Creighton @ Marquette preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 9, 2019 ) Marquette 106, Creighton 104

All that remains between Marquette and its first-ever outright Big East title is a three-game stretch against opponents it has already beaten, two of which are at home. The ninth-ranked Golden Eagles begin the quest of trying to maintain their one-half game conference lead and host the first of those contests Sunday when they look to complete a regular-season sweep of Creighton.

Marquette missed out on its chance to secure both a share of the Big East title and the top seed in the conference tournament following Thursday's 67-61 loss at Villanova, which pulled into a virtual tie for first place with Saturday's win over Butler but has only one game left to play. The Golden Eagles, whose only Big East title came when it earned a three-way share of first place in 2012-13, close out the regular season with Creighton, Seton Hall and Georgetown. The Bluejays never trailed in regulation at home in the first meeting between the schools on Jan. 9 but they could not overcome Sam Hauser's 3-pointer with less than a second remaining to force overtime or a Big East-record 53-point performance from Markus Howard. Creighton has won consecutive games by double figures to move out of the conference basement, following up a 12-point victory Feb. 20 at league-worst DePaul with an 82-69 triumph over Georgetown three days later.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT CREIGHTON (15-13, 6-9 Big East)): Martin Krampelj (13.1 points, 6.8 rebounds), who capped a month in which he averaged 18 points and 8.3 rebounds with 22 points and 10 boards versus the Hoyas on Feb. 23, posted three double-doubles in seven February outings after recording two over the first 21 contests. Sophomore Ty-Shon Alexander (team-high 16.4 points) tied Booker Woodfox's school record for most consecutive outings with at least one 3-pointer at 31 games last weekend and has buried multiple triples 23 times this season. Freshman Marcus Zegarowski (10.7 points), who reached double figures in seven of his first nine conference outings before breaking his hand Feb. 3 against Xavier, hasn't topped 11 points in three games since his return.

ABOUT MARQUETTE (23-5, 12-3): Howard (league-best 25.3 points) tallied 25 points Wednesday to become only the fifth player in Big East history to eclipse 1,000 career points during league play in three seasons, and his eight 30-point outbursts are the most by any major-conference player this season. Five-time Big East Freshman of the Week winner Joey Hauser (9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds) endured a five-game slump in which he totaled 23 points on 6-of-31 shooting but appears to have regained his stroke over his last two outings, going 9-of-14 from the field. Big brother Sam Hauser (15.1 points, team-best 6.9 boards) has also picked up his play over the same span, averaging 15.5 points and 10 rebounds while converting 12 of his 19 field-goal attempts.

TIP-INS

1. Marquette has won each of the last six meetings and seven of the last nine overall.

2. Krampelj (16.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 0.9 blocks during Big East play) is attempting to become the first Bluejay since Chad Gallagher in 1989-90 to average at least 16 points, eight rebounds and one blocked shot in league action.

3. Howard can become the first opposing player since Bradley's Hersey Hawkins (1987-88) to hit the 30-point mark against the Bluejays twice in the same season.

PREDICTION: Marquette 88, Creighton 74