The DePaul Blue Demons (6-6, 0-1 Big East) are in Omaha on Christmas Day to take on the Creighton Bluejays (7-6, 1-1). Tip Sunday is at 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the DePaul at Creighton odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
After beating No. 10 Arkansas 90-87 in Maui on Nov. 22, Creighton went winless in its next 6 games, with 2 of those losses against top-10 teams in Arizona and Texas. The losing streak ended Thursday when the Bluejays (-8.5) beat Butler 78-56 to even their Big East record.
DePaul has been a cellar dweller in the Big East in recent years. The Blue Demons have fallen on tough times, as shown by being 15.5-point underdogs in this game despite only being a half-game behind Creighton in the record column. DePaul (+8.5) was crushed 83-45 by Northwestern on Saturday..
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DePaul at Creighton odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:06 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): DePaul +700 (bet $100 to win $700) | Creighton -1400 (bet $1,400 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): DePaul +15.5 (-110) | Creighton -15.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
DePaul at Creighton picks and predictions
Prediction
Creighton 78, DePaul 60
Moneyline
PASS.
With Creighton being the better team and favored by so much on Christmas, -1400 is not a gift. It is a reason not to bet the moneyline. It is too high and there is no reason to make a play on this number.
Against the spread
BET CREIGHTON -15.5 (-110).
Creighton can score when it hits its 3-point shots. Being at home, the Bluejay will feel more comfortable shooting, and this will lead to those shots going in more often than they have in recent games. DePaul will be forced to keep up, but will be unable. This will lead to lots of missed shots and numerous more opportunities for Creighton. A blowout could be on the horizon in Omaha. I am willing to gamble it will happen. Give me Creighton -15.5 (-110) as my favorite play.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 145.5 (-105).
Like I said, Creighton will hit its 3s on Sunday, but DePaul will struggle to score. This is the only reason I do not see this game automatically hitting the Over.
Creighton will get to 80, but it won’t be enough to get this game Over the 145.5. I think DePaul will struggle and this is what I am counting on with this wager. I will take the total Under 145.5 (-105).
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