Creighton Basketball 2019-2020

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Feb 18, 2020 8:40 pm

Marquette couldn’t throw it in the ocean in the 1st half. A lot of that is good defense by the Jays..

And Marcus Howard held scoreless thus far. Wonder how long that will last?...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Feb 18, 2020 8:44 pm

Marcus Howard: more fouls than points.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Feb 18, 2020 8:47 pm

Well, so much for the Howard scoreless drought...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Feb 18, 2020 9:48 pm

Creighton 73
Marquette 65

Jays win, Jays win, Jays win!

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Feb 18, 2020 9:49 pm

Gotta love it..

Jays win!!...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Tue Feb 18, 2020 9:57 pm

Just keep winning! What a special team. Who'd thought this was possible at the beginning of the season?

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Tue Feb 18, 2020 11:32 pm

Another great Top 25 road win by the Jays. 2nd in the nation to Seton Hall with 6 Quad 1 road wins.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue Feb 18, 2020 11:45 pm

Is there something going on here? I have absolutely no care for the university, but I kind of always thought it was cool when Creighton gained some national relevance, just for some hometown recognition. I loosely followed the team some years ago when I think they won one or two tournament games yearly, but they never really made it made it. Is this team for real?

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Wed Feb 19, 2020 1:21 pm

This is a really bold prediction, but this writer for ESPN has the Jays taking on Kansas in the National Championship:
The NCAA tournament will be here soon enough -- are you ready?

No. 4 Creighton vs No. 13 Stephen F. Austin

The past month has been littered with impressive Creighton performances, so I'm willing to overlook the egg the Bluejays laid on Feb. 5 at Providence. The rebound rate will need to improve if they want to reach what I believe is their ceiling (keep reading), but in this field, they are top 15 in every other metric I measure and that positions them for a potential long run.

Colorado vs. Creighton

The four-line is a valuable spot to be and with Creighton hitting its stride, it can play with anyone. Tyler Bey alone could make this game interesting with his ability to pound the glass, but at the end of the day, I don't trust the Buffaloes to manufacture consistent good looks enough to pick them here.

Baylor vs. Creighton

You want to leverage the field in your March Madness pool? I've got you covered, as this looks much like the Duke/VCU spot that I narrowly missed on last season. Is Baylor good? Of course, but the value in picking against the Bears in this spot would far exceed advancing them. Strip away the team names ... what if I told you that a team that fouls less, shoots better when at the stripe and generally is more efficient on the offensive end would be the underdog? Now, Baylor does excel on the defensive end, but I've seen enough from Creighton since the new year on the defensive end to convince me that the Jays can hold their own. I say Creighton holds its own on the glass and sends Baylor home thanks to its offensive efficiency.

Creighton vs. Dayton

In a Dr. Seuss special, we get two very similar teams that I could both see making the Final Four in a different draw. Anyone can offer analysis of a fictitious matchup, few can rhyme it ...

Final Four

Creighton vs. San Diego State

Did you scroll ahead to see who I had here? Bet this is a jarring set of names. These are two of the top-10 teams in my power ranks and actually have similar profiles, but the level of competition for Creighton is obviously a big bonus. The Bluejays aren't especially deep, but everyone they put on the floor can get a bucket and most of them are willing rebounders. I worry that Flynn relies a little too much on the 3-ball (48% of his shots this season) and a prolonged slump is a major issue against an offense that ranks fourth in the nation in efficiency.

Creighton vs. Kansas

Monday (Feb. 17) was the first time in more than two months a team replaced Kansas atop my power ranks, but I'm sticking to what has been the case for most of the season and banking on #RockChalk reclaiming the top spot over the next month. The last time the Jayhawks ran the table was 2008, the only season in which all four 1-seeds won their regions and a roster had seven pros on it. I don't think this team is that good, but its efficient offense complements its stingy defense well and makes the Jayhawks my favorite as we sit here one month from tourney time. Kansas cuts down the nets with Dotson proving to be the difference in the second half of a hotly contested game: 76-70.

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Wed Feb 19, 2020 1:40 pm

In the above scenario I could see Creighton beating Stone Cold Stephen F Austin and Colorado, but I don't think they would survive Baylor.

Like the optimism from a member of the media though.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Wed Feb 19, 2020 1:50 pm

Yeah I agree...I don't know that they could beat Baylor if Baylor is anything like San Diego St this year or Baylor of 6 years ago.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Feb 19, 2020 5:17 pm

Game highlights from Fox Sports. They ask in the comments “What % chance do you give the Jays to reach the Final 4?”-

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Feb 19, 2020 7:35 pm

#21 Butler 72
#16 Seton Hall 74

Game winner at buzzer.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Feb 19, 2020 7:49 pm

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Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Feb 19, 2020 8:03 pm

image.jpeg

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Fri Feb 21, 2020 11:50 am

If the Jays win on Sunday...any guesses where they will be ranked? Will they be in the Top 10?

I feel like they should be with 2 more Top 25 wins during the week.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Fri Feb 21, 2020 5:11 pm

I think if they Jays win Sunday, they most definitely should land as a solid #10..

The way they’re playing right now, 15th might be too low. But the Big East is a tough and humbling conference. Butler smacked CU around a month ago. They need to bring their “A” game Sunday and defend home court...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sat Feb 22, 2020 8:17 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Feb 18, 2020 11:45 pm Is this team for real?

Well, this season, the Jays have defeated 2 top 10 teams on the road and another ranked within the top 20 (also on the road)..

The past 5 or 6 years have been disappointing since Dougie McBuckets final year- the 2013-14 season. Creighton, since, has been just good enough to make the Big Dance, sometimes get ranked within the Top 25, but mostly see their season end in early tournament exits due to playing too tight and not exhibiting much mental toughness..

This year “feels” different..

I think for most of us long standing Bluejays fans (to answer your question)..we are simply enjoying the ride right now..We need to see more out of this team when it counts come tournament time..

I’ll tell you this, if the Jays get past the 2nd round and make the Sweet 16, you’ll experience Bluejay “Fandemonium” like you’ve never seen in the greater Omaha metropolitan area...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Feb 23, 2020 4:51 pm

21 Butler 59
15 Creighton 81

Wow. Such a beat down.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Feb 23, 2020 4:53 pm

The Jays simply blow away another Top 25 team today by trouncing Butler 81-59..

If they’re not a Top 10 team come Monday, I don’t know who is...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Feb 23, 2020 4:55 pm

image.jpeg

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Sun Feb 23, 2020 5:04 pm

That was nuts. Please Creighton, keep this up!

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Feb 23, 2020 6:17 pm

Interesting tidbit-

The Jays are 2nd in college basketball for wins over Top 25 ranked teams with 5...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Sun Feb 23, 2020 6:36 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Feb 23, 2020 4:53 pm The Jays simply blow away another Top 25 team today by trouncing Butler 81-59..

If they’re not a Top 10 team come Monday, I don’t know who is...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Well #7 Maryland and #9 Penn state both lost

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Feb 23, 2020 7:08 pm

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Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Feb 23, 2020 7:40 pm

Uffda wrote: Sun Feb 23, 2020 6:36 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Feb 23, 2020 4:53 pm The Jays simply blow away another Top 25 team today by trouncing Butler 81-59..

If they’re not a Top 10 team come Monday, I don’t know who is...

Ciao..LiO...Peace
Well #7 Maryland and #9 Penn state both lost

Yeah. Perhaps this will open the door. They should end up between 10th and 12th.. There is no hotter team in college basketball right now...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Mon Feb 24, 2020 10:59 am

Another great win by the Jays . This team is so fun to watch. They play together so well and really understand the fundamentals of the game.

Should be #11 for sure, but I could also see them jumping Nova into 10th. We will see very shortly.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Mon Feb 24, 2020 11:18 am

Jays are #10 in the new AP poll !!!

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Feb 24, 2020 11:33 am

And that ranking is well deserved!...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Mon Feb 24, 2020 12:44 pm

Kentucky fans seem to be livid that ESPN's Lunardi moved them down to a 4 seed and Nova(?) And Creighton are 3 seeds lol. Seems they forgot about that Evansville loss.

I just really hope that Creighton finishes the regular season and conference tourney strong so they have momentum going into the NCAA's. Having a run like this and not at least making the Sweet 16 would just be a heart breaker... That said, the NCAA tourney is all about matchups, and Creighton never seems to get a favorable one (exception with the egg they laid against KSU).

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Mon Feb 24, 2020 2:05 pm

Ouch that Evansville loss is horrible, they have lost all 16 MVC conference games.

As for Creighton, I hope the same...this year seems different with the way the depth is spread out. Even during Doug's years they never truly had a good big man or point guard. Sure they had Echinique, Grant Gibbs, Antoine Young, but none of those are Big East type players.

This season is special and I believe the same....anything less than Sweet 16 is a heartbreak.

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Mon Feb 24, 2020 2:53 pm

skinzfan23 wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2020 2:05 pm Ouch that Evansville loss is horrible, they have lost all 16 MVC conference games.

As for Creighton, I hope the same...this year seems different with the way the depth is spread out. Even during Doug's years they never truly had a good big man or point guard. Sure they had Echinique, Grant Gibbs, Antoine Young, but none of those are Big East type players.

This season is special and I believe the same....anything less than Sweet 16 is a heartbreak.

Definitely agree with you regarding the depth of the team. Any night 2 or 3, even 4 players can go off, for double digits. Unfortunately there have been some nights when none have (Providence game for example), but since Mahoney has been fully pulled into the mix this team has had an extra step. Just need to keep the legs fresh and avoid injuries.

Can you imagine if Doug had this team around him? Wowza.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Feb 24, 2020 4:19 pm

The thing that’s made the Jays so frustrating to watch for the previous 5 seasons, is that come tournament time, they play tight and just seem to wilt under pressure..

That’s where I sense this team is different. Collectively, each player has bought in and is completely unselfish..

Let’s hope this serves them well as we transition into March basketball...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Mon Feb 24, 2020 5:47 pm

Yes, absolutely agree Cowboy. Come tournament time, they always looked shell-shocked, even during Doug's run. I hope with all the pieces in place this year and the leadership that won't be the case.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Feb 24, 2020 10:22 pm

Good point skinz regarding the tightness of the Jays even when Doug was playing..

This team seems to stay focused and grounded on the next game ahead. For us Jays fans, we’ll just keep enjoying the ride.. If, by chance, Creighton makes it to the Sweet 16 2nd weekend..The fandemonium amongst the Jays fan base will be unlike anything most of us have seen in our lifetimes...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Post by **nebugeater** » Tue Feb 25, 2020 8:35 am

This team is fun to watch. They seem to have the "it" factor.

That being said, when it becomes NCAA Tourny time it is heavily about matchups. With a good draw, the Jays can go far, if it is not so good, with little time to prepare it can be disappointing.

Here's to the Jay's making History

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Wed Feb 26, 2020 3:37 pm

Don't fill out your NCAA tournament bracket based on a November result

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Feb 26, 2020 7:35 pm

Man, I get nervous when the national media talks Final 4 for the Jays..

I just want the Bluejays to be in play for the 2nd weekend Sweet 16, then I’ll talk Elite 8 and Final 4 potential all day long, lol...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 3:51 am

I've been watching the Jays long enough to be guarded when it comes to expectations. That said, this team is really the first Jays team that is built for the High Major conference, and in the tourney athletic guard play does help quite a bit. Add that to the hopefully continuing improving defense play... Who knows.

Just make it to the second weekend and everything else is gravy for me at this point.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 3:00 pm

MadMartin8 wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 3:51 am I've been watching the Jays long enough to be guarded when it comes to expectations. Just make it to the second weekend and everything else is gravy for me at this point.

This pretty much sums up how I feel as well...

Ciao..LiO...Peace