Northwestern vs. Creighton: College basketball game preview, TV schedule
The Northwestern Wildcats and the Creighton Blue Jays will square off in the annual Gavitt Games. Who will pad their early season resume?
TV Schedule: Wednesday, Nov 15, 9:00 p.m ET, BTN
Arena: All-State Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
No. 20 Northwestern has survived two early season scares but will face their toughest opponent thus far, the Creighton Blue Jays. Loyola (MD) pushed Northwestern to the wire on opening night, but the Wildcats held on by four points. Scottie Lindsey had a game-high 26 points while also grabbing 9 rebounds and Bryant McIntosh scored 16 points and dished out 7 assists.
In their second game, Northwestern endured another closer than anticipated game as they defeated St. Peter’s by only 9 points. All five starters scored in double figures, but the bench only contributed a mere 7 points. McIntosh was, once again, a standout performer with 17 points and 7 rebounds.
Northwestern was expected to handle their first two games with ease and they were favored by double figures against both teams. Creighton has a much higher talent level than Northwestern’s first two opponents and the Blue Jays could pull off an upset if overlooked.
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Creighton won their first two games of the season against a short-handed Yale team and an overmatched Alcorn State squad. Yale was without their star guard, Makai Mason, but they are a solid mid-major team even without him. The dynamic wing duo of Marcus Foster and Kyhri Thomas led Creighton with 23 and 22 points respectively.
It is hard to glean anything from their Alcorn State game as the Creighton lead quickly ballooned and minutes were distributed more generously than they would be in a competitive game. However, one surprise performer from the first two contests is sophomore center Martin Krampelj. Krampelj has averaged 9.5ppg and 10.5rpg in the first two games and has sparked the frontcourt with his energy.
Northwestern returns most of their main contributors from last season’s NCAA Tournament team. Juniors Vic Law and Dererk Pardon join Lindsey and McIntosh as the team’s standout players. This collection of experience and talent should give them the edge over a Creighton team that is working many new faces into the rotation.
Creighton lost Maurice Watson, Justin Patton, and Cole Huff from their starting unit and Isaiah Zierden and Zach Hanson who were key reserves. Replacing five rotation players is no easy task and they have no one who can match Watson and Patton’s production on a nightly basis.
The previously mentioned Martin Krampelj has seen his role increased as has stretch four Toby Hegner and PG Davion Mintz. Hegner and Mintz were in the rotation last season, but they have earned starting roles and will need to be more productive this season.
Mintz was a solid mid-season replacement for Watson last season, but he will see more responsibility and face higher expectations as the full-time starter at PG. Hegner will have to consistently hit outside shots and act as a floor spacer so Foster and Thomas have space to operate.
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Northwestern’s starting five is one of the best in the country when fully healthy, but it is unclear if PF Aaron Falzon will be able to play against Creighton. Falzon redshirted last season with an injury and has missed the first two games of this season with a lower-body injury. If he is healthy and in the lineup, Northwestern becomes much more potent offensively as Falzon is a skilled shooter and offensive player.
The Wildcats have an advantage with their starters, but Creighton has a better bench. Junior PF Ronnie Harrell, freshman wing Mitch Ballock, senior center Manny Suarez, and freshman combo guard Tyshon Alexander have performed well in the early season and will give Coach McDermott plenty of options. Harrell and Ballock have stood out early and are players to watch.
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While the game should be close, Northwestern should prevail on their “home court”. Northwestern’s actual home arena is under renovation, so they will play their home games at the All-State Arena this season. This will mitigate some of their home court advantage, but shouldn’t affect the outcome of any games.
Prediction: Northwestern 80 Creighton 71