Creighton @ Butler preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 25, 2019 ) Butler 61, Creighton 75

The big question surrounding No. 10 Butler's Big East matchup with Creighton on Saturday in Indianapolis is the status of Kamar Baldwin. The senior guard suffered an ankle injury in Tuesday night's 60-58 victory at St. John's and is considered a game-time decision.

Baldwin returned to Tuesday's game after sustaining the injury and helped Butler pull out a victory after blowing a 23-point lead, but has undergone continual treatment and been held out of practice since. Coach LaVall Jordan said Baldwin, averaging a team-leading 14.3 points and three assists this season, and 25.5 points in two games last season against Creighton, will play if he receives medical clearance. Jordan missed Friday's practice as Butler prepared for Creighton to attend the funeral in Milwaukee for his grandmother, Lavelle Jordan, who died Dec. 22 at age 87. The Bluejays have won eight consecutive games, the latest a 92-75 victory at home Jan. 1 over Marquette in their Big East opener.

TIME: Noon ET. TV: Fox Sports 1

ABOUT CREIGHTON (12-2, 1-0 Big East): Guards Marcus Zegarowski (18.3 points, 4.9 assists per game), Ty-Shon Alexander (16.8 points, 43.3 percent 3-point shooting) and Mitch Ballock (13.1 points, 45.7 percent on 3s) produce 61.2 percent of the Bluejays' scoring. Denzel Mahoney (12.0 points), a junior transfer from Southeast Missouri State, became eligible in December and has scored in double figures in each of the three games he has played. While Creighton averages nearly 80 points per game, its liability is rebounding and defending inside because of a lack of size (no player taller than 6-7 sees significant playing time).

ABOUT BUTLER (13-1, 1-0): If Baldwin does not play, that would leave Sean McDermott as the only player averaging in double figures at 11.4 points per game. Junior forward Jordan Tucker would be a likely replacement for Baldwin after starting one game this season and averaging 8.7 points. The Bulldogs have won four in a row since a 53-52 loss at No. 4 Baylor on Dec. 10 that remains the only blemish on their record.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Only four of 14 opponents have reached 60 points against Butler, which ranked fourth nationally entering Friday in points allowed at 53.9 points per game, and 14th in field-goal percentage defense (37.1).

2. McDermott posted his first career double-double in the win over St. John's with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and has made two or more 3-pointers in six consecutive games.

3. Ballock ranked 15th in the nation in 3-point shooting accuracy at 45.7 percent and tied for 20th in 3-pointers made with 43.

PREDICTION: Butler 62, Creighton 59