Aztecs Look to Extend Winning Streak Against Bluejays in Tournament
San Diego State Aztecs Eye Third Win in Four Games Against Creighton Bluejays in Power Tournament
The San Diego State Aztecs (2-1, 0-0 MW) will try to build momentum as they head into their matchup against the 14th-ranked Creighton Bluejays (4-1, 0-0 Big East) on Tuesday afternoon. This clash will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena as part of the Players Era Festival – Power Tournament, tipping off at 2:00 PM ET. San Diego State is looking to secure its first road win of the season, while Creighton will attempt to bounce back after a tough loss to Nebraska.
Both teams are coming off losses: The Aztecs fell to Gonzaga 80-67 in their last game, while Creighton suffered a 74-63 defeat to Nebraska. As the two squads prepare for this key contest, San Diego State holds a slight edge in their all-time series, leading 3-2 in five matchups against the Bluejays.
San Diego State Aztecs: Seeking Consistency on Both Ends of the Floor
After opening the season with two straight wins, the Aztecs were handed their first loss by Gonzaga in an 80-67 defeat. San Diego State will look to bounce back with a strong performance against Creighton, aiming for their third win in four games.
Offensive Efficiency: The Aztecs have averaged 76.7 points per game this season, showcasing a balanced attack. However, in their loss to Gonzaga, they scored just 67 points and struggled with their shooting efficiency, hitting only 37.7% of field goals and 32% of three-pointers. Nick Boyd led San Diego State with a team-high 23 points and 9 rebounds, continuing his strong play early in the season. BJ Davis contributed 15 points, and Wayne McKinney III chipped in with 11 points.
While the Aztecs have shown promise offensively, their shooting struggles against Gonzaga highlight the need for improvement in their efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc. Against a high-scoring team like Creighton, San Diego State will need to execute better in order to stay competitive.
Defensive Strength: San Diego State has been solid defensively, limiting opponents to 62.3 points per game. However, they allowed 80 points to Gonzaga in their last outing, which is a concerning sign against a potent Creighton offense. If the Aztecs want to win this game, they’ll need to regain their defensive form and prevent the Bluejays from getting easy baskets in transition or beyond the three-point line.
Creighton Bluejays: Rebounding from Defeat and Focusing on Offensive Balance
Creighton enters this matchup looking to bounce back after a tough 74-63 loss to Nebraska, which snapped their four-game winning streak. The Bluejays will try to put that loss behind them and improve to 5-1 on the season with a strong showing against San Diego State.
High-Scoring Offense: Creighton has been one of the top-scoring teams in the country, averaging 83 points per game this season. However, they struggled offensively in their loss to Nebraska, finishing with only 63 points while shooting just 32.7% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range. Pop Isaacs had a standout performance, scoring 25 points and grabbing 7 rebounds, but the Bluejays will need more support from their other key players to avoid another upset. Steven Ashworth added 16 points and 4 assists, while Jamiya Neal finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, but overall, the team’s offensive struggles were evident.
Creighton’s ability to shoot from distance and control tempo will be crucial in this matchup. If they can regain their shooting touch and execute better in half-court sets, they should be able to outpace San Diego State’s defense. Isaacs and Ashworth will need to be efficient and involve their teammates in the offense to ensure Creighton can put up big numbers.
Defensive Efforts: Defensively, Creighton has been solid, allowing just 65.8 points per game. However, they were exposed in their loss to Nebraska, giving up 74 points. In order to bounce back, the Bluejays will need to tighten up defensively, especially against an Aztecs team that is capable of putting up points when they get hot.
Conclusion
While San Diego State has proven to be a tough defensive team, Creighton’s offensive firepower and depth should give them the edge in this matchup. The Bluejays’ strong shooting, led by Pop Isaacs and Steven Ashworth, should help them bounce back from their recent loss and maintain their spot as one of the top teams in the nation.
Unlock Winning Insights!
As the San Diego St and Creighton battle it out, make sure you have the best information at your fingertips. Our data packages provide in-depth analysis and statistics that can help you make informed decisions and increase your chances of winning big this season!
Don’t miss out! Click the button below to explore our data packages and elevate your game strategy today!
