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Game Preview South Dakota Coyotes @ No. 23 Creighton Bluejays
The South Dakota Coyotes travel to Omaha to face the Creighton Bluejays on Wednesday night at CHI Health Center Omaha. The 23rd-ranked Bluejays begin a new chapter after losing several key starters, while the Coyotes look to rebound from a close season-opening overtime defeat.
Creighton head coach Greg McDermott enters the season with a retooled lineup following the departures of Ryan Kalkbrenner, Steven Ashworth, Pop Isaacs, and Jamiya Neal. Despite heavy turnover, expectations remain high. The Bluejays were picked third in the Big East preseason poll, powered by Iowa transfer Owen Freeman, sophomore forward Jackson McAndrew, and sharp-shooting guard Josh Dix.
Freeman’s return from a knee injury gives Creighton an interior anchor to replace Kalkbrenner. Dix, named to the preseason All-Big East second team and on the Jerry West Award watchlist, adds backcourt scoring balance. Meanwhile, transfer guard Nik Graves brings versatility after leading Charlotte in assists and perimeter defense last season.
South Dakota, led by head coach Eric Petersen, began its campaign with an 81-79 overtime loss to Utah Tech. Summit League preseason first-team selection Isaac Bruns scored 23 points in that contest, demonstrating why he’s one of the league’s top returning scorers.
For insight into early-season futures, check college basketball championship odds.
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Line Movement and Odds
Creighton opened as a -28.5 home favorite, while South Dakota enters at +28.5. The total is listed at 166.5 points, reflecting Creighton’s efficiency and South Dakota’s fast-paced style.
Market movement has been minimal, with most bettors expecting Creighton’s offensive efficiency to separate by halftime. You can track updated movement on the NCAAB odds and scores board.
South Dakota Coyotes Outlook
The Coyotes showed resilience in their opener despite a narrow overtime defeat. Isaac Bruns’ 23 points led the way, while Evan Anderson and Vince Buzelis added depth scoring and rebounding support. Their 45 boards ranked among the best early-season performances nationally, a key factor against Creighton’s size.
South Dakota’s offense thrives on tempo. They averaged nearly 80 possessions per game last season and were aggressive at drawing contact, earning 35 free throws in their opener. Their 82.9% conversion rate from the stripe demonstrates poise under pressure.
However, the defense remains inconsistent. The Coyotes allowed Utah Tech to shoot over 48% from the field and struggled to close out on the perimeter. To cover against Creighton, they must limit turnovers and force longer possessions.
For more on large-spread betting evaluations, see handicap in betting.
Creighton Bluejays Outlook
Creighton begins life without several veterans, but the new group looks capable of keeping the Bluejays among the Big East elite. McDermott’s system emphasizes spacing, unselfish ball movement, and disciplined half-court execution — traits the new roster seems poised to maintain.
In last week’s exhibition win over Colorado State, transfer guard Nik Graves led the team with 15 points, and Freeman provided 13 minutes of controlled post play after a long injury layoff. McAndrew and Dix offer reliable shooting, combining to hit over 42% from beyond the arc last season.
The Bluejays ranked 24th nationally in effective field goal percentage last year and excelled inside the arc, shooting 60.5% on twos (second in the country). Those metrics suggest Creighton can overwhelm smaller frontcourts like South Dakota’s, especially at home where they went 17-4 last season.
For bettors tracking tempo-based totals, see alternate total points.
Key Matchup / Path to Victory
The interior battle will define this game. Owen Freeman’s ability to score efficiently in the post and rebound against a smaller South Dakota lineup could create early mismatches. Expect Creighton to establish inside-out rhythm before unleashing shooters like Dix and Graves.
For the Coyotes, it’s all about pace and persistence. If they can stretch Creighton’s defense with early transition offense and maintain composure under pressure, they could stay competitive through the first half. Bruns’ scoring versatility will need to shine against Creighton’s length.
For more on matchup-based betting, read what-does-the-spread-mean-in-betting.
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Betting Trends
- Creighton was 19-12 ATS last season and 8-3 ATS in nonconference play.
- The Bluejays are 20-4 straight up as favorites in their last 24 games.
- South Dakota is 5-2 ATS in its last seven road games.
- The Coyotes are 4-1 to the over in their last five nonconference contests.
- Creighton is 6-2 to the under in its last eight at home.
More team trends and betting stats are available on the NCAAB teams page.
Prediction
Creighton’s combination of size, spacing, and three-point precision should dictate the tempo early. South Dakota’s pace can create scoring bursts, but sustained efficiency will be difficult against Creighton’s disciplined defense and deep rotation. Expect the Bluejays to cover comfortably behind double-digit efforts from Freeman and Dix.
Projected Score: Creighton 93, South Dakota 63
Best Spread Pick: Creighton -28.5 (-113)
Total Lean: Under 166.5 (-110)
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Best Handicapper
Experts on the Handicappers Leaderboard highlight Creighton as an early-season powerhouse against mid-majors, especially at home. However, bettors should watch how McDermott’s lineup rotations develop before committing to future lines.
For more coverage, visit NCAAB picks and John Wooden Award predictions for updated national outlooks.
