Texas Southern vs Creighton Odds, Pick for Saturday

Below, we have Texas Southern vs Creighton odds and a pick for Saturday, Nov. 18.

On a weekend full of huge college sports action, one of the nation's best men's basketball teams takes the floor as a big home favorite.

The Creighton Bluejays have dreams of a deep run this March, but they have plenty of work to do in the months leading up to the Big Dance.

Next on the docket: the Texas Southern Tigers, a deceptively good 0-3 team through the first few weeks of play.

Let's break down Texas Southern vs. Creighton.

Texas Southern has been the premier program in the SWAC, winning each of the last three conference tournament titles. Former LSU coach Johnny Jones has built a team that's expected to win its conference each season, with growing expectations out of the league.

So far, the Tigers haven't been able to make a mark this season, in part due to a daunting schedule. Texas Southern has played three top-100 KenPom teams, with three more — including Creighton — on the slate before conference play.

The Tigers competed with Arizona State, trailing by only single digits deep into the second half.

Virginia and New Mexico had no trouble dispatching Texas Southern, which has struggled to score efficiently. The Tigers haven't topped 55 points in a game yet this season, despite a faster than average pace.

The must-have app for college basketball bettors

The best NCAAB betting scoreboard

Free picks from proven pros

Live win probabilities for your bets

DOWNLOAD NOW

Creighton entered the season as one of the favorites in the Big East, and a team with real Final Four aspirations after returning most of an Elite Eight roster from last season.

Like every team, however, the Bluejays entered as an unfinished project with lingering questions. Trey Alexander, Baylor Scheierman and Ryan Kalkbrenner needed to play not just like upperclassmen but like some of the elite talents in the Big East for Creighton to hang with Marquette and UConn.

So far, they've fit the bill. That trio is averaging nearly 50 combined points per game. They make up the foundation of an offense that ranks in the top 20 nationally in points per game and the top five in Offensive Efficiency.

Questions do remain beyond that trio. Steven Ashworth, a prized transfer from Utah State, has shot the ball well but faded into the background a bit.

Creighton is also looking for production from its fifth starter, so far calling on Mason Miller, son of former NBAer Mike Miller. He's played better in more minutes this season than his limited run in 2022-23, though Creighton's schedule hasn't really provided a test yet.

The real season-defining questions for Creighton will come on the defensive end of the floor, especially when it reaches Big East and postseason play. This team can score with anyone and will continue to put up some eye-popping offensive numbers, yet it will need to find stops to win big games.

Texas Southern's offense wont pose much of a threat, certainly not enough to keep pace with the hot-shooting Bluejays, but it does throw a wrench at Creighton's individual defenders.

Jones preaches a downhill, penetration offense that leads to chaos at the rim. The Tigers post a high free-throw rate year after year. Creighton's defenders will need to avoid fouls and prove they can stop dribble penetration.

It's not enough of a problem to think Creighton won't win handily (or cover), but it's just enough for this game to push over. Creighton will continue to toss up high numbers, and Texas Southern will do its part to hit the total here.

Pick: Over 143

ESPN BET has officially launched launching their new sportsbook. Register with Action’s ESPN BET promo code TANBONUS for a welcome offer!