No. 11 Marquette is looking to end a two-game losing streak while Creighton wants to keep its hot streak going when the two Big East teams face off Saturday afternoon in Omaha, Neb.
The Golden Eagles (18-5, 9-3 Big East) dropped out of the top 10 for the first time since November, while the Bluejays (17-6, 10-2) have won eight straight games since losing to Marquette 79-71 on Jan. 3.
Marquette is coming off a 70-64 loss to No. 12 St. John’s on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden and sits in third place in the Big East standings.
“Adversity reveals a necessity to grow and improve,” Marquette coach Shaka Smart said. “Our focus is on ourselves and what we can do to improve.”
Before the current losing streak, Marquette had won three in a row.
Chase Ross has been a standout player for the Golden Eagles, scoring in double figures in four straight games — something he had never done before this run. He scored 16 points in the loss to St. John’s and is averaging 11.5 points per game.
“I’m trying to find ways to help my team win,” Ross said.
Kam Jones, who was named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award on Monday, continues to lead Marquette with 18.8 points and 6.0 assists per game.
Creighton is on a high after defeating Providence 80-69 on Wednesday, earning its first road win against the Friars in four years and taking sole possession of second place in the Big East.
Ryan Kalkbrenner had an outstanding game, scoring 35 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, living up to the preseason Big East Player of the Year hype.
He’ll be a tough matchup for the Golden Eagles, as will Steven Ashworth, who scored 23 points at Providence and has made at least one 3-pointer in 41 consecutive games.
Creighton coach Greg McDermott praised Kalkbrenner after the game against Providence.
“He’s an incredible player and an even better person,” McDermott said.
Kalkbrenner is averaging a team-high 19.2 points per game and 8.5 rebounds. He is also a defensive force, blocking 60 shots and altering many more with his 7-foot-1 frame.
Ashworth is averaging 16.6 points per game and has made 67 3-pointers this season.
In the previous meeting with Marquette, Kalkbrenner scored 16 points on 4-for-11 shooting.
In the win over Providence, Kalkbrenner started 0-for-5 but didn’t let it affect him.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever started a game 0-for-5,” Kalkbrenner said. “I was missing shots I normally make and in the past I’d let that frustrate me. But now I know those are going to start falling for me.”
Jones scored 22 points to lead Marquette in the first matchup with Creighton. Stevie Mitchell, who was named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year list on Wednesday, added 18 points and three steals.
