Creighton Bluejays vs Marquette Golden Eagles Picks and Predictions February 8th 2025

No. 11 Marquette Looks to End Skid Against Red-Hot Creighton

No. 11 Marquette finds itself in unfamiliar territory, trying to stop a two-game losing streak as it heads into a crucial Big East battle against a surging Creighton squad on Saturday afternoon in Omaha, Neb. While the Golden Eagles aim to regain their form, the Bluejays are riding an eight-game winning streak and looking to maintain their momentum in conference play.

Marquette Seeking a Reset After Back-to-Back Losses

The Golden Eagles (18-5, 9-3 Big East) have dropped two straight games, falling to No. 12 St. John’s 70-64 on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. As a result, they have slipped out of the top 10 for the first time since November and now sit in third place in the Big East standings.

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Head coach Shaka Smart emphasized the importance of growth in the face of adversity.

“Adversity reveals a necessity to grow and improve,” Smart said. “Our focus is on ourselves and what we can do to improve.”

Marquette had won three straight before hitting its current rough patch, but there have been bright spots. Chase Ross has emerged as a consistent contributor, scoring in double figures in four consecutive games for the first time in his career. He put up 16 points in the loss to St. John’s and is averaging 11.5 points per game during his recent surge.

“I’m trying to find ways to help my team win,” Ross said.

Marquette continues to be led by Kam Jones, who was recently named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award. Jones paces the team with 18.8 points and 6.0 assists per game. He played a key role in Marquette’s 79-71 victory over Creighton on Jan. 3, scoring 22 points.

Creighton’s Momentum Continues to Build

Creighton (17-6, 10-2 Big East) is playing its best basketball of the season. The Bluejays have won eight straight games since their January loss to Marquette, most recently securing a convincing 80-69 road win over Providence on Wednesday.

Leading the way for Creighton is Ryan Kalkbrenner, who dominated Providence with a season-high 35 points and 12 rebounds. The preseason Big East Player of the Year has lived up to the hype, averaging 19.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game while also anchoring the defense with 60 blocks this season.

Head coach Greg McDermott had nothing but praise for his star center after the win over Providence.

“He’s an incredible player and an even better person,” McDermott said.

Kalkbrenner was limited to 16 points on 4-for-11 shooting in the first meeting against Marquette, but he’s playing at an even higher level now. Guard Steven Ashworth has also been a difference-maker, averaging 16.6 points per game while knocking down at least one three-pointer in 41 straight contests. He finished with 23 points against Providence and has connected on 67 three-pointers this season.

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Even when his shots weren’t falling early, Kalkbrenner remained composed in Creighton’s latest win.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever started a game 0-for-5,” Kalkbrenner said. “I was missing shots I normally make, and in the past, I’d let that frustrate me. But now I know those are going to start falling for me.”

Key Matchups and Factors to Watch

• Kalkbrenner vs. Marquette’s Interior Defense – Creighton’s 7-foot-1 center is a force in the paint. Marquette will need to find a way to slow him down, especially after his dominant performance against Providence.
• Kam Jones vs. Creighton’s Backcourt – Jones led Marquette with 22 points in the first meeting. If Creighton can contain him, it will put pressure on the rest of the Golden Eagles’ offense.
• Creighton’s Perimeter Shooting – Ashworth’s three-point shooting streak is a weapon that Marquette must account for. If he gets hot, the Bluejays could take control early.
• Marquette’s Response to Adversity – After back-to-back losses, can the Golden Eagles bounce back, or will Creighton’s momentum be too much to overcome?

With both teams vying for top positioning in the Big East, this matchup has major conference implications. Creighton has been nearly unstoppable lately, but Marquette already proved it can take down the Bluejays once this season. The question is whether the Golden Eagles can do it again, this time in a hostile road environment.