Big East Basketball: Undefeated match-up takes center stage in Omaha

By Drew Dinnhaupt | Dec 31, 2016

Dec 31, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Rally towels awaiting fans at the game between the Creighton Bluejays and the Villanova Wildcats at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

2016 ends with a top 10 Big East basketball match-up between the Villanova Wildcats and the Creighton Bluejays.

To conclude 2016, the top-ranked Villanova Wildcats head to Omaha to challenge the 10th ranked Creighton Bluejays. It is a colossal matchup that features two undefeated teams.

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The reigning national champion Wildcats are nearly the consensus No. 1 team, with 56 of 65 AP poll voters having Jay Wright’s squad as the best in the nation.

The Wildcats have two wins over ranked opponents, but have yet to a face a top 10 team. Against unranked opponents, Villanova has dominated in all but one contest. Villanova somehow struggled greatly against DePaul, barely edging them in a 68-65 victory in a game where the Wildcats were favored by 24.5 points.

Senior guard Josh Hart has carried the group this year, leading the team in points per game (20.5) and rebounds per game (6.5). Sophomore guard Jalen Brunson (12.8), senior forward Kris Jenkins (12.8) and sophomore guard Mikal Bridges (10.5) are three other Wildcats who score in double figures.

Villanova averages just under 80 points per game (79.8) and are 20th in the nation in points allowed per game (61.5). They struggle greatly on the glass, ranking 251st nationwide in rebounds per game (35.1).

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The Creighton Bluejays will try to avoid their first loss of the season in front of their home crowd. They’ve already won eight games at home this year.

Creighton has faced only one ranked opponent, which came in their second match-up of the year. The Bluejays knocked off then-number nine Wisconsin by double digits.

Creighton has handled all other opponents with ease, aside from Oral Roberts, a team ranked outside the top 200 in the KenPom rating system. The Bluejays looked putrid in a game they won, 66-65, over the Golden Eagles.

Aside from that scare, Creighton has been fantastic all year.

The Bluejays’ backcourt of junior Marcus Foster and senior Maurice Watson Jr. is incredible. Foster leads the team in scoring, averaging 18.8 points per game while shooting over 50 percent from the floor. Watson is the facilitator, as his 9.1 assists per game lead the entire NCAA. Down low, Creighton has freshman surprise Justin Patton (12.7 points) and senior Cole Huff (9.1 points).

Offensively, this group is phenomenal. Their 89.8 points per game is eighth in the nation and the best in the Big East. They do not perform outstanding defensively though, allowing over 70 points per game on average.

Saturday afternoon, I am predicting the nation’s top team will go down. Creighton will upset the Wildcats due to their fantastic offense and home court advantage. It certainly won’t be by a significant margin, but I foresee a Creighton victory.

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Josh Hart will carry Villanova, and, as he did against Notre Dame, could go off for another 30 point performance to further improve his Player of the Year status. His efforts will ultimately not be enough to give Villanova the win.