The Significant East is major-to-bottom difficult. On any specified night, a missing player, or sub-par overall performance can jump up and chunk any staff. No uncomplicated game titles.
The two Creighton and UConn, opponents on Saturday, know that all way too nicely. The Huskies have been on a roll just before shedding to St. John’s past activity. Creighton, off to a flying start, has dropped two in a row, to Butler and Providence.
So this rematch of the match at Gampel on Dec. 20 finds both equally teams browsing for a bounce-again win. The Huskies’ James Bouknight scored 40 in that Significant East debut he wont be accessible for this sport, however recovering from elbow surgery.
Creighton’s best player, Marcus Zegarowski, was held in examine by UConn last time he’ll be seeking to crack out in the rematch. The Bluejays have a whole lot of complementary players, one thing UConn is still on the lookout to build with some consistency. The Huskies are 3- on the road in convention perform, but have not crushed a ranked group in a accurate street recreation due to the fact January 2014 at Memphis.
Here’s what you need to know:
The Basics
Time: Noon
Venue: Chi Wellness Centre, Omaha, Neb.
Collection: Creighton, 1-
Past assembly: Creighton, 76-74 (OT) Dec. 20 at Gampel Pavilion.
Streaks: UConn L1, Creighton L2
Television set: FOX (Kevin Kugler, Donny Marshall)
Livestream: Go to the Fox Sports activities internet site for stay stream info.
Radio: UConn IMG Radio Network (Mike Crispino, Wayne Norman) 97.9 ESPN Hartford, WINE 940 AM, WGCH 1490 AM, WICC 600 AM, WAVZ 1300 AM, WXLM 980 AM, WATR 1320 AM, WILI 1400 AM, 95.3 FM. XM 386, Online 986
Creighton (10-4, 6-3 Huge East) probable starters, sixth person
Denzel Mahoney, G/F, 6-5, Sr. Marcus Zegarowski, G, 6-2, Jr. Christian Bishop, F, 6-7, Jr. Damien Jefferson, F, 6-5, Sr. Mitch Ballock, G, 6-5, Sr. Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, 7-, Fr.
UConn (7-2, 4-2) probable starters, sixth guy
Adana Sanogo, C, 6-9, Fr, Isaiah Whaley, F, 6-9, Sr. R.J. Cole, G, 6-, Jr. Tyrese Martin, G/F, 6-6, Jr. Tyler Polley, F, 6-8, Sr. Brendan Adams, G, 6-4, Jr.
The matchup
UConn’s offense: It is been difficult given that Bouknight went down with his harm. Polley has stepped up a pair of periods with sharpshooting from 3-place vary, Martin has stepped up a few of situations with bruising inside of engage in and Cole experienced a good capturing recreation final time. But consistent, cohesive offensive without the star has been elusive.
UConn’s defense: Following a quantity of terrific defensive initiatives, the Huskies appeared to dress in down towards St. John’s, and were being victimized by a lot of blow-bys and experienced hassle with a four-guard lineup. The Huskies did effectively in regulation with their concepts in opposition to Creighton past time, and will need to have to tighten up for this activity.
Creighton’s offense: The Bluejays get great equilibrium, with 5 starters averaging amongst 9.1 and 15.1 points per match. They are taking pictures 49 per cent from the floor, a credible 36.7 on threes and averaging 81.1 details. Zegarowski, who just lately scored his 1,000th stage, has a 56/30 ratio of helps to turnovers.
Creighton’s defense: Opponents are capturing 39.9 %, 33.3 on three pointers, and are receiving 11.6 offensive rebounds, so there could be 2nd-probability prospects for UConn here. Creighton is permitting 69.4 points for every match.
UConn essential: Issues have been likely great a 7 days in the past, 3 road wins, Top 25. The Huskies arrived again to earth vs. St. John’s, and now should show the bounce-back again good quality.
Participant to look at: Sanogo. The freshman large gentleman had a breakout vs. St. John’s with 12 details, four rebounds and a few helps, but sat the last 12:46 as UConn was outscored 33-21. The Huskies will need for him to build on that, and to uncover a way to hold him in the activity no matter of the opponent’s lineup.
About Creighton’s mentor: Greg McDermott, 56, performed at Northern Iowa and coached at Wayne State (116-53), North Dakota Point out (15-11), Northern Iowa (90-63) and Iowa Point out (59-68) right before coming to Creighton, where by he is 241-120. Had the NCAA Match been played last March, McDermott would have manufactured his ninth excursion.
Creighton’s mascot: It’s Bluejays, a person term, not to be baffled with George Springer’s new team in Toronto.
Well known alum: Bob Gibson, Monthly bill Fitch, Paul Silas, Benoit Benjamin, Kyle Korver, Doug McDermott.
Dom Amore can be achieved at damore@courant.com
