It was supposed to be the fortress. For years, the CHI Health Center in Omaha has been where Big East dreams go to die, especially for visiting teams from the East Coast who aren’t used to the flyover noise. But on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Rick Pitino’s St. John’s squad didn't just walk into the building—they basically took the keys and changed the locks.
The final score was 90-73. Honestly, it wasn’t even that close.
If you’re a Bluejays fan, this one stung. It wasn't just a loss; it was a demolition of the "home court advantage" narrative that Greg McDermott has spent over a decade building. Coming into this game, Creighton was 13-1 all-time at home against the Red Storm. They’d won the last two in Omaha by a single point. This time? No late-game heroics. No buzzer-beaters. Just a lot of Red Storm jerseys flying around and a lot of quiet Nebraskans.
The Shooting Variance That Broke the Game
Basketball is a game of "make or miss," but this was ridiculous. St. John's, a team that hasn't exactly been known as a bunch of flamethrowers this season, went out and shot 52.2% from three-point range. That’s 12-of-23 from deep.
Usually, when you play St. John's, you worry about the pressure. You worry about Zuby Ejiofor causing havoc in the paint or Dillon Mitchell cleaning up the glass. You don't necessarily expect a freshman like Lefteris Liotopoulos to come off the bench and drop a career-high 17 points with five triples. But that’s exactly what happened. Liotopoulos looked like he was shooting into a hula hoop.
👉 See also: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
Creighton actually started okay. They were up 23-18 about ten minutes in. They hit six of their first ten threes. Then, the lights just... went out. They missed seven of their next eight shots. They turned the ball over four times in a blink. By the time they looked at the scoreboard, St. John's was on a 17-2 run and the lead was gone for good.
Why Creighton Looked So Flat
McDermott didn't mince words afterward. He mentioned the "three games in six days" grind. You could see it in their legs. The Bluejays lacked that usual "teeth" on defense. When you’re tired, the first thing to go is your lateral quickness, and St. John’s exploited that by driving and kicking all afternoon.
- Rebounding: St. John's bullied them. 39-26 on the boards.
- Second Chance Points: 10-0 in favor of the Red Storm.
- Paint Points: A 34-24 deficit for the Jays.
When you lose the board battle by 13 and give up zero second-chance points of your own, you're basically asking for a blowout. Isaac Traudt tried to keep them in it with 14 points, and Blake Harper added 12, but the bench was non-existent.
The Pitino Factor
You have to give it to Rick Pitino. He’s 73 years old and still coaching circles around people when the stakes are high. This was a rematch of the 2025 Big East Tournament final—a game St. John's also won. There’s a psychological edge developing here. Pitino has figured out how to space Creighton’s drop-coverage defense. By putting five shooters on the floor, he forced Creighton’s bigs to either stay home and give up open threes or come out and get beat off the dribble.
✨ Don't miss: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
What This Means for the Big East Standings
This result scrambled the board. Creighton entered the day in second place; they left it in fifth. That’s the Big East for you. It’s a meat grinder. One bad Saturday and you’re suddenly looking at the middle of the pack wondering if you'll even get a double-bye in New York.
The "Johnnies" are now 11-5 and look like the juggernaut everyone expected in the preseason. They have six players scoring in double figures. That kind of balance is a nightmare to scout. If Oziyah Sellers is giving you 16 points and 5 assists while Zuby Ejiofor is racking up 4 steals and 6 assists from the center spot, you’re essentially unguardable.
Actionable Takeaways for the Rest of the Season
If you're betting on or following these teams moving forward, keep these reality checks in mind:
For Creighton Followers:
Watch the "fatigue" windows. The Jays rely heavily on their starters. When the schedule gets compressed (like 3 games in 6 days), their shooting percentages crater. They need more from the bench—guys like Jasen Green and Hudson Greer have to provide more than just "minutes." They need production.
🔗 Read more: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
For St. John's Followers:
Don't get used to 52% from three. That’s an outlier. However, the rebounding dominance is real. As long as they control the glass, they have a high floor. Their next big test is seeing if they can maintain this intensity against a team that plays a slower, more physical style like UConn or Providence.
What to watch next:
Keep an eye on the injury report for Josh Townley-Thomas. Creighton missed his size in the interior. Until they get healthy, they are vulnerable to teams with elite offensive rebounders.
The road to Madison Square Garden in March just got a whole lot more interesting. St. John's proved they can win anywhere, and Creighton proved that even in Omaha, nothing is guaranteed.