Villanova Wildcats vs Creighton Bluejays Picks and Predictions February 1st 2025

Creighton Looks to Complete Season Sweep Against Villanova

Creighton has been one of the hottest teams in the Big East since its first meeting with Villanova, and the Bluejays will look to extend their strong play when they visit the Wildcats for a Saturday showdown in Villanova, Pa.

Creighton’s Surge Since First Meeting

The Bluejays (15-6, 8-2 Big East) have won eight of their last nine games since defeating Villanova 86-79 on Dec. 21. In that victory, Ryan Kalkbrenner led the way with 23 points, while Steven Ashworth had a 20-point, 11-assist double-double. Creighton’s offensive efficiency was on full display as they shot 55.4% from the field and 14-of-25 from three-point range.

Since that game, Creighton has looked like a legitimate Big East contender, bouncing back from early-season struggles to position itself near the top of the conference standings.

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Villanova’s Recent Struggles

Meanwhile, Villanova (12-9, 5-5 Big East) has struggled, dropping four of its last five games. In their most recent outing, the Wildcats fell 87-74 at No. 10 Marquette despite a career-high 27 points from Jordan Longino.

One key takeaway from that loss was how Marquette defended Eric Dixon, the nation’s leading scorer at 24.6 points per game. Dixon was held to 18 points, and head coach Kyle Neptune acknowledged Marquette’s physicality as a factor.

“They did a good job of doing what they do. They attacked him, were physical with him in the post, took away space and were aggressive,” Neptune said. “I thought they set the tone that way.”

Creighton will certainly aim to apply a similar defensive strategy to slow down Dixon, who scored 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting in the first meeting.

Kalkbrenner’s Dominance

Creighton’s success has been fueled by Ryan Kalkbrenner, who is playing some of the best basketball of his career. The 7-foot-1 senior has been dominant in his last two games, averaging 26.0 points on 77.8% shooting.

In Wednesday’s 86-77 win over Xavier, Kalkbrenner exploded for 29 points, marking his highest scoring total since his 49-point outburst on Opening Night against UT Rio Grande Valley.

Head coach Greg McDermott has praised Kalkbrenner’s continued development.

“Just his development, it’s been so much fun to be part of,” McDermott said. “His ears are wide open. He wants to learn. He wants to get better. He wants to grow. He’s continued to add things to his game. … It’s been an absolute honor to coach him.”

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Ryan Kalkbrenner vs. Eric Dixon
   • The battle between two of the top big men in the Big East will be pivotal. If Kalkbrenner continues his efficiency and Creighton can limit Dixon’s impact, the Bluejays will have the upper hand.
2. Creighton’s Perimeter Shooting vs. Villanova’s Defense
   • In the first meeting, Creighton hit 14 threes while shooting over 55% from the field. Villanova will need to contest more shots and force Creighton into tougher looks.
3. Villanova’s Ability to Close Games
   • The Wildcats have struggled in crunch time recently, and against a disciplined Creighton team, they must execute in the final minutes to pull off the win.

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What to Expect

Creighton has been playing some of its best basketball since its first win over Villanova, while the Wildcats have been inconsistent. Villanova has the talent to make this a competitive game, but they will need to tighten up defensively and contain Creighton’s high-powered offense.

Can the Bluejays complete the season sweep and continue their hot streak, or will Villanova find a way to bounce back at home? Saturday’s matchup will provide the answer.