to score 20 or more points to beat Creighton. The Wildcats have only won one game this season when Dixon has scored less than 20 points. That game was against Rider on Nov. 27. Dixon had 16 points before heading to the bench early in the 72-48 blowout.
Senior guard Wooga Poplar is looking for a return to consistency. He only played eight minutes before being ejected against Georgetown and only scored eight points off the bench against Marquette. Before those two games, he was averaging 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds through conference play.