Creighton vs Butler Expert NCAA Basketball Picks 1/4/2020

Game: Creighton Bluejays vs Butler Bulldogs

Date: Saturday, January 4, 2020

Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN

TV: FS1

Odds/Point Spread: Butler -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 134.5

The Creighton Bluejays head to Hinkle Fieldhouse to take on the Butler Bulldogs on Saturday, January 4, 2020. The opening line for this game has Butler as 6.5 point favorites.

Creighton comes into this game with an overall record of 12-2. They currently have a point differential of 11.4 as they are averaging 79.9 points per game while giving up 68.4 per contest. Butler has an overall record of 13-1. They are averaging 68.6 points per game and surrendering 53.9, good for a point differential of 14.6.

Valuable Creighton Bluejays Betting Trends

The Creighton Bluejays are 8-5-0 against the spread this season

The Creighton Bluejays are 6-6-1 against the over/under this year

Important Butler Bulldogs Betting Trends

The Butler Bulldogs are 9-4-1 against the spread this season

The Butler Bulldogs are 4-10-0 against the over/under this year

Key Creighton Bluejays Injuries

12/29/19 G Davion Mintz Ankle is out for season
11/05/19 C Jacob Epperson Knee is out indefinitely

Key Butler Bulldogs Injuries

12/30/19 C Derrik Smits Knee is questionable Tuesday vs St. Johns
11/14/19 G Campbell Donovan ACL is out for season
01/02/20 G Kamar Baldwin Ankle injured last game, is questionable

Player Spotlight

Marcus Zegarowski comes into this game averaging 18.3 points per contest while playing 34.1 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.0 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.9 assists per game. His FG percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is 73%. Ty-Shon Alexander averages 16.8 points per contest in 33.6 minutes per game. He averages 1.9 assists per game and 6.1 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

Kamar Baldwin scores 14.3 points per contest while playing 28.5 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.4 rebounds per contest and has 3.0 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 96%. Sean McDermott averages 11.4 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 31.2 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.1 rebounds per game and has 1.1 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage is 88%.

Useful Team Statistics

Creighton averages 79.9 points per contest, which is 37th in D-1. Their average scoring margin is 11.4 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 42nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 38%, which is good for 37th in the nation. They average 36.6 boards per contest and 15.3 assists per game, which ranks them 160th and 64th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 335th with 11.1 per game. The Bluejays allow 68.4 points per contest, which is 176th in the NCAA. They also surrender a 41% shooting percentage and a 30% average from 3-point range, ranking them 135th and 69th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 36.6 rebounds a game which ranks 246th, and they allow 11.9 assists per game which puts them in 133rd place in the country. They force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 128th in Division 1.

Useful Team Statistics

Butler is 251st in the nation with 68.6 points per contest this season. They are 39th in the country in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 14.6. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 83rd in the NCAA. They are 229th in D-1 in rebounding with 34.8 boards per contest and 115th in assists per game with 14.4. The Bulldogs are 327th in turnovers per contest with 11.4. The Bulldogs give up 53.9 points per game, which ranks them 4th in Division 1. Their defense surrenders a 37% shooting percentage and a 27% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 14th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 35th with 10.2 dimes allowed per game and 2nd with 28.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Bulldogs are 89th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 12.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Bluejays have an offensive rating of 110.5, which is ranked 37th. They are 118th in college basketball in pace with 71.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 24th. As a unit they are 30th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 74th in D-1. Creighton is 337th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Butler is 239th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.9 times per 100 possessions. The Bulldogs are 79th in the country in offensive rating with 106.9. In terms of pace they are 346th in Division 1 with 64.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 42nd. As a team they are 42nd in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 163rd in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Creighton/Butler college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Creighton +6.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here