The 6th-seeded Creighton Bluejays get set to take on the upstart 5th-seeded San Diego State Aztecs in the South Region of the Elite 8 on Sunday afternoon inside the KFC Yumi Center in Louisville, Kentucky. They jump it up at 2:20 pm and the Bluejays enter as a slim two-point favorite. This is going to be a great game to watch and just sit back because it will be entertaining.
The Bluejays (24-12) have really come together as a team and it was very evident the last time they stepped on the floor as they pulled away from a very gritty and talented Princeton team, 86-75, in the Sweet 16 on Friday night to advance to Sunday's contest with the right to get into the Final Four.
Against Princeton, the Bluejays had two players both net 20 plus points in the win as junior center Ryan Kalkbrenner led the way with 22 points and that was good enough for a team-high in the win. He played really well, as he was able to find his mid range shot early in the game. They really rely on his ability to post up and get open and against San Diego State look for him to get a ton of touches and opportunities.
Creighton had a tough time pulling away from the Tigers and they could not allow the Aztecs to stay within striking distance. They need to try to put them away early. They average close to 77 points a contest and on the defense they only allow 68 points on defense.
The Aztecs (30-6) have put together a great season and their magical run continued as they upset heavy favorite and top-seeded Alabama on Friday night to get to this point. On defense, the Aztecs did a great job of controlling and containing Brandon Miller, who really struggled for the Crimson Tide as he ended with just nine points on 3-of-19 shooting from the floor. He seemed to play out of sync and it played right into the hands of San Diego State, who really played a great game on defense.
On offense, the Aztecs were paced by senior guard Darrion Trammell, who scored a team-high 21 points in the upset win. He connected on 9-of-16 from the floor and the interior defense did the rest. They will need that same type of effort against Creighton who can dominate at times inside the paint.
The Bluejays are 3-2 in their last five games and 3-2 in their last five games against the spread and just 7-8 in their road games against the spread. The totals have gone over in four of their last five games and nine of their last 18 games at home.
San Diego State is 15-17 against the spread this season and the Aztecs are 4-1 in their last five games and 3-2 in their last five games against the number and 5-7 in their road games against the spread too. The total does not seem to be in play here and we like the under.
