Creighton at Butler: 2023-24 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

Butler looks to get a massive win for its resume this weekend, taking on Creighton at home.

TV Schedule: Saturday, February 17, 12:30 pm ET (Fox)
Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana

The Big East is one of the tougher conferences from top to bottom, which means that on any given night, even the top teams are susceptible to upset. This was true when Butler traveled to Omaha earlier this month and knocked off then-ranked No. 13 Creighton in a 99-98 shootout. This time No. 17 Creighton (18-7) will travel to Indianapolis and try to avenge its loss to Butler and avoid another upset.

The Bluejays have been dominant on offense in February, putting up over 89 points per game. Even though the offense has been virtually unstoppable, Creighton has a 2-2 record over those games. For most of the season, the Bluejays have had one of the better defenses in the county, keeping their opponents to under 70 points per game, but over the past four games, Creighton has been giving up 83.3 points per game.

Offensively, Creighton has been led all season by three of the better players in the conference. Baylor Scheierman (18.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 4.1 apg), Ryan Kalkbrenner (17.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.7 bpg), and Trey Alexander (17.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.7 apg) all rank in the top ten Big East scoring leaders. The Bluejays have the third-best shooting percentage in the country inside the three-point arc at 60.6 percent, with no player on the roster shooting under 50 percent.

The Bluejays are a solid defensive team, holding opponents to 69.8 points per game on 41.5 percent shooting. Creighton rebounds the ball well, grabbing 38.8 per game while allowing opponents to get 33.9 rebounds per game. Creighton ranks last in the country in steals with 3.6 per game, but also ranks last in personal fouls committing just over 11 per game.

The Bluejays don’t make many mistakes on the defensive end and are always in a good position, limiting opponents' scoring opportunities. Also, it doesn’t hurt to have the reining Big East Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Kalkbrenner protecting the rim.

Butler (16-9) is looking to pick up a third win against a ranked opponent this season. The Bulldogs offense is spread pretty evenly amongst its top four scorers. Pierre Brooks (15.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg) leads the team in scoring. DJ Davis (14.2 ppg), Jahmyl Telfort (14.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg), and Posh Alexander (10.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 5.2 apg) all average double-digit points.

Butler is one of the top free throw shooting teams in the county, making 79 percent from the line on just over 18 attempts per game. On the season the Bulldogs offense is averaging over 80 points per game.

Butler has struggled defensively this season, allowing nearly 74 points to opponents. Butler is allowing opposing teams to make 43.4 percent from the floor and just over 50 perfect from inside the three-point arc. The Bulldogs have allowed 75 or more points 12 times this season going 5-7 in those games. Strangely Butler is 3-1 in games when allowing 90 or more points.

I like Creighton in this matchup. The Bluejays are one of the most efficient scoring teams in the country, and I think that will make the difference against Butler. I wouldn’t be surprised if Butler pulled off the upset against Creighton again, but the Bulldogs offense hasn’t been as powerful the past three games. The Bluejays should have enough offensive power to sneak out a win on the road.