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Creighton vs. Xavier prediction and odds for Wednesday, January 11 (Buy low on Bluejays)

ByReed Wallach|
Nov 17, 2022; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) dunks the ball during the first half against the UC Riverside Highlanders at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2022; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) dunks the ball during the first half against the UC Riverside Highlanders at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Creighton is still trying to regain its early season form and it gets an opportunity against an elite Xavier team on Wednesday night.

The Bluejays have improved their play since a six game losing streak, but the team is looking for a signature victory after coming up short at Connecticut over the weekend. Can the team slow down the offensive powerhouse that is Sean Miller’s Xavier team?

Here are the odds for this Big East showdown:

Creighton vs. Xavier odds, spread and total

Creighton vs. Xavier prediction and pick

While the records are far different, Creighton is 9-7 while Xavier is 13-3 and on a nine game winning streak, the quality of the team’s aren’t.

Since December 22nd, the Bluejays are actually a better team, per Bart Torvik. Creighton is seventh in that time span while Xavier is 10th. The key has been the return of Creighton big man Ryan Kalkbrenner to shut down the interior for opponents. The Bluejays are holding opponents to 41% shooting on two-point tries since his return, a top 30 mark.

That’s massive against a Xavier team that wants to pound the ball inside with their two big men, Zach Freemantle and Jack Nunge. The Muskeeters are top 50 in the country in two-point rate this season, but Creighton’s defense is strong on the interior and could negate some of their offensive firepower.

Xavier is also owed some shooting regression. The team profiles like a 10-6 team rather than a 13-3 one, per ShotQuality, mainly due to their obscene three-point shooting splits. The team is shooting 40.8% from three (fourth in the country), which is incredibly fortuitous. Creighton’s defense is built to force this team outside the paint and a higher diet of perimeter shots may show that this team isn’t as dangerous from the outside as they have been when they can pick and choose their spots.

Creighton is an elite defense that is rounding into form, I think we see the upswing continue and they put up another strong showing on the road.

Track all of Reed’s bets at Betstamp HERE!

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.