The Tigers haven't looked quite themselves the past two weeks, perhaps a byproduct of the tough SEC slate. This might not be easy, either, especially for 6-10 Johni Broome, who is going to have to deal with the Big East's best rim protector in Creighton's 7-1 Ryan Kalkbrenner. Give the Bluejays a puncher's chance here because of their bomb squad that shot the lights out vs. Louisville led by Gs Jamiya Neal (29 points) and Steven Ashworth (22 points) vs. the Cards, plus Kalkbrenner (19.2 ppg). Creighton is also the least-fouling team (only 10.9 pg) in the nation, and foes don't get to the charity stripe very often (only 8 FTs for the 'Ville on Thursday)...important in a close game. Play Creighton (NCAA at Lexington)

In this second-round game at Rupp Arena I see an Auburn squad struggling in their last five and looking very beatable. Next up is Creighton. Auburn has lost three of their last five games and didn't cover any of the five. Creighton might put on one of those 19-2 runs as they did at the end of the first half against Louisville. That was only the first half but that was a knockout blow and they can do something similar to Auburn. They can cover against Auburn. Creighton.

Auburn has been less than impressive for several weeks now and their first half vs ALA ST was fairly dreadful and they seem too loose-goosey for my liking. They've failed to cover 5 straight and 7 of 9 and failed to cover all 7 of those games by 3+ points. Jays have covered 4 of 6, played SEC teams very tough early in season, beat St John's, won at UCONN are a top 40 KenPom O and D team, hold teams to 70 or less, excel on boards with a legit rebounding margin and had best assist/TO rate in Big East. Creighton has bodies and can get physical and basically won a road game with east vs Louisville. Tigers get too three-happy; inconsistent lately.