Oregon vs. Creighton Prediction: Will Ryan Kalkbrenner, Bluejays End Oregon's Run in Round of 32?
The Creighton Bluejays will face a major test in the red-hot Oregon Ducks on Saturday night. Can Ryan Kalkbrenner and the Bluejays put an end to Oregon's Cinderella run? Ben Rajavuori thinks so, and backs it up with crucial stats in Oregon vs. Creighton.
Ben Rajavuori - March 23, 2024, 4:57 PM EDT
5 minOregon vs. Creighton Prediction: Will Ryan Kalkbrenner, Bluejays End Oregon's Run in Round of 32?
The Creighton Blue Jays and Oregon Ducks meet in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Pittsburgh. The Creighton Blue Jays routed and covered against Akron in the first round, while Oregon got hot and routed the South Carolina Gamecocks. Oregon was not expected to be here as the 11 seed, but they are confident playing behind some experienced players. The winner of this game will go on to face the winner of Texas and Tennessee. Creighton is the rightful favorite in this game, laying 4.5 points in this matchup. What should we expect from this game?
Oregon vs. Creighton DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024
- Start Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: TBS
Oregon vs. Creighton ODDS
- Spread: Oregon +4.5 (-110), Creighton -4.5 (-110)
- Total Odds: O 145.5 (-106), U 145.5 (-108)
- Moneyline Odds: Oregon (+160), Creighton (-190)
Oregon vs. Creighton Prediction
No one was going to deny Oregon in the first round the way they played against South Carolina. Jermaine Couisnard dropped 40 points on 9–13 shooting from the field. He went 5–9 from the perimeter and 7–7 from the free-throw line. N'Faly Dante was second in scoring with 23 points on 7–9 shooting from the field. Couisnard and Dante combined for 63 of Oregon’s 87 points on Thursday. If this duo can stay hot, no one can deny them. However, I think Ryan Kalkbrenner and the Blue Jays will have something to say about it.
South Carolina did not have an answer for the size of Dante or the Ducks, but Creighton certainly will. At 7‘1“, Ryan Kalkbrenner will surely be standing in the way of Dante. When he is not on the floor, the Blue Jays also have 6‘10“ Frederick King. Creighton ranks 15th in the nation in average height, so matching up with Oregon’s big man will not be a problem. The difference for me is how Creighton played against top opponents across the season and remained consistent. Creighton played a harder strength of schedule and had 13 quad one games, going 8–5 in those 13. Oregon only played 10 quad one games, going 4–6 in those 10. Creighton picked up impressive non-conference wins against Iowa, Nebraska, and Alabama this season, while Oregon struggled in nonconference play. Oregon did not play a quad-one nonconference game this season. The difference in how both teams played against top opponents will show up in today’s game. Oregon finished the season strong, winning the Pac-12 conference tournament, they have yet to run into a team as balanced as Creighton.
Creighton is one of eight teams that ranks in the top 21 in offensive efficiency and top 37 in defensive efficiency in the country. Creighton has multiple players who can make a play when needed, like Baylor Scheierman, Trey Alexander, and Ryan Kalkbrenner. They also have a better outside shooting game, as South Carolina ranked 180th in three-point percentage, while Creighton ranks 36th. At the end of the day, I cannot see Oregon advancing, and it seems like this is where their hot streak ends against a powerhouse Big East team in Creighton.
Oregon vs. Creighton Prediction
Pick: Creighton -4.5 (-110) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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