Creighton vs Oregon betting odds, predictions, pick and promos

Fighting in the midwest region of the bracket, 3rd-seeded Creighton will be facing off against 11th-seeded Oregon after each team won their first-round matchup.

Creighton cruised past Akron in a 77-60 victory while Oregon produced an impressive 87-73 win over South Carolina. The field only narrows from here and the two teams will square off in an attempt to advance to the Sweet 16.

This matchup will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania making it a far trip away from home for both teams. 

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Creighton (3) vs Oregon (11) betting preview

Creighton is coming off a 23-9 regular season and holds a 14-6 record in Big East play. They finished the season ranked 10th in the AP Poll and 11th in the NET Rankings. The Bluejays produced 80.4 points per game which ranks 35th in the country and also produced the 19th-best offensive rating as a team. They are looking to build off their Elite 8 run last season with 63% of that roster remaining on this team. 

At the top of this list are All-Big East First Team guard Baylor Scheierman and All-Big East Second Team standouts Trey Alexander and Ryan Kalkbrenner. Each member of this trio averages over 17 points and 5.5 rebounds per game and combines for 53.2 points collectively. Kalkbrenner stands 7 feet tall and has produced 17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game this season. He has won Big East Defensive Player of the Year for the third consecutive season and anchors a Creighton defense that is 4th in the country in protecting the paint. Kalkbrenner’s commanding inside presence will play a factor in this matchup although Scheierman and Alexander are each capable of taking over. 

Creighton has an impressive track record against top opponents this year, going 8-5 against Quad 1 opponents and 7-4 in Quad 2 matchups. Their most impressive victories were against Alabama, UConn, Marquette, Villanova, and Providence this season. The Bluejays also suffered losses at the hands of St. Johns, UNLV, Providence, and Marquette. 

Oregon flew under the radar for much of this season and leading into the NCAA Tournament. Led by head coach Dana Altman, the Ducks went 24-11 this year and 12-8 in conference play. They played their best ball down the stretch this season, winning the Pac-12 tournament and carrying this momentum into the NCAA Tournament. The biggest driving reason for this has been the return of N’Faly Dante. The 6-foot-11 big man missed a significant portion of the season but has been a difference-maker since returning. Overall he has averaged 16.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game. He will likely be tasked with matching up with Kalkbrenner which will make for an intriguing matchup. 

Overall, Oregon has averaged 75.7 points per game on the season which is the 114th-best rate in the country. They also allow 71.9 points per game which is the 181st-best rate and do not crack the top 100 in either offensive or defensive efficiency. Oregon has had success playing through their guards as the duo of Jermaine Couisnard and Jackson Shelstad combine for over 28 points per game. Couisnard dropped 40 points in the opening-round matchup against South Carolina, including shooting 5 for 9 on three-point attempts, and flashed why the moment is not too large for him. 

Oregon has been to the Sweet 16 twice before under Altman and will be looking to do it for the third time by securing a victory here. The Ducks finished the season ranking 59th in the NET but went just 4-6 against Quad 1 opponents this year. Creighton will be among the toughest opponents they have faced this season although they did defeat Arizona once this year. 

This will be the first matchup between these two teams this season. Creighton is just 1-3 all-time when facing Oregon in the two programs’ histories.

Creighton vs Oregon odds

Below are the odds for this matchup, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. 

• Spread: Creighton -5.5 at -107 odds, Oregon +5.5 at -113 odds
• Moneyline: Creighton -230, Oregon +185
• Total: Over/Under 146 points

Creighton vs Oregon analysis

Oregon has momentum on its side and has played much better defensively during the home stretch of this season.

If N’Faly Dante can hold his own against Ryan Kalbrenner, the team could have a chance, but this will be a fascinating clash of skill sets. As impressive as Oregon looked in the opening matchup and throughout the final weeks of the season, this will be a measuring stick matchup they have not yet faced. 

Dante must do his work early to establish himself and keep the interior open. Kalkbrenner is such a strong shot-blocking threat that he can completely alter opponents’ interior attack.

Oregon cannot allow this to happen as they have struggled to produce regularly on the perimeter. As a team, they have shot just 33.8% from beyond the three-point arc which ranks 191st in the country. They also have not been a great rebounding team, averaging just 34.1 per game which is 255th in the country.

While Baylor Scheierman will likely shine as Creighton’s best player on the floor, this game may very well be won or lost inside the paint.

Creighton vs Oregon pick

Creighton is a legitimate title threat and holds the 9th-best odds of cutting down the nets at the tournament’s conclusion. They have an efficient offense and if they play at their peak you could argue Creighton has the three best players on the floor in this game.

The Bluejays are also 8-2 in their last 10 games including double-digit victories over Marquette, Seton Hall, and UConn so they have plenty of momentum on their side as well.

Expect Creightn to continue to look like a threat to win the entire tournament and to produce another convincing victory in this one. Oregon is a rock-solid team, but lacks the top-end talent to compete on this level.

Expect Ryan Kalkbrenner to establish himself as a commanding interior presence and for Oregon to struggle to produce points. This inability to score will be their downfall as Creighton gradually pushes the game out of reach.

🏀 Bet on Creighton to cover the spread at -107 with DraftKings 🏀

Creighton vs Oregon info

• Who: Creighton (3) vs Oregon (11)
• Date: March 23rd, 2024
• Time: 9:40 PM EST
• Venue: PPG Paints Arena (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
• Where to watch: TBS

About the author

Sean Barnard

Sean Barnard has worked in sports media for the past five years. He has spent time as the 76ers Lead Writer for Philly Sports Network, Associate Editor at CluchPoints, Eagles Beat Reporter for YardBarker, and more. He also owns and operates his own Podcast Network called Pick Swap Media and is a radio host on Fox 102.5 The Gambler presented by iHeartMedia. Sean has written over 1500 articles and recorded over 500 podcasts and is just getting started. Based out of the Philadelphia region in the United States, Sean is a lifelong passionate sports fan who can be reached on Twitter at @Sean_Barnard1 where he rattles off basketball breakdowns and other news.

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