Updated San Diego State vs. Creighton Odds, Spread, Pick & Predictions for 2022 NCAA Tournament

by BettingPros Staff |
Mar 14, 2022

San Diego State Aztecs vs. Creighton Blue Jays 2022 NCAA Tournament Game Preview

Check Out the Best 2022 March Madness Sportsbook Offers for the Game >>

Use our Bracket Optimizer to create the perfect bracket! >>

San Diego State Aztecs vs. Creighton Blue Jays B Match Up Overview

	San Diego State	Creighton
Conference	MWC	Big East
W-L	23-8	22-11
AdjEM	22nd	53rd
AdjO	155th	125th
AdjD	2nd	18th
Tempo	268th	190th
eFG%	237th	131st
TO%	236th	305th
OR%	127th	162nd
FTR	141st	298th
DeFG%	5th	12th
DTO%	29th	327th
DR%	123rd	197th
DFTR	189th	4th
Luck	147th	25th

Stats via KenPom.

Check out all of our 2022 March Madness Coverage >>

San Diego State Preview

San Diego State has to be one of the most intriguing teams in the nation. Their top-ranked defense has suffocated some teams. They beat Colorado State 79-49, held Saint Mary's to 53 points, and handled Fresno State on the road.

The Aztecs went 9-1 to round out the regular season and had ample top-75 wins. This is a team that will be difficult to prepare for, because a defense as prolific as the Aztecsâ€™ cannot exactly be replicated in practice.

Brian Dutcher's team slows down the pace and allows essentially nothing inside the arc. While the Aztecs can keep up with nearly every team in the nation, I am not exactly sure how high their ceiling is given their 150th-ranked offense. They shoot above average from deep, but that might not be enough.

Creighton Blue Jays Preview

Essentially the Alabama of the Big East, Creighton has had some serious peaks and valleys. I'm talking from Mount Everest to the ocean floor. They've had losses by 20-plus points and wins by 20-plus points â€¦ to the same team. After losing to Providence 72-51 in the regular season, Creighton crushed Providence 85-58 in the Big East tournament.

Despite their inconsistencies, the Blue Jaysâ€™ recent form is promising, as they rank 36th in the momentum metric despite a 315th consistency metric. Their interior defense is one of the best in the nation, and they are consistent at limiting fouls.

Despite showing promise to finish the season, Creighton still has too many issues to be trusted. Their star, Ryan Nembhard, is out for the season, and Creighton already had a serious lack of depth â€“ ranking 323rd in the nation in bench minutes.

Quick turnarounds and little preparation do not favor Creighton. The loss of Nembhard and their inability to take care of the ball do not bode well for a tournament run. I see the Sweet 16 as their ceiling and can easily see them losing their first game.

Rapid Prediction for San Diego State Aztecs vs. Creighton Blue Jays

If you like old-school basketball where two extremely smart coaches put their defensive-minded teams in a position to win, this is the game for you. The Aztecs are the nationâ€™s second-ranked defense in terms of efficiency, and the selection committee did a nice job of finding them a counterpart that can score with them, as well as defend with them. Enter the Blue Jays of Creighton. Greg McDermott will have his players ready for this matchup, and they will like having a size advantage, which they have had in most games. Will the Aztecs be able to contain Creighton C Ryan Kalkbrenner? They have a capable center in their own right in Nathan Mensah, but the Aztecs will need to rebound well as a team to have a chance here. I think they can, but give me the under, as this game can very well end with both teams in the low 50s.

San Diego State Aztecs vs. Creighton Blue Jays Round 1 Game Pick

Under 119.5

Win prizes playing our free March Madness Bracket Contest >>

Navigate