Texas Basketball vs. Creighton: 3 bold predictions for top-7 showdown

We are roughly 24 hours from the next premier matchup in the non-conference schedule for head coach Chris Beard and No. 2 ranked Texas basketball. Texas is set to host the No. 7 ranked Creighton Blue Jays at home at the brand-new Moody Center in the Big 12/Big East Battle on Dec. 1.

This will be the second time a top-10 matchup has taken place at the Moody Center for the Longhorns through the first half-dozen games of the regular season. The other one saw Texas catapult the No. 2 Gonzaga Bulldogs in Austin on Nov. 16 by nearly a 20-point margin.

Moreover, Texas carries a record of 5-0 (0-0 Big 12) into this matchup in the Big 12/Big East Battle against Creighton on Dec. 1 after a dominant 91-54 win over the UTRGV Vaqueros on Nov. 26 to close out the Leon Black Classic. Beard and the Longhorns are also 4-0 at the Moody Center this season.

Meanwhile, Creighton comes into this game with a record of 6-1 (0-0 Big East) following a close two-point loss against the No. 14 Arizona Wildcats on Nov. 23 to close out the Maui Invitational. Prior to falling short to Arizona, though, Creighton had two straight top-25 wins over the No. 21 Texas Tech Red Raiders and No. 9 Arkansas Razorbacks.

According to the ESPN Basketball Power Index, Texas has an 80.5 percent chance of beating Creighton in this game.

Bold predictions for top-seven matchup between Tyrese Hunter and No. 2 Texas basketball and No. 7 Creighton

Here’s a look at three bold predictions as the Longhorns get set to host the Blue Jays for a top-seven showdown on Dec. 1.

Dillon Mitchell reels in three offensive boards

One of the biggest challenges for the Longhorns in this game will be keeping pace with Creighton on the boards. Creighton ranks 24th in the country this season in team rebounding percentage, at 56.2

Meanwhile, Texas ranks 135th in the country in team rebounding percentage, at 52.3.

Texas will have to contend with a lot of length in the Creighton frontcourt, including a seven-footer and two other bigs that stand at least at 6-foot-9 that are averaging more than three rebounds per game each. Creighton plays good fundamental basketball down low, evident by the fact that it allows barely over 30 rebounds per game, good for top 15 in the country.

And it’s especially difficult to get going on the offensive glass against Creighton. So far this season, Creighton is allowing 7.1 offensive rebounds per game, good for top 10 in the country.

Given that Texas is a team that likes to hit the offensive glass often to steal away some extra possessions, this will be a difficult matchup down low. One player that does give Texas an edge on the glass, though, is true freshman forward Dillon Mitchell.

Creighton has yet to face a forward quite as athletic and bouncy as Mitchell this season. Mitchell ranks near the top of the Big 12, and in the top 20 in the country, with an offensive-rebounding percentage of 17.6.

Mitchell really makes a living on the offensive glass, and we’ve already seen him throw down some thunderous putbacks this season. And his physical gifts should give Texas an edge on the glass against an athletically overmatched Creighton team.