NCAA basketball scores: Creighton, Louisville get wins in March Madness

Apnews - Mar 20th, 2025
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Ninth-seeded Creighton defeated eighth-seeded Louisville 89-75 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, led by Jamiya Neal's career-high 29 points and 12 rebounds. Steven Ashworth also contributed significantly with 22 points, including four 3-pointers, helping Creighton advance to face No. 1 seed Auburn in the second round. The Bluejays showcased their postseason prowess, securing their fifth consecutive March Madness opener win under coach Greg McDermott.

The victory was significant for Creighton as they aim for their fourth Sweet 16 appearance in five years. Louisville, seeded No. 10 in the AP Top 25, faced challenges despite an improved season under first-year coach Pat Kelsey. The Cardinals, featuring a transfer-heavy roster, made their first March Madness appearance since 2019 but struggled against Creighton's experienced lineup. The match highlighted Creighton's effective strategy of dominating the 3-point line and controlling the game's momentum, showcasing the team's depth and readiness for the tournament's challenges.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive and accurate account of the NCAA Tournament game between Creighton and Louisville, highlighting key performances and strategic insights. It excels in clarity and timeliness, capturing a significant event in the sports calendar. However, the article could benefit from more balanced coverage and enhanced source quality by incorporating additional perspectives and expert analysis. While it engages sports fans effectively, its broader impact and public interest are somewhat limited to those already invested in college basketball. Overall, the story is a solid piece of sports journalism that effectively informs its target audience.

RATING DETAILS

9
Accuracy

The story accurately reports the outcome of the NCAA Tournament game where Creighton defeated Louisville 89-75. It correctly details individual performances, such as Jamiya Neal scoring a career-high 29 points and Steven Ashworth contributing 22 points. The article also accurately mentions Creighton's postseason history and Louisville's season improvement under a new coach. However, while the game details and statistics are precise, the story could enhance its accuracy by providing more context or sources for claims about team rankings and seedings, which are crucial for readers unfamiliar with the current standings.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced perspective on the game by highlighting performances from both Creighton and Louisville players. It quotes both coaches, Greg McDermott and Pat Kelsey, giving insight into their strategies and reactions. However, the focus tends to lean slightly towards Creighton's achievements and strategies, with more detailed analysis of their gameplay. Including more quotes or insights from Louisville players or analysts could enhance the balance by providing a fuller picture of the game's dynamics.

8
Clarity

The article is clear and well-structured, providing a coherent narrative of the game's events and key performances. It uses straightforward language and logical flow, making it accessible to readers familiar with basketball. However, for those less familiar with the sport, some terms and statistics could be better explained to enhance comprehension. Overall, the article maintains a neutral tone, focusing on factual reporting rather than opinion.

6
Source quality

The article primarily relies on direct observations from the game and quotes from the coaches, which are credible and relevant sources for sports reporting. However, it lacks external sources or expert analysis that could provide additional context or verify claims about team rankings and historical performance. Incorporating data from official NCAA sources or sports analysts could improve the depth and reliability of the reporting.

6
Transparency

The article is transparent in its reporting of the game's outcome and player performances, but it lacks explicit sourcing for some claims, such as team rankings and postseason history. While it effectively attributes quotes to the respective coaches, it would benefit from clarifying the basis for statistical claims and rankings, potentially through links to official NCAA data or expert commentary.

Sources

  1. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/louisville-vs-creighton-live-score-updates-highlights-2025-march-madness-round-1-game/977f4d74b57b7c03e761d8a3
  2. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401745959/creighton-louisville
  3. https://theacc.com/boxscore.aspx?id=7ltyipP022aUJKmSgYVs3wXi7up73ghniwD5ElWyd07J7BNseBaMQePf0fY%2F3yUPqS3E98jm3nxbGOr4L7E4Rt4HkMbF2nt6d%2BcUuGJr1RzSHYe1nvb5%2BlVArVOjNMb5KGI%2BYhk3I38Gavplo2DvCehPDUrpB5BZASPIyluivEk%3D&path=mbball
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ9RnPU92FI
  5. https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2025-03-20/creighton-big-east-send-warning-opponents-early-tournament-success