With the nation's #12-ranked offense, points are a big part of Creighton's game plan versus Georgetown. After all, the Bluejays are 10-0 when scoring 80 or more points while the Hoyas are 1-3 when allowing 80 or more. But even more important for Creighton will be its defense.
Despite shooting 45 percent from the field Saturday versus Villanova, the Bluejays were steamrolled by a Villanova team that shot 68 percent from the floor and never looked back, and gave up 53 percent in the second half against a St. John's team that is among the weaker shooting teams in the conference. Attention inside the paint figures to be a key for both teams, not just attention beyond the arc.
For the second straight season Creighton turned over its entire starting five in 2015-16. Only a handful of today's players were at CU during the years when Doug McDermott, Austin Chatman, and Ethan Wragge led the Bluejays to the Top 20, yet coach Greg McDermott has done a good job bringing new talent to the starting five. The Creighton backcourt features newcomers in freshman Khyri Thomas (8.8 ppg) and junior transfer Maurice Watson Jr. (12.9 ppg). Thomas is shooting 56 percent per game while Watson is shooting at a 49 percent mark, with a 2.5 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. Thomas has struggled in early Big East play, connecting on just 2 of 10 attempts over his last two games, but has averaged six rebounds a game from the shooting guard position. Creighton will also rely on 6-3 junior Isaiah Zierden to provide scoring in three guard setups. Zierden can be erratic as a shooter but is one of the more experienced options Creighton will have, and his 89 percent rate at the foul line cannot be ignored.
The Bluejays will be expecting a strong game from its front court, where 6-8 Cole Huff struggled against St. John's but was more effective in the Villanova game. Center Geoffrey Groselle has enjoyed a Bradley Hayes-like renaissance as a senior, shooting at a 75 percent rate with little opposition in the non-conference slate; however, Villanova held him to just one attempt in Saturday's game.
Creighton needs a much stronger defensive effort Tuesday. It's unlikely Georgetown will match the Villanova stat sheet, but the Bluejays still rank last in field goal defense, allowing almost 76 points per game. Despite averaging 8.9 threes a game, CU is near the bottom of the league rankings in threes allowed with seven per game. Ranked highly in defensive rebounds, CU lags in offensive rebounds despite the 7-0 Groselle in the pivot.
Georgetown has been unable to maintain a consistent offensive flow for much of the season, leading to uncomfortable stretches of offensive inactivity. The Hoyas are one of three Big East teams with a negative assist to turnover ratio and need to avoid second half turnovers which teams have used to their advantage. Georgetown enters the game with an advantage in height and speed, but cannot get into a track meet with an uptempo team such as Creighton.
KEYS TO THE GAME:
Three Point Defense: Georgetown ranks 229th nationally in defending the three, compared to 32nd in field goal defense overall.
Tre Campbell: A starter for the past two games, Campbell has struggled from the floor (1 for 9) in Big East play. Creighton's defensive sets may provide an opportunity for a better outcome for Campbell to contribute.
James Milliken: One of Creighton's better bench players, the 6-3 senior averaged 8.3 ppg in three prior games against GU and could play a role if the starting guards cannot gain traction against the Hoyas' defense.
Free Throws: A big plus for the Hoyas so far this season, and could be a difference maker late.
Despite shooting 45 percent from the field Saturday versus Villanova, the Bluejays were steamrolled by a Villanova team that shot 68 percent from the floor and never looked back, and gave up 53 percent in the second half against a St. John's team that is among the weaker shooting teams in the conference. Attention inside the paint figures to be a key for both teams, not just attention beyond the arc.
For the second straight season Creighton turned over its entire starting five in 2015-16. Only a handful of today's players were at CU during the years when Doug McDermott, Austin Chatman, and Ethan Wragge led the Bluejays to the Top 20, yet coach Greg McDermott has done a good job bringing new talent to the starting five. The Creighton backcourt features newcomers in freshman Khyri Thomas (8.8 ppg) and junior transfer Maurice Watson Jr. (12.9 ppg). Thomas is shooting 56 percent per game while Watson is shooting at a 49 percent mark, with a 2.5 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. Thomas has struggled in early Big East play, connecting on just 2 of 10 attempts over his last two games, but has averaged six rebounds a game from the shooting guard position. Creighton will also rely on 6-3 junior Isaiah Zierden to provide scoring in three guard setups. Zierden can be erratic as a shooter but is one of the more experienced options Creighton will have, and his 89 percent rate at the foul line cannot be ignored.
The Bluejays will be expecting a strong game from its front court, where 6-8 Cole Huff struggled against St. John's but was more effective in the Villanova game. Center Geoffrey Groselle has enjoyed a Bradley Hayes-like renaissance as a senior, shooting at a 75 percent rate with little opposition in the non-conference slate; however, Villanova held him to just one attempt in Saturday's game.
Creighton needs a much stronger defensive effort Tuesday. It's unlikely Georgetown will match the Villanova stat sheet, but the Bluejays still rank last in field goal defense, allowing almost 76 points per game. Despite averaging 8.9 threes a game, CU is near the bottom of the league rankings in threes allowed with seven per game. Ranked highly in defensive rebounds, CU lags in offensive rebounds despite the 7-0 Groselle in the pivot.
Georgetown has been unable to maintain a consistent offensive flow for much of the season, leading to uncomfortable stretches of offensive inactivity. The Hoyas are one of three Big East teams with a negative assist to turnover ratio and need to avoid second half turnovers which teams have used to their advantage. Georgetown enters the game with an advantage in height and speed, but cannot get into a track meet with an uptempo team such as Creighton.
KEYS TO THE GAME:
Three Point Defense: Georgetown ranks 229th nationally in defending the three, compared to 32nd in field goal defense overall.
Tre Campbell: A starter for the past two games, Campbell has struggled from the floor (1 for 9) in Big East play. Creighton's defensive sets may provide an opportunity for a better outcome for Campbell to contribute.
James Milliken: One of Creighton's better bench players, the 6-3 senior averaged 8.3 ppg in three prior games against GU and could play a role if the starting guards cannot gain traction against the Hoyas' defense.
Free Throws: A big plus for the Hoyas so far this season, and could be a difference maker late.
