UConn vs Creighton Picks and Predictions: Huskies Hunt Down Bluejays

The Creighton Bluejays have been rallying as of late. Despite losing to Providence on the road on Saturday, Creighton has won six of its last seven games. Now, it will look for an enormous win against the UConn Huskies to get win number 20 on the regular season. 

Creighton already defeated UConn earlier this year, 59-55, but Creighton has lost a key piece this season in Ryan Nembhard, who is out with a wrist injury. Will his absence have much effect on Creighton in tonight’s game?

Here are our college basketball picks and predictions for UConn vs. Creighton on Wednesday, March 2. 

UConn vs Creighton odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The UConn Huskies opened as a 4-point favorite, despite already losing to Creighton and despite being on the road. That number has jumped from 4 to 4.5 at select outlets.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until tip-off and be sure to check out the full college basketball odds before placing your bets.

UConn vs Creighton predictions

• Prediction: UConn -4 (-110)
• Prediction: Over 135.5 (-110)
• Best bet: UConn -4 (-110)

Predictions made on 3/2/2022 at 7:45 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

UConn vs Creighton game info

• Location: CHI Health Center, Omaha, NB
• Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2022
• Tip-off: 8:30 p.m. ET
• TV: FS1

UConn at Creighton betting preview

Injuries

UConn: No injuries to report.
Creighton: Ryan Nembhard G (Out), Devin Davis G (Out), Shereef Mitchell G (Out).

Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.

Betting trend to know

Bluejays are 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall. Find more NCAA betting trends for UConn vs. Creighton .

UConn vs Creighton picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Spread analysis

The Bluejays will be without a key piece in Ryan Nembhard, who had averaged 11.3 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in his freshman season with Creighton. His injury happened on February 23 and the Bluejays have now gone 1-1 without him on the floor. 

Creighton’s offense has already been average. Without Nembhard, things are going to get more difficult. On the season, Creighton is shooting just 30.8% from long range and 54% from inside the arc. Turnovers have been high at 20.8% this season and getting to the foul line is not something the Bluejays do consistently. 

From inside the arc, Creighton has shot 54% from the field, however, it’s going to be difficult going up against Connecticut’s defense inside. UConn is holding opponents to 42.5% from inside the arc and a 45.3% effective field goal percentage. The Huskies have allowed opponents to shoot 34.3% from deep, but Creighton, despite shooting an average amount of threes, is really no threat from deep, hitting just over 30%. 

On the other hand, the Bluejays stick around in most games due to defense. Creighton has held opponents to a 45.3% effective field goal percentage and dominates inside the arc, much like UConn. 

Bluejays opponents shoot just 43.4% from inside the arc and 32.7% from beyond. The Huskies won’t shoot threes at a higher rate than Creighton, but UConn makes more 3-point shots, knocking down 36% of attempts from deep. Inside, the Huskies have not been elite, scoring just 48.4% of attempts, but overall, the big bodies are earning plenty of boards, grabbing 37.8% of offensive rebound attempts. 

While Creighton limits most teams’ foul shooting, the Huskies get to the line at an above-average rate and that could help dictate this game. 

Give me the Huskies on the road. 

Prediction: Connecticut -4 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

Inside the arc, both defenses have been elite. Creighton is allowing just 43.4% from inside while UConn is allowing 42.5% from inside the arc. This UConn-Creighton matchup went way Under the current total in its last meeting, but I’d like to think both teams will earn a solid amount of second chances in tonight’s game. 

Connecticut should be able to limit turnovers on the offensive end and have success on the offensive glass, which would give the Huskies more opportunity to score. 

On the other hand, Creighton’s an offense that could have success inside against UConn. Most teams haven’t been able to score consistently inside, but Creighton’s very capable inside the arc. 

Therefore, I’ll grab the over at 135.5.

Prediction: Over 135.5 (-110)

Best bet

In Creighton’s first full game without Nembhard, the Bluejays lost on the road by 21. I don’t think tonight’s game will be a 21-point blowout but I do think Creighton might start to fall apart down the stretch without its big-time freshman at point guard. 

Take UConn here. 

Pick: UConn -4 (-110)

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