Contrary to what you may have heard, Saturday’s BracketBuster game is a big one for the Creighton Bluejays and may be the difference between them dancing in March and sitting on the couch at home.

It was only a few weeks ago that Jays fans were grumbling when they heard Creighton’s BracketBuster matchup was going to be Long Beach State instead of the nationally ranked St. Mary’s (CA) team that they were hoping to be matched up with.

St. Mary’s was matched up with previously undefeated Murray State and many Jay’s fans were questioning what meaning this game against LBSU had.

Now, after three straight losses and talk of being on the NCAA Tournament bubble, Saturday’s 9:00 p.m. matchup at the Century Link Center has become a huge game that could determine the course of the rest of the season.

After losses in the past week to Northern Iowa, Evansville and Wichita State, Creighton sits at 21-5 overall and 11-4 in the MVC and have all but locked up a runner up finish in the conference being down by two games with three to play. However, Saturday’s matchup with the 49ers can only help in terms of resume building for the NCAA tournament.

“With as well as Long Beach has played and the schedule it has played, it’s not going to keep either team out of the tournament win or lose,” Creighton head coach Greg McDermott said. “And it can certainly enhance your opportunities for seeding and give you an opportunity to play your way into the tournament.”

With a win, Creighton earns its third win of the season against an RPI top 50 team and is sitting in a good spot heading into the last week of conference play, with games against Evansville and Indiana State remaining before

the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The win also ends the three game losing streak that has put the Jays in NCAA bubble conversations, and would provide a much needed confidence boost to a squad that was ranked 12th in the country two weeks ago, only to see themselves drop out of the top 25 for the

first time since mid-November.

Don’t expect the 49ers to just roll over and

let the Jays win, however. They are looking for their own signature win to propel them into at- large consideration for the NCAA tournament.

At 19-6 overall with an impressive 12-0 start in Big West Conference play, the 49ers have played one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country and haven’t lost a game since a Christmas Day setback at Kansas State. Of the six non-conference losses for LBSU, four came against ranked teams (North Carolina, Kansas, Louisville and San Diego State).

The 49ers also showed in the non- conference that they can hang with top programs, posting wins over ranked foes Pittsburgh and Xavier.

The 49ers are led by the lethal back court duo of Casper Ware and Larry Anderson, who combine to average 32 points per game. T.J. Robinson anchors the team inside, averaging 12.3 points and a conference-leading 10.3 rebounds per game.

And although the 49ers have yet to be ranked, they’re receiving votes and are just outside the USA Today/ESPN coach’s poll and the AP Top 25.

A win against the Bluejays may push Long Beach State over the hump into the rankings and into the NCAA Tournament, providing extra motivation for a team that’s in need of this win just as much as Creighton is. Playing in a weaker conference, this is LBSU’s last chance to get a quality win before the NCAA Tournament.

“I think our guys are very battled-tested,” Long Beach State coach Dan Monson said.

Senior center Gregory Echenique shoots over the opposing Witchita State University Shocker. The Jays moved into second place in the MVC standings. Photo by Teka Bundy

“This is a group that is very hungry. It’s never been to the NCAA Tournament, and the legacy of these seniors is riding on that and they’re pretty focused to get that done.”

A win for Creighton on Saturday would come at just the right time and hopefully propel the Jays to an MVC Conference Tournament

title run. A loss, and Creighton has some more work to do in hopefully securing an NCAA Tournament bid.

Whatever the outcome, this BracketBuster game could end up punching one team’s ticket to the big dance.