Busting Brackets
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Creighton Basketball: 3 keys to Bluejays beating Princeton in Sweet Sixteen

By Holden Walter-Warner

Mar 19, 2023; Denver, CO, USA; Creighton Bluejays guard Baylor Scheierman (55) celebrates with guard Trey Alexander (23) and center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) in the first half against the Baylor Bears at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2023; Denver, CO, USA; Creighton Bluejays guard Baylor Scheierman (55) celebrates with guard Trey Alexander (23) and center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) in the first half against the Baylor Bears at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ryan Langborg #3 of the Princeton Tigers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Ryan Langborg #3 of the Princeton Tigers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

2. Shut down Ryan Langborg

Ryan Langborg has been the face of Princeton’s NCAA Tournament run, and not just because of his viral LinkedIn page. For Creighton to win, Langborg is going to have to languish underneath the Bluejays’ defense.

The San Diego-born senior is a weapon from beyond the three-point arc. He only hit 32.3 percent of his threes this season, but he’s made 36 percent for his career and knocked down more than 40 percent last season, when he led the Ivy League in true shooting percentage.

Langborg is one of the best scorers in the Ivy League for two years running. This season, he averaged 12.3 points per game, ranking 13th in the conference. He’s adept at getting to the free throw line and is consistently on the court for the Tigers.

It feels like a lifetime ago, but Langborg actually struggled in the upset over Arizona. He scored just eight points and clanged all six of his three-point attempts. Tosan Evbuowman, who has a case as the team’s best player, picked Princeton up with 15 points.

Against Missouri, however, Langborg blew up. He scored 22 points, one of his best totals of the season, while knocking down four three-point attempts (he had a permanent green light, evidenced by his 12 attempts). Blake Peters and Matt Allocco were the only other Tigers in double figures.

Langborg isn’t always Princeton’s best offensive player, but the team is more dynamic on offense when he’s shooting and shooting well. He would also be a top option if the Tigers are in need of clutch buckets.

If Creighton can slow down Langborg’s momentum after his Second Round performance, the Bluejays will be in good shape.

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