Creighton and Providence Set for Big East Showdown

Get ready for some Big East action as the Creighton Bluejays host the Providence Friars on Tuesday night in Omaha. Both teams are coming into this game with plenty to prove, and their stars are shining bright.

Creighton’s Star Power: Kalkbrenner and Ashworth

Ryan Kalkbrenner is on Fire:

• If you’ve been following Creighton, you know Ryan Kalkbrenner is the guy. He dropped 26 points, grabbed nine boards, and blocked six shots in Saturday’s win over Butler. Over his last three games, he’s been a beast—putting up 58 points, 30 rebounds, and 11 blocks.
• Bonus: Before tip-off, Kalkbrenner will be honored for hitting 2,000 career points.

Steven Ashworth Doing it All:

• Ashworth was all over the place against Butler with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists.
• Sure, his 3-point shooting has been off lately (1-for-13 against Marquette), but he nailed a clutch one against Butler. His mindset? “Shooters keep shooting.”

Providence is Heating Up

Bensley Joseph Stepping Up:

• Joseph has been a spark off the bench, shooting 15-of-23 over the last two games. Against Seton Hall, he exploded for 28 points, including seven 3-pointers.

Oswin Erhunmwunse Making an Impact:

• Erhunmwunse recorded his first career double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks against Seton Hall. He’s been a big factor on both ends of the floor.

Turning Things Around:

• After a rough stretch where they lost eight of 10 games, the Friars have won two straight and are starting to find their groove.

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What to Watch For:

1. Big Men Battle:
   • Kalkbrenner’s dominance inside meets Erhunmwunse’s defensive intensity. Expect plenty of action in the paint.
2. Ashworth’s Shooting Touch:
   • Can Ashworth break out of his shooting slump? If he gets hot from 3, Creighton could be tough to beat.
3. Providence’s Bench Magic:
   • With Joseph and Erhunmwunse bringing energy off the bench, Providence’s depth could be a game-changer.

Why This Game Matters:

Creighton is looking for its fourth win in five games to stay competitive in the Big East standings, while Providence is hoping to keep its turnaround going with a third straight victory.

With both teams featuring key players hitting their stride, this is shaping up to be a must-watch battle.