Creighton @ Arizona State preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 20, 2016 ) Creighton 96, Arizona State 85

Two teams that could find themselves squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble in a few months meet Saturday as Creighton visits Arizona State in a crucial non-conference matchup. Creighton has won five straight following a loss to San Diego State, while Arizona State is looking to bounce back from Wednesday’s ugly 40-point loss to Saint Mary’s.

Creighton sophomore guard Marcus Zegarowski recorded 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in Tuesday’s 83-73 win over Oklahoma, which never led after the first five minutes. The Bluejays also received a spark from junior forward Denzel Mahoney, who became eligible last weekend after transferring from Southeast Missouri State and scored 14 points in his season debut against the Sooners. “He brings a great dynamic to the team,” Zegarowski told reporters. “He can shoot, he can guard one through five, he’s strong, he can makes plays off the dribble, and he plays for the team. He brings so much. He’s going to be huge for us.” Mahoney played 29 minutes in his debut and figures to play another key role against Arizona State, which is 11-1 following a loss over the past two seasons.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network

ABOUT CREIGHTON (9-2): The Bluejays’ stellar backcourt includes Ty-Shon Alexander (17.3 ppg., 6.5 rpg.), Mitch Ballock (12.9 ppg., 5.4 rpg.) and Zegarowski (19.5 ppg., 4.4 apg.), who has recorded 20 or more points in each of the past three games. The undersized squad owns a rebounding margin of minus-0.4 but dominated the boards against the taller Sooners on Tuesday and received a strong defensive effort from sophomore forward Christian Bishop, who grabbed seven rebounds in 14 minutes. The Bluejays are averaging 78.9 points but own a 1-2 record away from home this season.

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (8-3): Junior guard Alonzo Verge Jr. provided the lone bright spot in the 96-56 loss to Saint Mary’s by scoring a career-high 43 points on 18-of-29 shooting. Guards Remy Martin and Rob Edwards entered the contest averaging a combined 32 points but were held scoreless while shooting 0-of-14 from the field. Junior forward Romello White is averaging 14.0 points and 14.0 rebounds while shooting 72.7 percent from the field in his past five games for the Sun Devils, whose non-conference slate has included wins over St. John’s and Georgia along with a three-point loss to Virginia.

TIP-INS

1. Creighton recorded a 96-85 victory in the last meeting between the teams on Dec. 20, 2016 in Tempe, Ariz.

2. Arizona State is 29-6 in regular season non-conference games over the past three seasons, including 18-1 at home.

3. Creighton is 180-33 when leading at halftime under coach Greg McDermott, including 8-1 this season.

PREDICTION: Creighton 88, Arizona State 85