Creighton Faces DePaul in BIG EAST Quarterfinal Showdown

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The Creighton Bluejays, seeded No. 2 in the BIG EAST Tournament, are set to clash with the 10th-seeded DePaul Blue Demons Thursday evening at Madison Square Garden. The match begins at 6:00 p.m. Central, as the Bluejays aim to build on their stellar 22-9 season (15-5 in conference play).

Creighton enters the quarterfinals after a strong showing to finish the regular season, including an impressive 87-74 victory over Butler. Ryan Kalkbrenner led the Bluejays with 27 points and 15 rebounds in that game, showcasing his dominance in the paint. Moreover, Steven Ashworth contributed significantly with 23 points and 11 assists, further solidifying Creighton’s impressive offensive capabilities.

DePaul, despite a challenging campaign that consisted of a 14-18 record, is coming off a hard-fought 71-67 win against Georgetown. N.J. Benson emerged as a standout performer for the Blue Demons, scoring 18 points with an efficient shooting performance. Layden Blocker also played a crucial role with 16 points and 6 assists, indicating that DePaul can pose a threat if the opportunities arise.

As Creighton looks to advance to Friday’s semifinal against either UConn or Villanova, they seek to improve their historical performance in the BIG EAST Tournament. Historically, Creighton has recorded a 10-10 record in the tournament, including a notable 6-5 mark in quarterfinal matchups. Winning on Thursday would mark Creighton’s 11th victory overall in BIG EAST Tournament history.

Head coach Greg McDermott, currently in his 15th season with the Bluejays, emphasized the importance of consistent defensive efforts and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. McDermott holds a 347-169 record at Creighton and has led the team to numerous NCAA Tournament appearances. His coaching expertise has been proven successful in the BIG EAST, making him an integral part of their current success.

The matchup will be televised on FS1 with coverage from commentators Gus Johnson, Bill Raftery, and Kristina Pink. Fans can also catch the action through radio broadcasts on KOZN (1620 AM) and KOOO (101.9 FM) or through a live stream on Fox Sports’ website.

As the rivalry continues, both teams are prepared to leave it all on the court for a chance to advance in the postseason.