#24 Creighton Blue Jays at Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Donald Reynolds Center – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Monday, December 19, 2011, 8:00 pm Eastern, No TV
Opening Line: Creighton -3
Current Line: Creighton -3 1/2
Opening Total: 139 1/2
Current Total: 140
Opening Money Line: Creighton -145 / Tulsa +125
Current Money Line: Creighton -155 / Tulsa +135
The #24 Creighton Blue Jays are 8-1 this season as they travel to former Missouri Valley Conference rival the Tulsa Golden Hurricane who are 5-6 this season. Creighton is coached by Doug McDermott. The only loss for the Blue Jays came at St Joseph’s last week. Creighton has wins over UAB, Iowa, San Diego St, and Nebraska.
Tulsa is coached by Doug Wojcik, and was projected to be one of the best teams in Conference USA. However, the Golden Hurricane has struggled with a very tough schedule. Tulsa has losses to Northwestern and St. Joseph’s in the Charleston Classic, at Missouri St and Oklahoma St, and home against Arizona St and Wichita St. Tulsa lost to Wichita St by 10 but every other loss was by 5 points or less. The best win for Tulsa is over Western Kentucky in Charleston. Tulsa beat Texas Arlington Saturday in overtime to snap a 4 game losing streak. Tulsa leads the series 43-32 including 28-10 in Tulsa. The two teams haven’t played since Tulsa left the MVC in 2000.
Creighton is outscoring opponents 86-69 this season The Blue Jays are shooting 50.8% from the field, including 43.3% from 3 point range. Creighton makes 68% of their free throws. The Blue Jays average 38 rebounds a game, with a rebounding margin of +4.9. Creighton averages 21.2 assists, 12.7 turnovers, 7 steals, and 2.3 blocks a game. Blue Jay opponents are shooting 43.3% from the field, including 34.7% from 3 point range. Creighton forces 14.7 turnovers a game.
Coach’s son Doug McDermott averages 24.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1 assist a game. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding. McDermott makes 55.3% of his 3 point shots. Antoine Young averages 9.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1 steal a game. Gregory Echenique averages 9.2 rebounds, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks a game to lead the team. Jahenns Manigat averages 8.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals a game to lead the team. Grant Gibbs averages 7.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.8 steals a game. He leads the team in assists and steals. Ethan Wragge averages 7.8 points, and 3.4 rebounds. Besides Center Echinique all of the top scorers make at least 36.4% of their 3 point attempts.
Tulsa is outscoring opponents 66-63 this season. The Golden Hurricane are shooting 43.3% from the field including 37% from 3 point range. Tulsa makes 65.2% of their free throws. Tulsa averages 38.7 rebounds a game, and has a rebounding margin of +7.9. The Hurricane average 10.7 assists, 15.3 turnovers, 4.9 steals, and 5.5 blocks a game. Tulsa opponents are shooting 39.9% from the field including 34.6% from 3 point range. Tulsa forces 11.9 turnovers a game.
Tulsa guard Jordan Clarkson averages 15.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 0.9 steals a game. He leads the team in scoring and assists, and is tied for the team lead in steals. Scottie Haralson averages 12.5 points and 2.1 rebounds. Steven Idlet averages 10.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks a game. Kodi Maduka averages 7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounds and blocks. Tim Peete averages 2.4 assists and 0.9 steals a game.
Tulsa is 4-4 against the spread and the total is 5-3 this season. Creighton is 4-1 ATS and the total is 3-1-1 this season. The Blue Jays are 4-0 ATS after scoring 90 points or more, 9-1 as a favorite, 5-1 in non-conference games, 4-1 after a straight up win, and a as a favorite of 6.5 points or less, 19-7 overall, 13-5 in Monday games, and after a straight up win of 20 points or more, and 15-7 in road games. The Golden Hurricane are 5-2 after a straight up win, 8-17-1 at home, 1-4 as an underdog of 6.5 points or less, and 4-19-3 at home against teams with winning road records.
Tulsa is more comfortable playing in the 60’s and Creighton is more comfortable playing in the 70’s or 80’s. If Tulsa wants to win, they can’t get into a track meet with the high octane Blue Jays. I don’t think they can and Creihgton should win by double digits. A spread of 3.5 points is a pretty good bargain for Creighton even on the road.
