In a thrilling conclusion to the year, the Big East conference presents an exciting doubleheader on Peacock this New Year's Eve. The day begins with Seton Hall facing Xavier at 2 PM ET, followed by the highly anticipated matchup between St. John’s Red Storm and Creighton Blue Jays at 4 PM ET. This game marks the 30th meeting between these two teams, with Creighton holding a slight edge in their historical encounters. However, St. John’s enters the contest riding a six-game winning streak, while Creighton seeks to regain consistency after a recent slump.

St. John’s Momentum and Key Players

The Red Storm have been unstoppable recently, boasting an impressive 11-2 record overall and a perfect 2-0 in conference play. Their last loss was back in November, and they have since dominated opponents, often by significant margins. In their most recent victory over Delaware, St. John’s showcased their depth and resilience, leading from start to finish with six players scoring in double digits.

A standout performer for St. John’s has been Deivon Smith, who contributed 20 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists in the win against Delaware. Alongside Smith, juniors Zuby Ejiofor and RJ Luis Jr. have been instrumental in driving the team’s success. These three players will be crucial in maintaining the momentum as St. John’s looks to extend their winning streak on the road today. The Red Storm’s balanced attack and strong defensive presence make them formidable opponents, especially when playing with such confidence and cohesion.

Creighton’s Recent Performance and Star Player

After starting the season strong with four consecutive wins, Creighton has faced challenges in maintaining consistency. Their last victory came against Villanova, breaking a two-game losing streak and securing their first conference win of the season. Despite the ups and downs, the Blue Jays remain a force to be reckoned with, particularly due to the stellar performance of senior Ryan Kalkbrenner. Standing at 7’1”, Kalkbrenner led the scoring in the Villanova game with 23 points, one of three players to reach the 20-point mark that night.

Kalkbrenner’s contributions extend beyond scoring; he has also excelled defensively, earning multiple Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards. With key players like Baylor Scheierman moving on to professional basketball, Kalkbrenner has taken on a more prominent role within the team. His leadership and versatility could be pivotal in determining the outcome of today’s game. As the Blue Jays look to build on their recent win, they will need to leverage Kalkbrenner’s talents and find ways to stabilize their performance against a motivated and confident St. John’s squad.