NCAAB · Final

Creighton Edges Villanova in Close Contest

Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · Finneran Pavilion

Creighton Bluejays 76, Villanova Wildcats 72, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Creighton Bluejays vs Villanova Wildcats?

Creighton Bluejays beat Villanova Wildcats 76-72 at Finneran Pavilion on January 7, 2026.

Who was favored in Creighton Bluejays vs Villanova Wildcats?

Villanova Wildcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -225 (about 69% implied). The underdog won.

In a thrilling matchup at Finneran Pavilion, the Creighton Bluejays triumphed over the Villanova Wildcats with a final score of 76-72. This victory marks a significant moment for Creighton, as they have now defeated Villanova in all three of their most recent meetings, continuing a trend that has seen them outperform their rivals in recent seasons.

Villanova entered the game with a strong home record of 12-3 and had been in excellent form, boasting a 9-1 record over their last ten games, including a five-game winning streak leading up to this contest. They averaged 75.9 points scored per game while allowing 65.4 points, showcasing a solid defensive and offensive balance. Their performance at home was particularly impressive, with a perfect 6-0 record in their last six home games. However, the Wildcats faced a challenging opponent in Creighton, who came into the game with a 10-6 record and a 6-4 record over their last ten games, though they had lost their most recent outing.

Creighton has shown a potent offensive capability, averaging 77.5 points per game while allowing 70.4. However, their away record of 1-3 in their last four games indicated some struggles on the road. In the previous two meetings between these teams, both in the 2025 season, Villanova had fallen short, losing 60-62 at home and 79-86 away, which added pressure to their performance in this matchup.

The injury situation did not significantly impact either team, as both squads were relatively healthy heading into the game. This allowed both coaches to field their preferred lineups, which contributed to the high level of competition witnessed on the court.

Before the game, the betting market, as provided by DraftKings, favored Villanova with a spread of -4.5 and a moneyline of -225, indicating a belief that they would secure the win at home. The total for the game was set at 142.5, reflecting expectations for a moderately high-scoring affair.

The conditions in Finneran Pavilion were conducive to a competitive game, with a lively crowd that added to the atmosphere. Fans were treated to a back-and-forth contest, with both teams exchanging leads throughout the game.

As the game progressed, Creighton’s resilience became evident. Key plays from Duke Brennan and Jasen Green helped maintain their lead in the second half, while Acaden Lewis and Josh Dix contributed crucial baskets that kept Villanova at bay. Despite Villanova's efforts to close the gap, including a late surge, they could not overcome the Bluejays’ lead.

Ultimately, this game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with Creighton proving their mettle once again against Villanova, solidifying their position in the league and setting the stage for future encounters.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	VILL -4.5	142.5 o -110 / u -110	Creighton Bluejays +185 · Villanova Wildcats -225

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsAcaden Lewis20Villanova Wildcats
AssistsAcaden Lewis7Villanova Wildcats
ReboundsDuke Brennan12Villanova Wildcats
PointsAustin Swartz20Creighton Bluejays
AssistsAustin Swartz3Creighton Bluejays
ReboundsJasen Green7Creighton Bluejays

Recent form

Villanova Wildcats

Last 10: 9-1Streak W575.9 scored · 65.4 allowed per game6-0 at home

W85-67at Butler BulldogsJan 3
W71-66vs DePaul Blue DemonsDec 31
W64-56at Seton Hall PiratesDec 24
W76-66vs Wisconsin BadgersDec 20
W79-61vs Pittsburgh PanthersDec 13
L61-89at Michigan WolverinesDec 9
W90-63vs Pennsylvania QuakersDec 7
W74-56vs Temple OwlsDec 1
W89-75vs Old Dominion MonarchsNov 26
W70-55at La Salle ExplorersNov 20

Creighton Bluejays

Last 10: 6-4Streak L177.5 scored · 70.4 allowed per game1-3 away

L54-56at Seton Hall PiratesJan 4
W89-85vs Butler BulldogsDec 31
W92-69vs Utah Tech TrailblazersDec 23
W84-63vs Marquette Golden EaglesDec 21
W98-57at Xavier MusketeersDec 17
L76-83vs Kansas State WildcatsDec 13
L50-71at Nebraska CornhuskersDec 7
W96-76vs Nicholls ColonelsDec 3
W76-66vs Oregon DucksNov 27
L60-78at Iowa State CyclonesNov 25

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
St. John's	30-7	-	18-2
UConn	34-6	1	17-3
Villanova	24-9	3	15-5
Seton Hall	21-12	8	10-10
Creighton	16-18	9	9-11
DePaul	16-16	10	8-12
Butler	16-16	11	7-13
Providence	15-18	11	7-13
Marquette	12-20	11	7-13
Georgetown	16-18	12	6-14
Xavier	15-18	12	6-14

Box score

Stat	Creighton Bluejays	Villanova Wildcats
Field goals	29-58	29-66
Field goal %	50	44
Three-pointers	7-23	6-24
Three-point %	30	25
Free throws	11-16	8-11
Free throw %	69	73
Rebounds	39	30
Offensive rebounds	13	12
Defensive rebounds	26	18
Assists	10	14
Steals	3	4
Blocks	3	2
Turnovers	8	6
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	7	12
Fast-break points	7	4
Points in the paint	30	38
Fouls	12	15
Largest lead	7	10
Lead changes	1	1
Time in front	25	69

How the scoring went

2nd Half38-40Tyler Perkins makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half38-41Tyler Perkins makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half41-41Josh Dix makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jasen Green assists)
2nd Half41-43Devin Askew makes 8-foot floating jump shot (Duke Brennan assists)
2nd Half43-43Nik Graves makes 14-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half43-45Acaden Lewis makes driving layup
2nd Half45-45Blake Harper makes 9-foot hook shot
2nd Half45-47Duke Brennan makes 7-foot hook shot
2nd Half46-47Jasen Green makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half46-49Devin Askew makes 10-foot step back jumpshot
2nd Half46-51Acaden Lewis makes 8-foot jumper
2nd Half48-51Austin Swartz makes 17-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half49-51Blake Harper makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half50-51Blake Harper makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half50-53Tyler Perkins makes 17-foot jumper
2nd Half53-53Austin Swartz makes 26-foot three point jumper (Ty Davis assists)
2nd Half55-53Blake Harper makes 7-foot jumper
2nd Half57-53Fedor Zugic makes layup
2nd Half59-53Blake Harper makes layup
2nd Half59-54Duke Brennan makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-55Duke Brennan makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half59-56Duke Brennan makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-57Duke Brennan makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half62-57Austin Swartz makes 25-foot three point jumper (Nik Graves assists)
2nd Half64-57Blake Harper makes 11-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half64-59Matt Hodge makes driving layup (Duke Brennan assists)
2nd Half66-59Josh Dix makes 17-foot step back jumpshot
2nd Half66-62Acaden Lewis makes 24-foot three point jumper (Bryce Lindsay assists)
2nd Half68-62Josh Dix makes 12-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half68-64Duke Brennan makes layup
2nd Half69-64Jasen Green makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-64Jasen Green makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-66Duke Brennan makes layup
2nd Half72-66Jasen Green makes layup
2nd Half72-68Acaden Lewis makes layup
2nd Half74-68Josh Dix makes 9-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half74-70Bryce Lindsay makes layup
2nd Half75-70Ty Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half76-70Ty Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half76-72Acaden Lewis makes driving layup