Kansas basketball vs Creighton prediction: 3 things to think about as matchup nears

Posted by Admin December 3, 2024 Basketball

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LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball will go up against Creighton on Wednesday, in the Big 12-Big EAST Battle, in what will also be the Jayhawks’ first true road test of the season.

This will be the first time the two sides have played since KU topped the Bluejays during the 2022 NCAA tournament, on the way to coach Bill Self’s latest national championship. No. 1 Kansas (7-0) will look to remain undefeated this season. Creighton (5-3) will look to regain some momentum after losing three of its last four games.

Here are a few things to think about, as well as a prediction, prior to the 7:30 p.m. (CT)-scheduled tip-off on Wednesday in Omaha, Nebraska:

Kansas basketball’s Hunter Dickinson addresses his ejection during win against Duke

Bill Self explains the challenge Creighton presents

Although Creighton hasn’t been shooting 3s as well as Self thinks the Bluejays are capable of yet this season, at 31.4% so far as a team from behind the arc, he still highlighted that as something it will be important for Kansas to defend. It’s something that is a significant part of Creighton’s offense, and Self isn’t looking to be caught off guard if the Bluejays continue to go to that — especially considering the talent of their lead trio of guards. It’s just one element of the game Wednesday, on top of the fact Creighton will be operating with home-court advantage.

Bluejays senior center Ryan Kalkbrenner, one of the best players in his conference in recent seasons, did not play in his team’s most recent game. Self, who noted he isn’t sure if Kalkbrenner will play, outlined though that the Jayhawks are preparing as if Kalkbrenner will participate in the game. It would be a key matchup between Kalkbrenner and KU graduate center Hunter Dickinson, as Dickinson and the Jayhawks attempt to battle Kalkbrenner’s ability to score, block shots and more.

Kansas’ respect for Ryan Kalkbrenner is clear

Kalkbrenner is an experienced big-man who is averaging 18.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and three blocks per game. Self praised how much Kalkbrenner has improved over time. Self joked it will be like two dinosaurs going against each other, because of how much time Kalkbrenner and Dickinson have spent in college, and added they both are projected All-Americans.

Dickinson said he’s excited to go up against Kalkbrenner, hopefully at least. Dickinson also considers the two of them among the best big-men in the nation. Dickinson explained Creighton excels in how it uses Kalkbrenner.

Bill Self addresses health status of Shakeel Moore

Kansas graduate guard Shakeel Moore made a couple of appearances earlier this season, with limited minutes, as he made his way back from an offseason injury. Those were mid-November games at home against Oakland and UNCW. But Moore hasn’t played since, and the way Self talked about Moore on Monday it looks like it could be some time before Moore will be able to return.

Self didn’t provide a definitive answer as to whether a medical redshirt was possible or not, because it’s unclear how Moore will be feeling a month from now. But Self did outline they recruited Moore as a transfer from Mississippi State because they saw a role for Moore this season. There’s disappointment, of course, that Moore’s recovery process hasn’t reached a point where Moore feels like he can contribute.

Kansas basketball vs Creighton prediction

Considering this is Kansas’ first true road test, the Jayhawks could have to go through some growing pains on Wednesday. Although Creighton has endured its own struggles this season to date, it’s still a team that features a lot of talent. But KU should be able to come away from this matchup undefeated, with an 80-71 win.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.