Villanova brings 5-game win streak into matchup at Creighton

Field Level Media|published: Fri 20th December, 21:27 2024

Dec 11, 2024; Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Eric Dixon (43) drives against Fairleigh Dickinson Knights forward Jo'el Emanuel (13) in the second half at William B. Finneran Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Villanova could be finding its rhythm at an opportune time.

The Wildcats enter their first Big East Conference road game against Creighton on a five-game winning streak Saturday afternoon in Omaha, Neb.

The Wildcats (8-4, 1-0) have been efficient offensively, shooting at least 55 percent from the field in their last three games.

"I think it's that our guys are so unselfish and they're making the right read," coach Kyle Neptune said. "They're really starting to trust each other."

Eric Dixon is tied for first in the country at 25.7 points per game entering Saturday, and he might like seeing the Bluejays next on the schedule. He poured in 28.5 ppg last season against Creighton, putting him at 19.5 ppg in eight career matchups.

Dixon scored 25 for the Wildcats and guard Tyler Perkins provided 17 points off the bench in Tuesday night's 79-67 home victory against Seton Hall.

"He's a guy who always brings it defensively," Neptune said of Perkins. "He always brings energy and we know he's a scorer."

Creighton (7-5, 0-1) has trailed at halftime in four of its five losses.

Creighton's 6-1 home record includes defeating then-No. 1 Kansas. But the Bluejays will try to bounce back from Wednesday's 81-57 loss at Georgetown in their Big East opener.

"When you get into Big East, teams are going to take away what you want to do," Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. "You have to make sure when you counter that, you don't turn it over."

Ryan Kalkbrenner, the Big East Preseason Player of the Year, checks in with 16.7 ppg, sharing Creighton's scoring lead with Steven Ashworth.

Ashworth's streak of at least one 3-point basket in 30 consecutive games is the longest active string in the Big East.

Villanova has used samplings of zone defenses, which could be one of its strategies for Saturday.

"If you don't give a team an advantage, you force them into contested looks," Neptune said. "That's kind of what our approach is."

The teams split two games last season, each decided by two points. Villanova's triumph took overtime.

This is the third time in four seasons that the Wildcats visit Creighton for a pre-Christmas matchup. The teams split the past two such encounters.

Villanova leads the all-time series 19-9 but is only 6-5 at Creighton.

--Field Level Media