Creighton Bluejays (9-4) at St. John's Red Storm (7-6)

College Basketball: Thursday, December 31, 2015 at 2:00 pm (Carnesecca Arena)

The Creighton Blue Jays will travel to Carnesecca Arena to take on the St. John’s Red Storm this Thursday afternoon in College Basketball action.

The Creighton Blue Jays won their 2nd straight game and improved to 9-4 on the season after defeating the Coppin State Eagles, 102-77, this past Monday, December 21st. 

The Blue Jays had their offensive flowing in this one and had little trouble getting the victory after taking a 56-36 lead at halftime. 

Creighton shot an impressive 60.7% from the field and 52.2% (12-23) from beyond the arc in the victory. 

The Blue Jays held the Eagles to 42.4% shooting from the field and was outrebounded by Coppin State by a 42-20 margin. 

Leading the way for Creighton was Geoffrey Groselle who had 16 points on 8-8 shooting while pulling down 9 rebounds and blocking 2 shots. 

On the season, the Blue Jays have been led by Maurice Watson Jr. (12.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 6.4 apg), Geoffrey Groselle (12.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.5 bpg), and Cole Huff (11.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg). 

Offensively, Creighton is averaging 87.4 ppg on 50.6% shooting from the field and 40.1% shooting from beyond the arc. 

The Blue Jays average 9.3 three-pointers per game and have an assist/turnover ratio of 1.58. 

Defensively, Creighton is allowing their opponents to average 75.2 ppg on 44.0% shooting. 

The Blue Jays have a rebound margin of 4.8 and a turnover margin of 1.6.

The St. John’s Red Storm lost their 3rd consecutive game and dropped to 7-6 (0-0) on the season after losing to the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks, 75-61, on December 22nd. 

St. John’s grabbed an early lead in this one but allowed South Carolina to go on a 24-6 run in the first half to fall behind 40-34 at halftime and couldn’t get much offensive going in the 2nd half to pull out a win. 

St. John’s shot 44.9% from the field and was outrebounded by South Carolina by a 43-26 margin. 

The Red Storm allowed the Gamecocks to shoot 47.4% from the field and 53.8% (7-13) from beyond the arc. 

Leading the way for St. John’s was Durand Johnson who had 16 points, 5 rebounds, and an assist. 

On the season, the Red Storm have been led by Federico Mussini (14.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.7 apg), Durand Johnson (11.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.2 spg), and Yankuba Sima (8.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.5 bpg).

Offensviely, St. John’s is averaging 66.8 ppg on 41.8% shooting from the field and 33.1% shooting from three-point range. 

The Red Storm average 6.3 three-pointers per game and have an assist/turnover ratio of 0.86. 

Defensively, St. John’s is allowing their opponents to average 70.2 ppg on 41.4% shooting from the field. 

The Red Storm average 6.5 bpg and have a turnover margin of -2.2.

The Bluejays are 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. Big East opponents and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. 

The Red Storm are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game and 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall.

Creighton has been outstanding on the offensive end as they rank in the top 25 in scoring offensive (6th), FG% (13th), and 3P FG% (23rd). 

St. John’s got the head coach they wanted in Chris Mullen, however, the Red Storm is currently in rebuilding mode and has struggled mightily on the offensive end. 

St. John’s should be able to find some scoring against the Blue Jays suspect defense, but the Red Storm have allowed their opponents to average 77 ppg and I think the Blue Jays will have a big offensive night and cover this spread. 

Take Creighton to cover.