1. Defend the perimeter.
Creighton is an elite 3-point shooting team. Everyone that has been paying any attention to the Bluejays this season should know that. With Marcus Zegarowski, Ty-Shon Alexander, and Mitchell Ballock on the perimeter, they are never afraid to let it fly and connect more often than not. Over the course of this entire season, Creighton ranks in the Top 100 nationally in 3-point attempt rate while hitting 37.9% on those shots. This is a team that is extremely dangerous from deep and Butler needs to find a way to limit their effectiveness from deep.
Preventing 3-point efficiency has been an issue for the Dawgs throughout conference play and that cannot shine through again. Big East opponents have consistently been able to find open looks and are connecting on 32.6% of those shots. Part of this poor perimeter defense, though, can be attributed to the fact that Butler has been without its best stopper for several games. Starting point guard Aaron Thompson has missed 4+ games in conference play so far and he drastically improves Butler’s defense when on the court.
Thompson was healthy during the first matchup between these two teams and Butler was able to hold Creighton to just 4-for-22 (18.2%) from three. He cannot single-handedly cover the Bluejays’ perimeter attack but he could limit Zegarowski or Alexander while also vocally calling out matchups and necessary switches. Thompson is an excellent tactician and on-the-court coach.
Henry Baddley could play big minutes off the bench in the backcourt in this one as well while Jordan Tucker and Sean McDermott will need to hold their own on the wing.