NORMAL - Creighton was so anxious for Saturday's game it arrived two days early. Well, that's not exactly right. Instead of going home to Omaha, Neb., after winning at Indiana State on Wednesday, the Bluejays headed to Bloomington-Normal the next day. | Gameday glance | MVC scores, stats

That has meant plenty of bowl-game watching in their hotel rooms, but enough of that.

The time has finally come for an early-season Missouri Valley Conference basketball showdown when ISU (13-0) and Creighton (12-2) collide at 7:05 at Redbird Arena. Both teams are 2-0 in the league.

Even Creighton coach Dana Altman, who is as mild-mannered as anyone, can't shake the feeling this is a biggie.

"Anytime you play an undefeated team it adds something to it," said Altman. "I'm sure it will be a great atmosphere and a lot of fun.

"It's real early in the conference season and not a make-or-break game for either one of us, but it's an important game."

ISU, among six unbeaten teams left in the country heading into today, shares the nation's longest winning streak with North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Clemson.

Creighton, the Valley preseason favorite, isn't far behind.

The Bluejays suffered a pair of two-point road losses to Arkansas-Little Rock and Nebraska in late November before ripping off their current nine-game winning streak, tied for seventh in the country.

ISU has won its last three games against the Bluejays. Still, the Redbirds feel they have something to prove.

"Everyone picked Creighton No. 1 (in the preseason), everywhere you looked," said ISU junior guard Lloyd Phillips. "I guess no one knew what we had. This is a statement (game) for us."

This is only the second time in the Valley's 102-year history that two teams with at least nine-game win streaks have faced each other. The Redbirds remember the other quite well.

That came last year when ISU (9) and Drake (14) squared off in Des Moines, Iowa. The Redbirds came out on the short end of a 79-73 decision.

"Both teams will be excited to play, and I'm sure there will be a lot of energy on the floor," said ISU coach Tim Jankovich. "Who handles that better will probably be the team that wins."

On the court and stat sheet, ISU and Creighton bear striking resemblances.

Both teams often play with four guards surrounded by a single post player. ISU disguises Champ Oguchi as a forward, while the Bluejays do the same with Justin Carter.

The Redbirds lead the Valley in scoring at 76.7 points per game, with Creighton close behind at 76.4. ISU is averaging a league-high 9.7 made 3-pointers. Next is Creighton at 9.1.

Both teams warmed up for Saturday by going 3-point happy on Wednesday. Creighton sank 15 3-pointers while disposing of Indiana State, 79-61, while the Redbirds bombed in 14 treys in an 80-50 rout over Evansville.

"We're playing a little better, but still not where I think we need to be or want to be," said Altman. "It's an on-going process. We're still a young team that has a lot of growing up to do."

Booker Woodfox might be just 6-foot-1, but he could be the biggest presence in the Valley. The Bluejays' senior guard, who ranks No. 2 in the league in scoring (17.6 ppg), has made a league-best 44 3-pointers and shoots 53 percent behind the arc.

"He's one of the best shooters in the country, bar none," said Jankovich. "Between his numbers, how quick he gets it off and his range, I would say on TV I haven't seen a better shooter."

Phillips knows Woodfox and many of Creighton's players quite well from summer pick-up games when he was at Iowa Western Community College, which is just over the Missouri River from Omaha. He said the Bluejays never recruited him.

"I was 10 minutes away, but it doesn't really bug me. I'm glad they didn't," said Phillips. "I wouldn't be 13-0. I came to the perfect place."

'Cash only' lines

Upper bowl tickets for $3 are available for Saturday's game. To help alleviate any congestion at the Redbird Arena Ticket Office windows, "cash only" lines will be available at the south and west gates.