Butler vs Creighton Odds
| Butler Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -110 | 140.5 -110o / -110u | +280 |
| Creighton Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -110 | 140.5 -110o / -110u | -350 |
Butler travels to Omaha on Thursday night to take on a reeling Creighton squad in a Big East battle.
Both teams were blown out in their first game of conference play, but Creighton’s loss to Marquette marked its sixth in a row after starting the season 6-0.
The Bluejays desperately miss their big man Ryan Kalkbrenner, who will make his return after missing three straight games with a non-COVID illness.
Is this finally a good spot to back Creighton?
Butler Bulldogs
Butler is off to an 8-4 start this season, but its main issue has been how it has fared against quality competition away from home.
Against Bart Torvik top-100 teams in neutral site or away games, the Bulldogs are 0-3 against the spread and 0-3 straight up. Overall against top-100 teams, they are 1-4 straight up and 1-4 against the spread.
The Bulldogs' offense can stagnate for long periods of time. When they can’t get out in transition, they tend to rely on spot-up opportunities from inconsistent offensive threats — 24.3% of their possessions are listed as spot-up, per Synergy.
In each of their losses, the offense hasn't been able to score when the opposing team goes on a run. They've given up at least one 10-0 run in each loss that has effectively ended their chances of winning the game.
Butler does have five different players averaging double-digits this season and is working Akron transfer Ali Ali back into the rotation (he made his season debut Saturday). The Bulldogs also will try to operate out of the post with Manny Bates (14.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG).
Teams don’t necessarily have to shut down one standout guy on the Bulldogs, but the main key for them will be if their offense can generate enough scoring to stay in the game.
Creighton Bluejays
After being initially pegged as a sleeper title contender, Creighton has fallen off a cliff.
Even though Kalkbrenner is back, he could be on a minutes restriction. But some minutes — combined with Fredrick King off the bench — should give the Bluejays enough size and rim protection to put Butler’s offense in a tough position.
On offense for Creighton, both Arthur Kaluma and Baylor Scheierman present mismatches on the wings. Both are 6-foot-7 and Kaluma can hurt teams with his athleticism while Scheierman can exploit teams on the dribble drive by finding open shooters.
With Kalkbrenner back, Creighton will have the lethal pick-and-roll game from him and Ryan Nembhard at its disposal.
Backup big King was also able to fill in on the offensive end in the last two games, dropping 16 in each and going 16-of-19 from the field overall. Offense generally hasn't been a problem for Creighton.
One of the main issues for Creighton last season was turnovers, but it's actually been sound with the ball this season (15.6 TO%, 22nd in the nation)
Eliminating easy transition opportunities will be key when facing off against Butler.
Butler vs. Creighton Betting Pick
Ultimately, the spot for Creighton is too good to pass up here. The Bluejays are in desperation mode and can’t drop a home conference game after losing six straight.
Butler has shown the ability to stay in games but it slowly fades in second halves. I think the same happens here, as Creighton will do enough to pull away and cover against an opponent that has appeared shaky against high-level competition.
