Creighton advanced in the 2026 College Basketball Crown by defeating Rutgers, 82-69, marking coach Greg McDermott's 366th victory before his retirement. The Bluejays' performance peaked in the second half with a 51-point outburst, led by point guard Nik Graves who scored 28 points. Meanwhile, Rutgers, despite showing promise with a young roster, fell short as they could not maintain their early lead. In other action, West Virginia topped Stanford, where the standout was Cardinal's Ebuka Okorie, who scored 34 points but couldn't secure the win.

By the Numbers
  • Creighton scored 51 points in the second half against Rutgers, shooting 61.5% from the field.
  • Nik Graves scored a season-high 28 points, with 25 coming in the second half.
  • West Virginia's Ebuka Okorie led the game with 34 points in an overtime win against Stanford.
State of Play
  • Creighton will face West Virginia in the semifinals on Saturday, a matchup between Creighton's offense and West Virginia's defense.
  • The Bluejays are seeking to send Coach McDermott off with a championship in his final season.
  • Rutgers aims to keep its promising young players amid transfer portal concerns for next season.
What's Next

Looking ahead, Creighton must capitalize on their offensive strengths against West Virginia鈥檚 solid defensive unit. The outcome may hinge on the efficiency of Graves and the Bluejays' ability to maintain momentum. For Rutgers and Stanford, both teams will reshape their rosters in preparation for the next season, focusing on retaining young talent as the transfer portal opens.

Bottom Line

The storylines from Day 2 of the College Basketball Crown underscore critical transitions for Creighton and Rutgers while highlighting the potential of rising stars like Okorie. As teams navigate the path forward, maintaining core players and adapting to fresh dynamics will be pivotal in shaping next season's success.