#1 KenPom Thrill Alert: Creighton vs. St. John’s
Get ready for a Big East clash that promises to live up to its #1 “thrill” ranking from KenPom. The #15 Creighton Bluejays (20-7, 11-5 Big East) travel to Madison Square Garden to face a hungry St. John’s Red Storm (15-12, 7-9 Big East).
Momentum Check
- Creighton: The Bluejays are scorching hot, winning four straight, including a massive upset over #1 Connecticut. They’re a road warrior betting favorite, boasting a 7-3 ATS record overall and a remarkable 7-1 ATS when favored away from home.
- St. John’s: The Red Storm face an uphill battle, having lost 8 of their last 11. However, they’re a formidable 10-4 at home and fresh off a win against Georgetown.
Can St. John’s Stage an Upset?
The Red Storm will need to disrupt Creighton’s high-powered offense. Look for them to apply their stifling defense, led by shot-blocking menace Joel Soriano, and dominate the boards. St. John’s scorers, Soriano and David Jones, must find their rhythm to have a fighting chance.
Creighton’s Offensive Edge
The Bluejays hold significant statistical advantages in shooting efficiency. They rank among the nation’s best in field goals (17th), free throws (17th), and three-pointers (46th). Creighton’s scoring trio of Baylor Scheierman, Ryan Nembhard, and Trey Alexander will look to pick apart St. John’s defense.
X-Factors
- Creighton Letdown? After their monumental win over UConn, could the Bluejays experience a letdown?
- The Garden’s Roar: Can St. John’s feed off the home crowd energy?
Prediction
This game has the potential to be an absolute thriller. While Creighton’s offensive firepower and strong road record give them an edge, don’t discount St. John’s home-court advantage and defensive intensity.
Our model when using data from the last 7 games predicts a Creighton win by a score of 88-81.