Creighton Bluejays vs Uconn Huskies Picks and Predictions March 14th 2025

Creighton Looks to Top UConn, Play for Long-Awaited Big East Title

Ryan Kalkbrenner has had one goal all season—winning the Big East Championship. The Creighton center is now one step closer, but to reach the final, the second-seeded Bluejays must get past third-seeded UConn in Friday’s semifinal showdown at Madison Square Garden.

Kalkbrenner Leading the Charge

Creighton (23-9) has won three straight games, with the 7-foot-1 Kalkbrenner dominating the stretch, scoring 79 points over that span. He was the difference-maker in Thursday’s 85-81 double-overtime quarterfinal win over DePaul, pouring in 32 points while playing 47 minutes.

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“Like I’ve been saying ever since I decided to come back for another year, I haven’t gotten the Big East Championship yet,” Kalkbrenner said. “I really, really, really want this championship, and I’m going to play my butt off to get it.”

Creighton erased an eight-point deficit in the first overtime before Kalkbrenner hit the go-ahead shot in double OT, keeping the Bluejays’ title hopes alive.

UConn Hitting Its Stride

The Huskies (23-9) appear to be peaking at the perfect time, seeking their second straight Big East title as part of their quest for another national championship.

UConn has won five straight games by an average of 16 points, including a 73-56 quarterfinal win over Villanova on Thursday.

“It’s March,” UConn forward Alex Karaban said. “We’re desperate for championships here, so we want to play our best basketball right now. There’s no better time.”

Karaban led the way with 18 points, including 15 in the second half, and has shot 50% from three-point range during the winning streak.

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Regular-Season Battles Were Close

The teams split their regular-season matchups, each winning on the road. Creighton claimed a 68-63 victory at UConn on Jan. 18 behind Jamiya Neal’s career-high 24 points. The Huskies answered with a 70-66 win in Omaha on Feb. 11, powered by freshman Liam McNeeley’s 38-point explosion.

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Despite Creighton’s win over UConn earlier this season, the Huskies’ defensive scheme has made life difficult for Kalkbrenner, limiting him to just 18 combined points in the two meetings.

UConn Coach Dan Hurley Knows the Challenge Ahead

UConn coach Dan Hurley understands how tough it is to go up against Creighton’s defensive setup, particularly with Kalkbrenner anchoring the paint.

“That defensive scheme is really challenging,” Hurley said. “There are opportunities in the paint, but they’re tougher shots. What he is as a defensive player is obviously going to be a challenge.”