Princeton Basketball: 3 keys to beating Creighton in Sweet 16 matchup

Crash the boards and defend off the glass

If the Princeton Tigers want to hang with the Creighton Bluejays, they will have to rebound very well on both ends and show up defensively. They will be relying on freshman Caden Pierce and senior Keeshawn Kellman to lead those efforts.

Last time out against Missouri, Pierce had just nine points but added 16 boards in 38 minutes off play. The 6-foot-6 forward is leading the Tigers, averaging 7.4 rebounds per game. Kellman posted eight points, six rebounds, and a block. We can expect both to lead the frontcourt against Creighton.

Princeton will have to play bigger inside the paint to match Creighton’s size. The priority will be to lock down 7-foot-1 center Ryan Kalkbrenner. The Missouri native is leading the Bluejays in points, blocks, and field goal percentage. He is averaging 15.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and shooting 70.6 percent, which is second-best in the nation. He dropped 31 points in the Bluejay’s first-round 72-63 victory over NC State.

Another player to keep tabs on is sophomore guard Ryan Nembhard, who leads Creighton in assists, averaging 4.8 per game. Last time out against three-seeded Baylor, he posted 30 points and shot 61.5 percent from the field.

All five of Creighton’s starters are averaging at least 10.5 points per game. Coach Doug McDermott’s squad is so good at scoring from range and inside the paint.

The Tigers will have to come prepared as they will be tested defensively with the Bluejay’s offensive firepower.