Sweet 16. CREIGHTON vs GONZAGA

[gtmoBlue]

While I don't expect to see 20 Wraggebombs from the Jays, I do expect them to play well offensively. I believe their defense is the key that wins
this game for Creighton. Jays play very good D, controls the pace, hold the dawgs shot % down, and force TOs.

As for Vegas, the media pundits, and all the "experts" - This is gtmoBlue, Creighton's favorite stepson, here to say I've got you covered.

Creighton 79 - Dawgs 75 While not the biggest upset, history is preserved (no new undefeated champ), order is restored in the Galaxy, and
CU's all-time record vs the Zags moves to 5-4. (Note: Zags have won the last 2 games (2017, 2018) to tie the series.)

[dakphonics]

It's going to be tough. Length and size had frustrated this team (see Georgetown) and Gonzaga has the advantage there at 3 positions. Temme is a load at Center, and he's really mobile too. Kispert is a 6-7 3 Pt. specialist, but can score from anywhere. Jalen Suggs has 2'' and 25 lb on Zegarowski, and is a 1 and done talent. Zegarowski is a better college PG at this point in his career, but Suggs has a nice size advantage.

Possible keys to the game:
REBOUNDING
Gonzaga is more efficient on offense. In fact they are the most efficient in the country. So we need to have a nose for rebounds, and not focus as much on the transition game. The only team so far this season that we've played that had a more efficient offense than us was Villanova, so it should be no surprise that Creighton is 13-0 when out-rebounding their opponents. Against a smattering of much less efficient offenses this season Creighton was just 9-8 when losing the rebounding margin. We lost the rebounding margin in every loss this season. If we lose the rebounding margin against a more potent offense it is not likely to be a positive result.

KEEP THE BIGS ON THE FLOOR
Temme is such a load, and we won't keep him from scoring, but Bishop especially, and Kalk both need to stay out of foul trouble. If our bigs get in trouble Temme is going to eat us alive.

LOCK UP KISPERT
Defense will be important all over, but it's especially important at the 4. Mahoney needs to ride Kispert hard and try to hold him to under his average.

NEED SCORING FROM OUR GUARDS
If Bishop is our best offensive player not named Zegarowski in this game, we are going to lose. We need more scoring to come from guard play: both Ballock and Jefferson.

The offense needs to setup Ballock for success. He's a much better 3 Pt. shooter than Mahoney with much better averages, yet Mahoney often gets the assist from Ballock instead of the other way around. Mahoney is going to likely have a longer defender on him most of the game. This needs to go the other way. Ballock is going to be defended probably by Ayayi who is athletic, but from a size perspective it's the best matchup Creighton is going to have for perimeter shooting. Ballock needs to have a great game and not pass up good shots. He needs to let it fly and have the chips fall where they may.

The Jefferson/Nembhardt matchup could be key. Jefferson seems prime for a big game.

CONTROL TEMPO
Gonzaga has scored under 75 points exactly one time this season (74 points) in a victory over St. Mary's who's adjusted defensive rating is 11. Looking at their games against power conference schools... yikes! They average more than they do against their WCC opponents... A staggering 93.8 points per game. Unless Gonzaga has a really off night I don't see us boat racing them. Dang we could really have used Tyshon for this one.

I could be wrong, but if ever there was a time for the Jays to intentionally try to slow the game down this might be the one. I don't think Mac will do that.

[kayako]

Possible keys to the game:
REBOUNDING
Gonzaga is more efficient on offense. In fact they are the most efficient in the country. So we need to have a nose for rebounds, and not focus as much on the transition game. The only team so far this season that we've played that had a more efficient offense than us was Villanova, so it should be no surprise that Creighton is 13-0 when out-rebounding their opponents. Against a smattering of much less efficient offenses this season Creighton was just 9-8 when losing the rebounding margin. We lost the rebounding margin in every loss this season. If we lose the rebounding margin against a more potent offense it is not likely to be a positive result.

It'll be interesting if McDermott can come up with a lineup that can keep Gonzaga possessions one and done while still aggressively looking for transition opportunities. That and an acceptable shooting probably keeps the game close.

[Omaha1]

Possible keys to the game:
REBOUNDING
Gonzaga is more efficient on offense. In fact they are the most efficient in the country. So we need to have a nose for rebounds, and not focus as much on the transition game. The only team so far this season that we've played that had a more efficient offense than us was Villanova, so it should be no surprise that Creighton is 13-0 when out-rebounding their opponents. Against a smattering of much less efficient offenses this season Creighton was just 9-8 when losing the rebounding margin. We lost the rebounding margin in every loss this season. If we lose the rebounding margin against a more potent offense it is not likely to be a positive result.

It'll be interesting if McDermott can come up with a lineup that can keep Gonzaga possessions one and done while still aggressively looking for transition opportunities. That and an acceptable shooting probably keeps the game close.

It’s a big ask for sure. That said, we played Gonzaga each of the previous two season prior to last year and led both games at halftime. I think this CU team feels like they know what needs to be done and are confident. No one is giving us a chance, so let’s throw some haymakers and see who buckles.

[Django]

Shame on the big East for making the egregious error of omitting THE BISHOP, but it’s not the first time he’s been overlooked. Here’s a nice story on my man. This avatar bet is painful but I’ll gladly be a martyr for this dude!!

https://omaha.com/sports/college/creigh ... 8b2dd.html

[Omaha1]

And then there was one. Last big east team standing. Hopefully we can represent the conference tomorrow and shock the world.

[Omaha1]

Zags -13.5
O/U 158.5
Jays +750 ML

Thoughts?

[Django]

Zags -13.5
O/U 158.5
Jays +750 ML

Thoughts?

I’d take the Zags to cover in a second. They hung 98 on Virginia for crissake.

A blowout wouldn’t surprise or me tbh, a win would be so incredibly awesome and shocking to everyone, but I’m not drinking the Blue Koolaid any more in March.

[Omaha1]

Mark Few is apparently concerned about MItch “Blaylock”.. he said so two times. My head tells me no way CU can hang with Gonzaga, but my heart says the Jays can get hot.

[sju88grad]

Let’s go Jays!!!!!