Creighton Hosts Kansas in Midwestern Battle

The Creighton Bluejays returned from Las Vegas and the Players Era Festival this past weekend with a mixed bag of results. The Jays dropped their first two games to San Diego State (71-53) and Texas A&M (77-73) before taking care of business against Notre Dame, winning 80-76.

Creighton was without Steven Ashworth (15.6 ppg, 5.6 apg) for the first game in Las Vegas, and without Ryan Kalkbrenner (18.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg) in the last game of the three-game event. However, being banged up a bit provided playing time against quality opponents for a few role players, which could prove pivotal later on in the season.

Now, they'll face their toughest test yet in Kansas, the #1 team in the country. The Jayhawks have already knocked off the likes of Michigan State, Duke, and North Carolina en route to a 7-0 start to the year. They're led by senior big man Hunter Dickinson (15.7 ppg) who will give Ryan Kalkbrenner (if available) all he can handle in the paint. Dickinson pairs with perhaps the nation's premiere ball handler, Dajuan Harris. The sure-handed point guard is averaging over six assists per game, and sets the tone for just about everything Kansas does on both ends of the court.

Creighton has beaten multiple ranked teams in each of the past nine seasons, something that has only been done by Creighton, Baylor, Gonzaga, Kansas, Michigan State, Purdue, Villanova, and Texas Tech.

Kansas and Creighton have only met twice in the past 50 years, both coming in the past four seasons. The Jays traveled to Lawrence, KS in 2020, and lost by just one point, 73-72 after a missed FT with just seconds left. After that, the coined 'Baby Jays' of 2022 gave everything #1 seeded Kansas could handle in the NCAA Tournament, falling just short 79-72 in a game where Ryan Kalkbrenner was out with injury.

After missing Creighton's last contest, there is some speculation on the availability of 7'1 center Ryan Kalkbrenner. Although Fred King played well in his absence, not having the three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year against Kansas would likely prove

fatal. While Jon Rothstein reports Kalkbrenner is a 'game-time decision', I am hearing that the Creighton camp expects their defensive anchor to suit up tonight.

It will be a battle of conflicting styles as far as what each offense will want to do tonight. Creighton's 3-point rate is the eighth highest in the country. While Kansas is much more modest at their attempts beyond the arc, checking in at 328th, nationally.

While Dickinson is on the floor, the Jayhawks do not allow many offensive rebounds. Creighton will have to capitalize on their first attempt at the possession. After shooting historically poorly over their three-game losing streak, Creighton finally downed some long-distance shots in the win over Notre Dame. They'll need to produce from the perimeter to have a shot of knocking off Kansas.

One other thing to note is what Creighton decides to do at the four. Jackson McAndrew has won the starting role at the power forward position in the first few weeks of the season. He's averaging nearly double figures and can step out and stretch the defense. However, Kansas's KJ Adams (10.4 ppg) is a physical four-man who will test the Bluejay freshman on the defensive side of the floor. Creighton will have to find a way to keep Adams in check, despite his positional physicality edge.

This shapes up to be a great one, after the Big East won the first two legs of the Big East-Big 12 battle last night.

Prediction: 77-71 Kansas. It's hard to factor in Kalkbrenner, and what he will look like even if he does play. Regardless, Creighton will be able to hang around in this game, especially in front of a sold-out CHI Health Center. But Kansas may prove too much for this Bleujays team that is still learning how to gel.