MBB Minute – In the only game on Wednesday’s BIG EAST schedule, eighth-ranked Creighton was beaten by UNLV 79-64 in the Jack Jones Classic in Henderson, Nev.

After the game’s opening minutes, the Bluejays (8-2) fell behind and could not get the lead back. The usually reliable perimeter shooting did not materialize as Creighton made only 8-of-29 from beyond the arc.
 
Ryan Kalkbrenner led the Bluejays with 22 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots. Baylor Scheierman contributed 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Creighton went into the game allowing less than four 3-pointers per game. UNLV made 10-of-22 from beyond the arc.
 
The Thursday slate also shows just one game. No. 7 Marquette hosts St. Thomas (Minn.) at 8 p.m. ET on FS1 in its last non-conference game before BIG EAST play begins. The Golden Eagles (8-2) own a 17-game winning streak at Fiserv Forum. They lead the BIG EAST in steals with an 8.6 average.
 
Friday’s schedule has two games. Butler looks to extend its five-game winning streak when it hosts Saginaw Valley State at 7 p.m. ET. The Bulldogs (8-2) are averaging 83.6 points per game and have scored 80 or more points seven times after reaching the 80-point plateau only six times last season.
 
No. 5 Connecticut battles No. 10 Gonzaga in Seattle at 10 p.m. on ESPN. The Huskies (9-1) lead the BIG EAST in several statistical categories, including scoring offense (87.4), scoring defense (63.2), scoring margin (24.2) and rebound margin (13.8).