As it happens every year, a team is bound to catch fire in the NCAA Tournament. Sometimes, an overlooked lower seed morphs into a raging inferno. What underestimated squad from the Midwest Region is poised to singe eyebrows? Read my sizzling hot take below.
The pick: Creighton Bluejays (DraftKings odds to make Final Four: +650)
Omaha is known for its tender steaks, the College World Series, Peyton Manning audibles and a certain humble financier who’s made a dollar or three with his company, Berkshire Hathaway.
It’s also the location of a hidden hardwood gem — Greg McDermott’s Creighton Bluejays.
If you’re adamant about fading Purdue in the Midwest Region, the Blue Candy Stripes are the recommended play. Yes, Tennessee is very much in the conversation, but like Purdue, Rick Barnes’ tournament history is unsettling (27-26 all time). And Creighton owns the necessary goods to push the Boilermakers off track.
[ More Bracket Flames: East Region | South Region | West Region ]
For starters, the Jays are cast from steel offensively. Over the last month, they’re No. 4 in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 26 in effective field-goal percentage offense. Analyzing the microscope slide, they netted 59.6% from two (!!) and 35.9% from three. Also, over 45% of their shots came from distance.
Creighton is a tremendous smooth passing team, too. One of the country’s leaders in assists to field goals made, the Bluejays are always willing to make the extra dish.
The Midwest Region 👀 pic.twitter.com/c44mnu5ezU
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 17, 2024
Guard play is nearly everything in March, and the Big East reps check that important box. Steven Ashworth is an excellent floor general who sets a smooth offensive flow, and with bucket getter Trey Alexander and glue guy Francisco Farabello (43.1% from three), the backcourt earns its filet mignons.
As for the man in the middle, 7-foot-1 Ryan Kalkbrenner is one of the college game’s greatest enforcers on both ends. Over his last three games, he has recorded 12 blocked shots. Also a solid rim rocker and finisher (71.2 2PT%), Kalkbrenner is why Creighton ranks top-10 nationally in near-proximity field goal percentage, according to Haslameterics.
And finally, there’s Baylor Scheierman, who’s the definition of a “baller.” The premier shot caller is usually soaking wet from outside, as his 37.2% shooting from three suggests, and he is highly effective on 15-footers. Scheierman is a major reason why the Jays are THE pacesetter nationally in midrange field-goal percentage.
Point blank, Creighton can score consistently and effectively from everywhere. Not to be overlooked, the Bluejays also are an adept defensive unit, allowing only 0.956 points per possession and a lowly 29.5 3-point percentage in their last six games.
For those looking to secure a Warren Buffet bag (OK, not quite), Creighton has significant potential to cash. Invest with confidence.