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Creighton vs San Diego State: 2023 NCAA Tournament game preview, how to watch, odds, prediction

By Tristan Freeman

Dec 22, 2022; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) on the floor against the Butler Bulldogs in the second half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2022; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) on the floor against the Butler Bulldogs in the second half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Creighton and San Diego State battle it out for a spot in the Final Four next week. Who has the best chance at pulling off the victory?

TV schedule: Sunday, March 26th, 2:20 pm ET, CBS

Arena: KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky

How to Watch Creighton vs San Diego State

After a couple of upsets, the South Region looked to be all about Alabama, the No. 1 seed and overall favorite to make it to the finals of the NCAA Tournament. They were a big favorite in the Sweet 16 matchup against San Diego State but the game turned into a dogfight, which is what the Aztecs needed.

After a huge second-half run led by guard Darrion Trammell, San Diego State pulled off the 71-64 massive upset. Trammell, the high-profile offseason transfer pickup, led all scorers with 21 points. It was a historical win for the Mountain West overall, with the Aztecs being the first team in the league to making the Elite 8. They now take on one of the hottest teams in the country in Creighton, who ended the Cinderella campaign of the 15-seed, Princeton Tigers.

The final score was 86-75, led by 22 points from big man Ryan Kalkbrenner. Baylor Scheierman dropped 21 points on 5/7 shooting from three-point range, while Trey Alexander had 19 points as well. Ryan Nembhard had nine points and eight assists in the game. The Bluejays have become one of the top offense teams in the tournament and sets up an interesting clash against the defensive juggernauts in the Aztecs.

San Diego State vs Creighton NCAA Tournament odds

According to FanDuel:

Moneyline: Creighton (-128), San Diego State (+106)

Spread: Creighton -2.5 (-118), San Diego State +2.5 (-104)

Total: 134.5 – Over: (-110), Under: (-110)

The includes the matchup inside between Kalkbrenner for Creighton and Nathan Mensah of San Diego State, who was elite in the win over the Crimson Tide. The veteran backcourt of the Aztecs will have its hands full against the shooting ability the Bluejays possess as well.

San Diego State vs Creighton NCAA Tournament game prediction

Coming into the season, Creighton was a preseason top-10 team with Final Four potential. Outside of a 6-game losing streak when Kalkbrenner was sick, they’ve looked that part. San Diego State was a preseason top-25 team so them being in the second weekend isn’t a surprise.

Next. Ranking the Elite 8 teams. dark

What is a surprise is the matchup itself as a 5 vs 6 seed game in the NCAA Tournament. The Aztecs handled Alabama but that had to do with Brandon Miller going 3/19 from the field. Creighton is too balanced for that and should have enough scoring to get to the Final Four.

Prediction: Creighton 75, San Diego State 67

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