Creighton vs. Holy Cross Basketball Prediction, Odds, Line, Pick, and Preview: November 14 | 2022-23 NCAAB Season

(#9) Creighton Bluejays (2-0) will host the Holy Cross Crusaders (1-1) on Monday. The Bluejays swept last week's non-conference slate, beating St. Thomas 72-60 and North Dakota 96-61. After a second-round exit in last season's NCAA Tournament, Creighton has title aspirations this year. A trio of Big East All-Freshman honorees returns in the form of Arthur Kaluma, Ryan Nembhard, and Trey Alexander. Big man Ryan Kalkbrenner is also in the mix. However, the biggest splash for the Bluejays was the offseason acquisition of sharpshooter Baylor Scheierman from South Dakota State. Scheierman, a Nebraska native, scored 16.2 points per game last season for the Summit League Champ Jackrabbits.

Holy Cross is 1-1 in the early going, beating Dean College 85-71 while losing to Siena 75-68. Star forward Gerrale Gates returns after scoring 16.2 points per game last season for a 9-22 Crusaders squad. Under head coach Brett Nelson, Holy Cross is 18-63 over three-plus seasons.

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Creighton vs. Holy Cross Betting Odds

Team	Spread	Over/Under	Moneyline
Holy Cross Crusaders	+30.5	0144.5	+2500
Creighton Bluejays	-30.5	u144.5	-10000

All Lines Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook

$1,000 No Sweat First Bet on FanDuel

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ShotQuality Tale of the Tape

With Creighton currently being a 30-point favorite, it's no surprise ShotQuality data suggests the Bluejays will win in a blowout. The question becomes how big of a blowout it will be. Using last season's data, the Bluejays posted a healthy 1.04 Adjusted Offensive Shot Quality number despite a luck record of -14.88. They excelled in nearly every SQ offensive metric, including shot selection, spacing, and rim & three SQ PPP. They were elite in cutting to the basket and finishing at the rim, although they used a more balanced attack in both the half-court and transition. Creighton had an 11% frequency (105th in the country) on off-the-dribble three-pointers last season, but only had a 0.85 SQ PPP in that category. However, adding Baylor Scheierman from South Dakota State should ease that headache. Scheierman posted a 1.23 SQ PPP on an off-the-dribble three-pointer last season. The Bluejays only rank in the top 100 in frequency with pick & roll screen offense. Holy Cross was shelled in the pick & roll, allowing a 1.03 SQ PPP.

Outside of Gerrale Gates, the Holy Cross offense was abysmal. Every offensive metric bleeds red while they are one of the worst teams in the country in spacing. The Bluejays, who struggled in defensive spacing, should have no worries with the Crusaders in that category. From a frequency standpoint, Holy Cross loved the post-up and half-court game while always trying to finish at the rim. Unfortunately, for the Crusaders, the Bluejays -- led by the towering presence of Ryan Kalkbrenner -- were one of the best defenses in the country in half-court low post defense.

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Creighton vs. Holy Cross Prediction

The Bluejays should win this game by a landslide. They are a far superior team and match up exceptionally well against Holy Cross. That statement isn't shocking, given the spread, but a 30-point spread is also right on the money. The play here is in the first half, something the Bluejays have won by a total of 36 points in two games this year.

Prediction: Creighton -16.5 1H (-118)

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