Creighton Basketball: 3 keys to beat Kansas Jayhawks in Round of 32

Dec 14, 2021; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Creighton Bluejays guard Trey Alexander (23) celebrates a score with center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) and guard Alex O'Connell (5) in the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

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Kansas Jayhawks (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Take Care of the Basketball

Well, Creighton continues to prove me wrong. The Jays had 20 turnovers again last night and pulled out another gutsy win. This continues the trend that every game without Nembhard, Creighton has had more turnovers than its’ opponent. Yet, in those games, they are 4-3. But against a team that scores the ball as well as Kansas, giving 20 extra possessions simply won’t work out.

Trey Alexander left his heart and soul out on the floor last night, finishing with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. Now, he’ll have to put up an even better effort to knock off Kansas. The Jayhawk backcourt is not only sensationally potent offensively, but has stingy defensive ability as well. Opponents only shoot 29.9% from deep on them, good for the 23rd best three-point defense in the country.

This isn’t a great sign for a Jays team that is 5/43 (11.6%) from three-point line the last two games. Creighton on the season is one of the worst teams at shooting the three-ball among power conference teams. Creighton will obviously have to shoot well to be competitive in this one but to do that they have to get up enough shots for it to matter. The good thing for the jays is that Kansas doesn’t pressure the ball nearly as much as San Diego State does. Especially when Remy Martin, ASU transfer, is on the floor– Alexander will have a little more room to breathe.

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