Creighton Bluejays
Big East (21-11, 10-8)
Creighton managed to stick around in the Big East race despite the presence of Xavier and Villanova. Finishing third behind the Musketeers and Wildcats is nothing to be ashamed of and it sets up the Bluejays nicely for a potentially decent run in the NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 11/20 vs UCLA (92-88), 1/17 Seton Hall (80-63), 2/24 Villanova (89-83)
Bad Losses: 11/21 vs Baylor (59-65), 2/17 Marquette (86-90), 2/20 at Butler (70-93)
Coach: Greg McDermott
Why They Can Surprise:
Marcus Foster and Khyri Thomas form one of the most dangerous backcourt duos in the country. Foster averages 20.3 points and scored in double figures in 33 straight games, dating back to last season, until he put up just nine points in a win against Georgetown in January. Having that kind of consistency has been a huge boost for the Bluejays. Foster’s impressive three-point shooting does not hurt either. Thomas is right on the same level as Foster, although slightly less productive in the scoring department. On the year he averaged 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.7 steals and shot 41.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Creighton’s frontcourt took a big hit when Martin Krampelj was lost for the year with an ACL injury in mid-January. He was averaging 11.9 points and 8.1 rebounds. His loss leaves 6-7 wing Ronnie Harrell, Jr. and 6-10 senior Toby Hegner as the biggest guys in the regular rotation. Harrell has performed very well starting at the four spot and averages 6.4 rebounds per game, but he is better suited to be on the wing. When Hegner is not on the floor, this is an undersized team that will struggle on the glass and defensively against teams that can successfully feed a quality scoring big man or two.
Probable Starters:
Marcus Foster, Senior, Guard, 20.3 ppg, 2.7 apg, 3.9 rpg
Khyri Thomas, Junior, Guard, 15.3 ppg, 2.8 apg, 4.3 rpg
Davion Mintz, Sophomore, Guard, 6.0 ppg, 3.1 apg
Ronnie Harrell, Junior, Guard, 7.1 ppg, 2.7 apg, 6.4 rpg
Toby Hegner, Senior, Forward, 8.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Key Role Players:
Ty-Shon Alexander, Freshman, Guard, 5.6 ppg, 1.8 apg
Mitch Ballock, Freshman, Guard, 7.0 ppg, 2.0 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 84.8 (8th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 74.3 (233, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 49.9 (10, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.5 154, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 10.6 (12, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.9 (55, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.0 (53, 6)
Rebound Margin: 1.3 (147, 7)
Assists Per Game: 8.1 (5, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.1 (29, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2017 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Rhode Island
2016 NIT First Round win over Alabama
2016 NIT Second Round win over Wagner
2016 NIT Quarterfinal loss to BYU
2014 NCAA Round of 64 win over Louisiana
2014 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Baylor
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Cincinnati
2013 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Duke
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Alabama
2012 NCAA Round of 32 loss to North Carolina
2011 CBI First Round win over San Jose State
2011 CBI Second Round win over Davidson
2011 CBI Semifinal win over UCF
2011 CBI Final win over Oregon
2010 CIT First Round win over South Dakota
2010 CIT Second Round win over Fairfield
2010 CIT Semifinal loss to Missouri State
2009 NIT First Round win over Bowling Green
2009 NIT Second Round loss to Kentucky
*all team stats through 3/4
