The Creighton Bluejays (24-12) battle the San Diego State Aztecs (30-6) Sunday. Tip from the KFC Yum! Center in the Elite 8 is set for 2:20 p.m. ET (CBS). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Creighton vs. San Diego State odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
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The Bluejays are 3-0 against the spread (ATS) in the NCAA Tournament and 4-1 ATS in postseason play. They are 3-2 O/U. Creighton, the No. 6 seed in the South Region, has beaten No. 11 NC State 72-63 as a 5.5-point favorite, No. 3 Baylor 85-76 as a 1.5-point favorite and No. 15 Princeton 86-75 as a 10-point favorite.
San Diego State, the No. 5 seed in the region, is 5-1 ATS in their 6 postseason games and 4-0 ATS in tournament games. Despite being down almost double figures in the second half, the Aztecs clawed back to knock off No. 1 overall seed Alabama 71-64 on Friday, covering as a 6.5-point underdog. They beat No. 13 Furman 75-52 and No. 12 Charleston, covering as a 4.5-point and 5.5-point favorite. T
Creighton vs. San Diego State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:24 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Creighton -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | San Diego State +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): Creighton -2.5 (-105) | San Diego State +2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Creighton vs. San Diego State picks and predictions
Prediction
San Diego State 66, Creighton 63
Moneyline
BET SAN DIEGO STATE (+115).
San Diego State held Alabama’s No. 3-rated Kenpom offense to just 64 points. Projected top-5 pick F Brandon Miller was 3 for 19 from the field.
The Aztecs have a swarming defense that ranks 4th in the nation. Creighton’s strength is offense, not defense, and it allowed 43 points to Princeton in the 1st half. It will have a much more difficult time scoring.
The Aztecs rank 3rd in the nation in opponents’ 3-point FG percentage. They will be able to lock down Creighton, and given that they scored 71 on Alabama, which ranks 3rd in adjusted defensive rating, they should be able to score as well.
Ultimately, back SAN DIEGO STATE (+115).
Against the spread
PASS.
San Diego State is athletic and can defend at a high level. It has the ability to cover and could win outright. I’d rather take it to win outright given the plus-money odds.
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Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 134.5 (-108).
Creighton and San Diego State both play slowly. The Bluejays sit 139th in the nation in adjusted tempo while San Diego State ranks 255th. Neither team will want to push the pace. Creighton has gone Under in 2 of its last 4 games while San Diego State is 0-6 O/U in its last 6 games.
The Aztecs have actually gone Under in their last 11 games and in 13 of their last 14. Given the pace and defensive expertise, back the UNDER 134.5 (-108).
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