Creighton seeks to complete season sweep at Villanova

Field Level Media|published: Fri 31st January, 13:27 2025

Dec 21, 2024; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) drives to the basket against Villanova Wildcats forward Enoch Boakye (13) in the second half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

In the first matchup of the season between Creighton and Villanova, the Bluejays got the best of the Wildcats.

That win ignited the current stretch of eight wins in nine games for Creighton, which looks to continue its hot run Saturday afternoon in a road rematch in Villanova, Pa.

The Bluejays (15-6, 8-2 Big East) had lost five of their previous eight games prior to notching an 86-79 victory over the Wildcats on Dec. 21. Ryan Kalkbrenner scored 23 points and Steven Ashworth added 20 to go along with 11 assists for Creighton, which shot a blistering 55.4 percent that day, including 14 of 25 from 3-point range.

Meanwhile, Villanova lost despite shooting 50 percent from the floor and only committing one turnover.

More recently, the Wildcats (12-9, 5-5) have dropped four of five. They fell at then-No. 10 Marquette 87-74 in their most recent contest on Jan. 24 despite a career-high 27 points from Jordan Longino. Eric Dixon, the nation's leading scorer at 24.6 points per game, was limited to 18 on the night.

Villanova coach Kyle Neptune was impressed by how Marquette defended Dixon.

"They did a good job of doing what they do. They attacked him, were physical with him in the post, took away space and were aggressive," Neptune said. "I thought they set the tone that way."

Certainly the Bluejays will look to set a similar tone defensively against the talented senior. He torched them for 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting in the first meeting in Omaha, Neb.

Meanwhile, Kalkbrenner enters this one having averaged 26.0 points on 77.8 percent shooting over the last two games. The 7-foot-1 senior scored 29 points in Wednesday's 86-77 triumph over Xavier -- his highest total since scoring 49 against UT Rio Grande Valley on Opening Night.

"Just his development, it's been so much fun to be part of," Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. "His ears are wide open. He wants to learn. He wants to get better. He wants to grow. He's continued to add things to his game. ... It's been an absolute honor to coach him."

--Field Level Media