#11 Creighton (22-4, 12-2) is going to be one of the more intriguing teams to consider come this NCAA tournament. To me, they still resemble an elite mid-major team (lack of size, athleticism) more so than one tied for the best record in the Big East (a weaker Big East). For that, they could lose in the first or second round. For other reasons, such as their advanced offensive scheme, their mature roster, and Doug McDermott (currently having one of the best college seasons in recent history), they could advance the furthest they have in program history. The Blue Jays of Nebraska (I suppose the species is prominent there?) will get the chance to pad their NCAA seeding in today's home game against Seton Hall (14-12, 5-8).

Most encouraging, besides their elite conference record, has been their performance against Villanova, whom they pulverized twice by a combined 49 points. Even if Villanova, for reasons still to be determined, can't match up against Creighton, beating a team known for its athleticism and defense speaks well for a program not as highly regarded for its own fast twitch muscles. Yet, Creighton is either quicker than they look, or simply acclimated to the higher octane game of the Big East from its success in the years prior to its big move this season (back-to-back apperances in the NCAA tournament).

They've also gone 80-30 under Greg McDermott in three seasons. Whether it's coaching his son, needing a smaller conference to develop an effective scheme, or simply time, McDermott has truly found a home in Nebraska after failing in four seasons at Iowa State. Likely, they'll drop once his son leaves, but they could make up for it with their move to the Big East and the more intriguing prospects that should follow.

For fun, here's a side-by-side of Kevin Durant's lone, Wooden-award winning season at Texas and McDermott's current senior year:

Durant: 25.8 ppg, 11.1 rpb, 1.3 apg, 1.9 spg, 1.9 bpg, 47 percent fg, 40 percent 3pt, 82 percent ft

McDermott: 25.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, .3 spg, .1 bpg, 52 percent fg, 45 percent 3pt, 90 percent ft

Which one would you rather have for a single college season?

The spread: Seton Hall is getting 13 in this one. They've been playing well lately, but all those games have been on the road. Creighton for the cover.

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Record: 19-27 (Can I climb back to .500?)

Butler @ Creighton: L (picked Butler, +10.5)

UConn @ Memphis: L (picked Memphis, -7.5)

Depaul @ Villanova: W (picked Villanova, -17.5)

Pittsburg @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -5.5)

Creighton @ Villanova: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)

Baylor @ Kansas: W (picked Baylor, + 10.5)

Indiana @ Michigan State: L (picked Michigan State, -12)

Iowa @ Michigan: L (picked Iowa, + 1.5)

Colorado @ Arizona: W (picked Colorado, + 14.5)

Illinois @ Ohio State: W (picked Illinois, + 11)

Michigan @ Michigan State: W (picked Michigan, + 4.5)

Villanova @ Marquette: W (picked Villanova, -3)

Utah @ Arizona: W (picked Utah, + 15)

Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State: W (picked Oklahoma, + 4.5)

Villanova @ Georgetown: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)

Michigan State @ Iowa: W (picked Michigan State, + 5)

St. John's @ Creighton: W (picked St. John's, + 12)

Iowa State @ Kansas: L (picked Iowa State, + 8.5)

Syracuse @ Wake Forest: L (picked Syracuse, -10)

Purdue @ Michigan: L (picked Michigan, -12)

Florida @ Mississippi State: W (picked Miss. State, + 15)

Duke @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -3)

Xavier @ Villanova: L (picked Xavier, + 10)

Nebraska @ Michigan: L (picked Nebraska, + 13)

Boston College @ Virginia: L (picked Virginia, -13)

Oregon @ Arizona: L (picked Arizona, -11)

Oklahamo State @ Texas Tech: W (picked Texas Tech, + 6.5)

West Virginia @ Kansas: L (picked WVU, + 14)

Maryland @ Virginia: L (picked Virginia, -11)

Iowa State @ West Virginia: L (picked Iowa State, - 1.5)

Michigan @ Ohio State: L (picked Ohio State, -3.5)

Florida @ Tennessee: W (picked Florida, - 1.5)

Syracuse @ Pittsburg: W (picked Syracuse, + 2.5 -- absurd line)

Villanova @ Depaul: W (picked Villanova, -14)

Creighton @ Butler: L (picked Creighton, -8.5)

West Virginia @ Texas: W (picked Texas, -6)

Florida @ Kentucky: L (picked Kentucy, -2)

VCU @ Saint Louis: W (picked VCU, +4.5)

Villanova @ Creighton: L (picked Villanova, -3.5)

Texas @ Iowa State: L (picked Texas, +6)

Villanova @ Providence: L (picked Villanova, -4.5)

Wichita State @ Loyola: L (picked Loyola, + 13.5)

Creighton @ Marquette: W (picked Creighton, -3)

Gonzaga @ BYU: L (picked Gonzaga, +2)

Duke @ North Carolina: L (picked Duke, -2)

St. John's @ Villanova: W (picked St. John's, + 8.5)