Butler visits Creighton tonight in the first of two matchups between the programs this season. Both are in need of a Big East win to keep pace with first-place UConn. Creighton is just two games back, while Butler trails by four.
Butler has an 10-11 record against the spread, but after a tough start to conference play, they have won their last three matchups. Over those three wins, they have covered twice, and their offense has been improving recently. The Bulldogs have hit the OVER seven times in the last nine contests.
While Creighton shares a 10-11 record against the spread this season, they have not covered many contests lately. They have won seven of their last eight games but have only covered the spread three times. Like Butler, their offense is peaking these days, as their last three games have hit the OVER for total points.
Here is the Butler vs. Creighton betting news, team props and a betting prediction for tonight's Big East matchup. The game tips off at 9 p.m. on FS1.
Live odds for Butler vs. Creighton
Here are the spread, moneyline and total points live odds for Butler vs. Creighton at the best online sportsbooks.
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Butler Bulldogs betting news
With the Butler offense playing at its best recently, they have climbed the Kenpom rankings, reaching the top 50 and ranking 47th for adjusted efficiency. Their defense could improve, though, as it ranks 82nd for adjusted efficiency. It has come playing against the 38th-ranked strength of schedule.
The Bulldog offense, led by four players averaging double figures, has seen Michigan State transfer Pierre Brooks have a breakout season that never happened for him in East Lansing. He leads the team scoring 16.6 PPG and is a lethal three-point shooter, making 43.2% of his attempts from beyond the ark. He also shoots 47.4% from the field, a solid number for a high-scoring guard.
He has a strong supporting cast of guards around him as well, with Jahmyl Telfort (13.9 PPG), DJ Davis (13.6 PPG) and Posh Alexander (11.4 PPG) making up their other double-digit scorers. The two areas of concern: None of those other guards behind Brooks are better than 43.5% from the field or better than 36.2% from three, and the team's frontcourt production is severely lacking.
Jalen Thomas (6.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG) and Andre Screen (6.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG) provide some rebounding but do not contribute many points most nights. They are efficient scorers as Thomas shoots 55.4% and Screen shoots 60% from the field, but they are coming in minimal opportunities. It would be wise of Butler to get their post players more touches, taking away from some of their inefficient guards.
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Creighton Bluejays betting news
Other than their two-game losing streak at the start of Big East play, the Blue Jays have been very consistent this season. Even during that two-game skid, both defeats came by five points or less. Creighton has proved they are every bit as good as the top teams in the Big East and are in the thick of the race for the regular season conference championship.
Their offense is solid, ranking 39th on Kenpom for adjusted efficiency, and their defense is one of the best in the nation, ranking 12th for adjusted efficiency. They have also played a gauntlet of very tough competition with the 37th-ranked strength of schedule. The Bluejays can win games on either side of the floor.
Their defense can be suffocating, but they also have a strong contingent of producers on offense. They boast three players scoring over 16 points per game. Leading scorer Baylor Scheierman (17.8 PPG) does it all for the Bluejays, leading the team in rebounds (8.1 RPG) and is also second on the team in assists (3.8 APG).
His backcourt mate, Trey Alexander (17.0 PPG), can light it up on any given night and is a strong defender. Last but not least, Ryan Kalkbrenner is one of the best centers in college basketball, averaging 16.6 PPG and 7.7 rebounds. He's also a great rim protector, first in the country with 2.6 blocks a game.
Butler vs. Creighton team props at FanDuel Sportsbook
Here are some of the top team prop markets for Butler vs. Creighton from FanDuel Sportsbook.
- 1st half moneyline: Butler (+260) vs. Creighton (-340)
- 1st half spread: Butler +5.5 (-114) vs. Creighton -5.5 (-106)
- 1st half point total: 69.5 points OVER (-112) / UNDER (-112)
- Butler total team points: 68.5 points OVER (-118) / UNDER (-104)
- Creighton total team points: 79.5 points OVER (-102) / UNDER (-120)
- Two or more three-point field goals in the first three minutes of the game: YES (+140) / NO (-180)
- Both teams to score in the first two minutes: YES (-245) / NO (+186)
- Total points in the first minute of the game: 2.5 points OVER (+104) / UNDER (-138)
Butler vs. Creighton prediction: Creighton handles business on home floor
The Bulldogs and Bluejays are playing great offense. The two keys to tonight's matchup are the home-court advantage for Creighton and their defensive abilities. Creighton and Butler can both score, but if the Bluejays can get stops on defense they should win convincingly.
Pick: Creighton
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