Butler Bulldogs (14-7) vs. Creighton Bluejays (16-5)
Butler Bulldogs vs. Creighton Bluejays 2/2/24 – The NCAA men’s basketball season is heating up, and an intriguing matchup is set to take place at the CHI Health Center Omaha, as the Butler Bulldogs, holding a 14-7 record, face off against the Creighton Bluejays, who stand at an impressive 16-5. Scheduled for Friday, February 2, 2024, at 9:00 PM ET, this game promises to be a pivotal sports matchup, where both teams will be looking to assert their dominance and improve their standings. This encounter is not just a test of skill but also a critical challenge for sports matchup handicapping, offering insights into the teams’ current forms, key player performances, and betting trends.
The Butler Bulldogs have displayed outstanding resilience and skill this season, earning themselves a respectable record. Their offense features a balanced approach, scoring an average of 80.8 points per game; an indication of their efficiency on the court. Their field goal shooting success rate stands at 45.8% while three-point percentage stands at 35.5% – however their disciplined free-throw shooting at 78.7% gives them an edge during tight encounters. Defensively they hold their ground, averaging 37.2 rebounds per game while showing strong performances on both offensive and defensive boards – further showing off their team spirit and resilience on and off the court.
Creighton Bluejays have also been outstanding, boasting an excellent record. While their offensive output may be slightly less than Butler, at 79.7 points per game, their shooting efficiency is greater; 48% field goal percentage being an indicator. They boast an effective perimeter game highlighted by 35.6% three-point success rate from three-point land and excelling ball distribution with 16.5 assists per game on average; their cohesive team play further enhanced by their superior rebounding efforts which average 39.5 per game.
Butler Bulldogs vs. Creighton Bluejays 2/2/24 Game Info
| When: | Friday, February 2, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | CHI Health Center Omaha |
| TV: | FS1 |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Pierre Brooks (Guard) vs. Baylor Scheierman (Guard)
Pierre Brooks has played a key role for Butler this season, appearing in 21 games and averaging 33.7 minutes per contest. He leads the team in scoring at 16.6 points per game while shooting efficient clips from the field (47.4%) and three-point range (43.2%). Brooks also contributes 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists while playing solid defense with 0.5 steals per game. He will need to continue his consistent production to give Butler a chance against Creighton’s stout defense.
Meanwhile, Baylor Scheierman has been stuffing stat sheets for the Bluejays as a dynamic, do-it-all guard. Through 21 games played (35.7 minutes per game), he leads the team in points (17.8 ppg), rebounds (8.1 rpg) and assists (3.8 apg). Scheierman is shooting 43.5% from the floor and 37.9% from three-point land, posing a matchup headache with his versatility at 6’7″. He will look to exploit Butler’s defense both inside and out while creating opportunities for teammates.
This battle of efficient, high-scoring guards could determine which team gains an advantage. If Brooks can match Scheierman’s output while limiting his playmaking for others, Butler has a strong opportunity to keep things close. But if Scheierman has his way scoring and facilitating, Creighton should control the flow of the game at home. This marquee guard showdown will be a crucial factor on Friday night.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game are yet to be determined, but based on the teams’ performances and betting trends, it promises to be a closely contested affair. Both teams have shown inconsistencies against the spread, with Butler being 2-3 in their last 5 games and Creighton 1-4. However, their ability to score points suggests that the total might lean towards the OVER, a trend observed in their recent games.
Butler Bulldogs Betting Trends
Butler has been an unreliable team to back recently, going just 2-3 against the spread (ATS) over their last 5 matchups. The Bulldogs are an even 3-4 ATS on the road this season, failing to consistently cover as the visitor. However, Over bettors have seen success backing Butler games, with 4 of their previous 5 contests and 8 of their last 13 home games surpassing the betting total. With a road clash against a strong Creighton offense ahead, an Over play could again prove fruitful.
Creighton Bluejays Betting Trends
Bettors have struggled to capitalize on Creighton ATS as of late, with the Bluejays covering just once over their most recent 5 contests. But Creighton has proven fairly reliable at home, going 6-3 ATS this season at the CHI Health Center. The Over has also hit in 3 of Creighton’s past 5 overall games. Given those trends and facing a Butler squad whose games often produce high scores lately, an Over wager seems advisable for Friday’s matchup. With two leaky defenses clashing, points could be abundant.
Butler Bulldogs vs. Creighton Bluejays 2/2/24 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and betting trends, this game appears to be a tight contest with potential for high scoring. Both teams have shown the ability to put up significant points, and the key battle between Pierre Brooks and Baylor Scheierman could tilt the game in favor of the team whose star player outperforms the other.
Given the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, a prediction leans towards a closely contested game, likely decided in the final moments. The Bluejays’ slightly better efficiency and home-court advantage might give them the edge.
Bettors should consider the OVER on the total points, and for those looking at player props, focusing on Brooks and Scheierman to exceed their points per game averages could offer value. Keep an eye on the final spread and moneyline odds to make informed bets, and for further insights, NCAAB free reviews today might offer additional perspectives.
Free Pick and Prediction: Creighton Bluejays 78, Butler Bulldogs 74.