Creighton's streak-halting upset of No. 1 UConn wasn't a fluke
In its more than 100-year history, Creighton has enjoyed impressive success, reaching the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament six times and winning 20 regular-season conference titles.
However, heading into Tuesday night, the Bluejays had not beaten a No. 1-ranked team in six previous tries. Well, the seventh time was the charm.
No. 15 Creighton, in a clinic on both ends of the court, pulled away for a 85-66 home victory over top-ranked UConn (24-3). The defending national champion Huskies entered the evening having won 14 straight, but they exited the CHI Health Center having dropped their first game since a Dec. 20 road defeat to Seton Hall.
As you would expect, the huge win called for a huge celebration, as Bluejays fans — who were deafeningly loud all night — stormed the court once the final buzzer sounded.
Other than a 7-0 UConn spurt to start the contest, Creighton maintained control. The Bluejays showcased their stellar ball movement and marksmanship from downtown, finishing 14-of-28 from three.
The main beneficiary of this was guard Steven Ashworth, who knocked down five triples (four in the first half) and finished with 20 points. Trey Alexander, one of the most gifted scorers in the Big East, added 16 points and two three-pointers of his own.
Obviously, any time the top-ranked team falls, that’s the story of the game. But is there something truly wrong with UConn? Not so fast.
Connecticut's loss was simply a case of a talented team, backed by a raucous home crowd, taking advantage of a massive opportunity.
Expecting the Huskies to head into the Big East Tournament on a 19-game win streak was a fool’s errand. Instead, let’s talk a bit about Creighton. The Bluejays (20-7, 11-5) earned their accolades and merit the spotlight as we near March Madness.
How could they not? This is a group that ranks 11th at KenPom, ahead of Duke (12th), Baylor (13th) and Kansas (16th). Creighton ranks ninth nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, 24th in adjusted defensive efficiency and 34th in assist percentage (per WarrenNolan.com).
The Bluejays play at a deliberate, methodical pace (230th in adjusted tempo, per KenPom). Ball movement, player movement, open shots — you name it. Creighton has a plan and sticks to it.
That plan nearly resulted in the program’s first Final Four appearance last season. The Bluejays were agonizingly close to knocking off San Diego State in the South Regional final. Aztec guard Darion Tramell hit the winning free throw with just over a second remaining.
That 57-56 final score was no doubt seared into the brains of every member of the Creighton program during the offseason. The quest to get over the hump is what drove the likes of Alexander, wing Baylor Scheierman and big Ryan Kalkbrenner to return to school.
So far, the Bluejays, currently a No. 3 seed according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, have shown they are capable of getting over that hump. Wednesday was just the latest example.
More must-reads: