PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NCAA GAME OF THE DAY >> PERFECT 4-0 in Tournament!
(NCAAB) Rhode Island vs. Creighton,
Point Spread: 0.00 | -106.00 Creighton (Home)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 0.00 | -106.00 Creighton (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: Creighton opened No. 22 in the AP's preseason poll and Rhode Island at No. 23. Creighton opened 18-1 (ranked No. 7) after beating Xavier on Jan 16 but lost star PG Maurice Watson Jr. to injury in that game. Watson was averaging 12.9 PPG and an NCAA-leading 8.5 APG. The Blue Jays finished the regular season 5-7 but then beat NCAA-bound Providence and Xavier in the big East tourney, before losing to Villanova in the title game. At 25-9, Creighton get s a No. 6 seed. Rhode Island stumbled to begin the season and was just 12-7 (4-3 in A-10) through Jan. 25. However, the Rams enter the Big Dance having won 12 of 14, including eight in a row after sweeping through (three wins) the A-10 tourney
Rhode Island: The Rams are 24-9 and a No. 11 seed, making the school's first Big Dance since 1999. Rhode Island's "Core 4" are guards Mathews (14.9 & 4.2) and Terrell (12.5) plus the 6-7 Martin (14.1 & 7.0) and the 6-9 Iverson (9.4 & 7.4). The Rams come in full of confidence and are hoping their defense can hold the Blue Jays in check. Rhode Island allows just 64.9 PPG (31st) and holds opponents to only 29.0% from three (3rd).
Creighton: The loss of Watson really hurt but wins over Providence and Xavier in the Big East tourney have allowed Creighton to regain some of its mojo. SG Foster (18.3) has been terrific plus Thomas been a nice backcourt partner, averaging 12.4 & 5.7 while also being named Big East Defensive Player of the Year. The 7-0 Patton (13.1 & 6.2) has been one of the nation's more influential freshman and the 6-8 Huff (9.2 & 3.9) has been a steady presence all season.
The pick: Both teams have played well on neutral courts, Rhode Island going 4-1 and Creighton 5-1. "We came into the tournament on a roll," Rhode Island guard Matthews told the Providence Journal. "We took care of business -- made history." I'm not sure just what "history" his team is made but the Rams' defense will be severely tested by a Creighton offense averaging 82.1 PPG (19th) on 50.8% shooting (3rd). The Bluejays are making their sixth postseason and fourth NCAA tourney appearance in Greg McDermott's seven seasons at the helm and are my 10* play in this one.
Rhode Island: The Rams are 24-9 and a No. 11 seed, making the school's first Big Dance since 1999. Rhode Island's "Core 4" are guards Mathews (14.9 & 4.2) and Terrell (12.5) plus the 6-7 Martin (14.1 & 7.0) and the 6-9 Iverson (9.4 & 7.4). The Rams come in full of confidence and are hoping their defense can hold the Blue Jays in check. Rhode Island allows just 64.9 PPG (31st) and holds opponents to only 29.0% from three (3rd).
Creighton: The loss of Watson really hurt but wins over Providence and Xavier in the Big East tourney have allowed Creighton to regain some of its mojo. SG Foster (18.3) has been terrific plus Thomas been a nice backcourt partner, averaging 12.4 & 5.7 while also being named Big East Defensive Player of the Year. The 7-0 Patton (13.1 & 6.2) has been one of the nation's more influential freshman and the 6-8 Huff (9.2 & 3.9) has been a steady presence all season.
The pick: Both teams have played well on neutral courts, Rhode Island going 4-1 and Creighton 5-1. "We came into the tournament on a roll," Rhode Island guard Matthews told the Providence Journal. "We took care of business -- made history." I'm not sure just what "history" his team is made but the Rams' defense will be severely tested by a Creighton offense averaging 82.1 PPG (19th) on 50.8% shooting (3rd). The Bluejays are making their sixth postseason and fourth NCAA tourney appearance in Greg McDermott's seven seasons at the helm and are my 10* play in this one.
