Creighton coach Greg McDermott expects a difficult game when the sixth-seeded Bluejays take on the 11th seeded Rhode Island in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Sacramento, California.
Though the Bluejays are the higher-ranked team, analysts expect them to have a tough time against a Rhode Island squad that enters the NCAA Tournament on the heels of its Atlantic 10 Tournament title, where they beat VCU 70-63 in the Finals.
"I watched part of that game, and they appear to be extremely active and physical defensively," McDermott said of the Rams, which feature one of the best shot-blockers in the country in Hassan Martin.
"So we'll certainly have our hands full."
Creighton vs. Rhode Island in Sacramento#LetsDance!
— Creighton Basketball (@BluejayMBB) March 12, 2017
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Creighton has lost five of its last nine games heading into the NCAA Tournament, including a 60-74 setback to No. 1 seed Villanova in the finals of the Big East Tournament. The Bluejays have been up-and-down since losing guard Maurice Watson to injury.
Rhode Island, in contrast, is on a roll, having won eight straight games heading into the Big Dance.
SB Nation has tabbed the Rams as a potential tournament darling, and named their guard E.C. Matthews as a player to watch.
We're going to Sacramento, California!!! 😏💙🐦#GoJays#LetsDance
— Kobe | KoKo Wave (@_kokoparas) March 12, 2017
"They can play, too, with rim defending force Hassan Martin No. 16 nationally in blocks per game. Creighton is going to have earn points in the paint in this match-up," wrote Richard Johnson as he penciled in the Creighton-Rhode Island game as one of the "must watch" first round match-ups.
Even as he is anticipating a difficult contest, McDermott has full confidence in his team.
"For us to be seeded as one of the top 24 teams in the country, given everything we've been through, it's a testament to the will and togetherness, the cohesiveness of this group," he said.
According to the Creighton athletics website, the Bluejays have only played against Rhode Island once before - a 74-73 win for Creighton in the 2008 NIT.
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