Greg McDermott breaks down Arkansas after instant classic

Creighton looked every bit the Final Four contender on Tuesday, holding off a game Arkansas team in a top 10 matchup at the Maui Invitational. And there was certainly plenty to talk about after the 90-87 victory, from the point guard battle between Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard and Arkansas’ Anthony Black to the overall atmosphere of the back-and-forth showdown.

Creighton led by as many as 12 points at one point, but couldn’t put away the athletic Razorbacks, beneficiaries of 26 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals from Black. But neither could Arkansas put away Creighton, thanks to Nembhard’s 25 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Nembhard had plenty of help, including 21 points, seven rebounds and two blocks from Ryan Kalkbrenner, 20 points, seven boards and three assists from Baylor Scheierman, 12 points, five rebounds and six assists from Trey Alexander and nine points, six rebounds, two steals and a block from Arthur Kaluma. That helped Creighton overcome a bench that combined for as many turnovers as points (three).

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Here’s what Creighton coach Greg McDermott and Creighton players said after the Bluejays’ win over Arkansas.