Some games in the 2022 NCAA Tournament have has shown us how entertaining March Madness can be, even when the games are not especially well played. Saturday’s game between Kansas and Creighton showed us just how entertaining a well-played game is.
The No. 9 seeded Bluejays gave the No. 1 seeded Jayhawks everything they could. But Creighton’s lack of depth — combined with a sterling effort from Kansas — was too much to overcome. The Jayhawks advanced to the Sweet 16 with a 79-72 win.
MADE IT SWEET pic.twitter.com/uUizWdKAVp
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) March 19, 2022
heck of a run#GoJays x #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/yr5dMZJtoa
— Creighton Men’s Basketball (@BluejayMBB) March 19, 2022
College basketball fans had to lot to say about the game on Twitter in the moments after it ended. The effort of Kansas sixth man Remy Martin, who led his team with 20 points, was heavily praised.
Kansas + Peak Remy Martin = a different team than we saw for most of the regular season.
Jayhawks onto the Sweet 16.
An incredible season for Creighton.
A better season for Greg McDermott, one of the best coaches in college basketball.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 19, 2022
Remy Martin update, the former @SunDevilHoops standout had 20 pts (7-14 from field), 7 rebounds, 4 assists 1 block and only 1 TO for Kansas in 79-72 win over Creighton. So for those that came at me yesterday about seeing what he does against a better opponent . . . there's that
— Michelle Gardner (@MGardnerSports) March 19, 2022
In the two months before the Big 12 tournament, Remy Martin played 10 games & missed 10 games due to injury. In the 10 games played, he averaged 3.1 points in 14.1 minutes.
Remy Martin’s last four games? 14.3 points with 15 assists and just ONE turnover. Rounding back into form.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 19, 2022
Kansas will have a few days to soak in the victory. But the Jayhawks will shortly have to turn their attention to the Sweet 16 — and possibly beyond. Coming off of the tough win against Creighton, what chance does Kansas have?
According to some who followed the game, winning a tough game is a good omen.
Kansas just took the best possible blow that Creighton could ever deliver. Kansas just won the infamous fluky tournament game that always clips Bill Self.
NOW GO WIN THE WHOLE DAMN THING!
— Talkin’ Hawks (@TalkinHawks) March 19, 2022
This Kansas team is so well-rounded. Survives a great performance from Creighton and moves on to the Sweet 16. My national title pick advances.
— Tyler Smith (@TylerJSmithh) March 19, 2022
Others were not exactly convinced, feeling a narrow win over an injury-riddled Creighton team will spell doom for Kansas soon enough.
That is one hell of an unimpressive win for Kansas over a shorthanded Creighton team. They’ve been gift wrapped a Final Four by the committee. Will need to play better than that to make it out of the region of frauds.
— The Brotherhood (@BrotherhoodCBB) March 19, 2022
Kansas won’t win the Natty. Selling big time. Fully healthy Creighton team wins that game.
— Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) March 19, 2022
The other story of the game was the effort by the Bluejays. Without Ryan Kalkbrenner and Ryan Nembhard, Creighton had virtually no depth. Until the game’s final seconds, the Bluejays played only six players. Going against Kansas, it would have been easy for Creighton to just roll over — particularly as the Jayhawks had three scorers in double-digits and didn’t miss a free throw until the final minute of the game.
But that didn’t happen. The effort of the Bluejays received a lot of praise. And given how much talent will be returning, people are already looking ahead to what Creighton may do next season.
Quite an effort by Creighton. Greg McDermott will have a Big East championship contending team next season with the majority of this core returning. Kansas has made the finishing plays. Great game.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 19, 2022
Kansas survives.
Kansas advances.
But the story here is Creighton.
1. What an incredible run the last few weeks down a million guys
2. If everyone who returns that's supposed to (Kaluma, Kalkbrenner, Nembhard etc.) this is a preseason Top 10 team heading into 2022-2023.
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) March 19, 2022
What an effort by Creighton
Without Nembhard and Kalkbrenner they almost beat Kansas.
That’s a possible National Title contender next year. Top 5-10 team
— Max Toscano (@maxtoscano1) March 19, 2022
If Kansas and Creighton do square off again in the tournament next year, we doubt anyone would complain.
