Wednesday, February 3
Villanova, Pa. (The Pavilion)
7:05 PM
Creighton University
at
Villanova
Zach Hanson
Photo by: Mark Kuhlmann
Men's Basketball Opens Second Half of BIG EAST Play At No. 3 Villanova
2/1/2016 3:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Bluejays play first league opponent in the top-three nationally since 1979
Download Game Notes as a PDF
Game #23 • Creighton at #3 Villanova • Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016 • 7:05 p.m. Central
The Pavilion (6,500) • Villanova, Pa.
Radio: KOZN 1620 AM, www.1620thezone.com
Television: CBS Sports Network
Series History: Villanova leads, 6-2
Last Meeting: #16 Villanova 85, Creighton 71 on Jan. 2, 2016 in Omaha, Neb.
Next Game
The Creighton men's basketball team (14-8, 5-4 BIG EAST) opens the second half of league play with a tall task when they visit two-time defending conference champ and third-ranked Villanova (18-3, 8-1 BIG EAST) on Wednesday night in Villanova, Pa.
Tip-off at The Pavilion (6,500) is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Central. The game is sold out.
Radio Broadcast Information
KOZN (1620 The Zone) will broadcast all Creighton men's basketball games during the 2015-16 season. John Bishop and former Bluejay Nick Bahe will call the action.
Prior to the game, Corey Lathrop and Heath Gunderson will host "Bluejay Shootaround", beginning at 6:00 pm.
Following the game, Tim Krueger and Ravi Lulla will host "Overtime" for approximately one hour, while also taking calls from listeners.
The audio is also webcast live at www.1620thezone.com.
Television Broadcast Information
Wednesday's game will air live nationally on CBS Sports Network, which can be found in Omaha on Cox Cable channel 234 (1234 in HD).
Tom McCarthy and Steve Lappas will announce, with Jon Rothstein handling sideline duties.
Video Webcast Information
Wednesday's game will not be video webcast.
Live Stats Information
All of Creighton's games this season will have free live stats. Visit www.gocreighton.com and click on the small bar graph icon on the scoreboard at the top of the page for the event of your choosing.
Home games can also be followed by those who have mobile devices with internet capability at www.gocreightonstats.com.
Scouting Creighton
Creighton is 14-8 on the season, including a 5-4 mark on road/neutral floors. Picked to finish ninth in the preseason, the Bluejays are 5-4 in league play, with three road wins, and all but one victory this season has come by double-digits.
The Bluejays are scoring a league-leading 81.7 points per game (22nd nationally), and are 12-0 when scoring above that mark this season.
Boston University transfer Maurice Watson Jr. leads Creighton with 6.5 assists per contest and 14.1 points per game, while Geoffrey Groselle tops the club with 5.9 rebounds per game and is third with 11.1 points per game. He's shooting 70.4 percent from the field this year, third nationally among players with at least five attempts per game.
Isaiah Zierden (12.0 ppg., 1.5 spg.) leads the BIG EAST with 57 three-pointers made and also leads the Bluejays with 34 steals.
Creighton leads the BIG EAST in field goal percentage (47.5 percent) and three-point percentage (36.5 percent), but those numbers have fallen to 42.7 percent (overall) and 31.0 percent (from deep) in league play.
Scouting No. 3 Villanova
Villanova is 18-3 on the season and are alone in first place in the BIG EAST with an 8-1 league record. 'Nova is 10-1 at home and had its 31-game home win streak snapped in overtime on Jan. 24 vs. Providence.
The Wildcats have four men averaging in double-figures, a group led by Josh Hart (15.6 ppg.), 2015 BIG EAST Co-Player of the Year Ryan Arcidacono (12.5 ppg.), Preseason BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Jalen Brunson (10.0 ppg.) and Kris Jenkins (10.5 ppg.).
Big man Daniel Ochefu (9.7 ppg., 8.3 rpg., 1.9 bpg.) missed Sunday's win at St. John's with a concussion, while Phil Booth (6.9 ppg.) and Mikal Bridges (7.2 ppg.) also provide support off the bench.
As a team, 'Nova shoots 45.9 percent from the field, 75.3 percent at the line and has 329 assists against just 237 turnovers on the winter. The Wildcats score 75.2 points per game and allow a league-low 61.2 points per game.
The Coaches
Greg McDermott (Northern Iowa, 1988) is in his sixth season as head coach at Creighton. He is 135-65 with the Bluejays. McDermott has previously been a head coach at Iowa State (2006-10), Northern Iowa (2001-06), North Dakota State (2000-01) and Wayne State (1994-2000). He owns a career mark of 415-260 in his 22nd season and is 284-196 in his 15th Division I campaign. McDermott is assisted by Darian DeVries, Steve Lutz and Preston Murphy.
Jay Wright (Bucknell, 1983) owns a 459-240 record in his 22nd season as a head coach, which includes a 337-155 mark in 15 years at Villanova. He was previously head coach at Hofstra for seven seasons. Wright is assisted by Kyle Neptune, Ashley Howard and Baker Dunleavy.
The Series With Villanova
Villanova leads the all-time series with Creighton, 6-2, including a 4-1 record in games played in Villanova/Philadelphia.
Creighton swept the regular-season series in 2013-14 with a pair of victories by 20+ points, but the Wildcats have won the last three meetings.
Greg McDermott is 2-3 against Villanova and Jay Wright. Wright is 3-2 versus Creighton.
Ranking News & Notes
Villanova enters Wednesday's game as the nation's third-ranked team. Some notes of interest as it pertains to Creighton...
-Creighton is 22-130 all-time against nationally-ranked teams in the Associated Press poll, including a 1-4 mark this season. The win came on Jan. 23rd, when Creighton toppled No. 18 Butler.
-Creighton owns an 0-5 mark against teams ranked exactly third. Wednesday will mark just Creighton's second game against a top-three opponent since 1981, joining the Oklahoma game earlier this season on Dec. 19 in Norman.
-The last time Creighton played a top-three team in a conference game was Jan. 27, 1979 against No. 3 Indiana State. Creighton "held" Larry Bird to 17 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists in a 77-69 loss to the Sycamores.
-The highest-ranked teams that Creighton has ever beaten are No. 4 Arizona State (12/13/1963) and No. 4 Villanova (1/20/2014), as CU is 0-10 against top-three foes all-time.
-Creighton snapped an 11-game losing streak against ranked teams with the win over Butler on Jan. 23rd.
-Creighton is 3-28 all-time against top-five teams, and 7-56 all-time against top-10 teams. Two of those top-10 wins came vs. Villanova during the 2013-14 season, when CU beat Wildcat teams ranked fourth and sixth.
-Creighton owns a 3-67 record in true road games against top-25 foes, but one of those wins was a 96-68 triumph at No. 4 Villanova in 2014.
-Creighton is 4-15 under Greg McDermott against nationally-ranked teams. Dana Altman (7) and Eddie Sutton (5) are the only men with more wins on the Bluejay sideline against ranked foes than McDermott.
-Villanova will be the 13th ranked opponent in Creighton's last 42 games, a stretch that started Jan. 3, 2015 at No. 25 Georgetown.
BIG EAST'S #1 Offense vs. #1 Defense?
What happens when a strong offense meets a strong defense? We'll find out on Wednesday night.
Creighton leads the BIG EAST with 81.7 points per game, 47.5 percent shooting from the field and 36.5 percent shooting from three-point range.
Villanova leads the BIG EAST and ranks seventh nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 61.2 points per game. The Wildcats allow foes to shoot just 38.1 percent from the field (10th nationally).
McDermott On The Wright Path
Villanova's Jay Wright owns more wins at his current school than any other current BIG EAST coach, having led the Wildcats to 337 victories in 15 seasons. That's an average of 22.47 wins per season for Wright, and a .685 winning percentage in that time.
His counterpart on Wednesday night, Creighton's Greg McDermott, owns 135 wins in his sixth season with the Bluejays, an average of 22.50 wins per season. McDermott owns a .675 winning percentage at CU.
Wright and McDermott are the only current BIG EAST coaches who have averaged 22 or more wins per season in their current position.
After 22 games of his sixth season at Villanova, Wright owned a record of 119-66 (.643) and had been to two NCAA Tournaments at VU, while McDermott has already coached CU to three NCAA bids to this point. Wright had a 130-70 record after exactly 200 games with the Wildcats, while McDermott is 135-65 (.675) thus far.
Philly's Finest
Creighton has several alums who have made a dent in professional sports in the Philadelphia area.
Darin Ruf starred at Creighton from 2006-09 and is currently a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Kyle Korver starred at Creighton from 1999-2003 and played his first four NBA seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he quickly became a fan favorite. Korver was an All-Star last winter with the Atlanta Hawks.
Fabian Herbers was recently drafted sixth overall by the Philadelphia Union in the MLS SuperDraft. Herbers was a two-time BIG EAST Player of the Year, a runner-up for the MAC Hermann Trophy, and led the nation in assists and points for Creighton last fall.
Other Creighton alums who have spent time in the last decade on the roster of a Philadelphia team include Greg Jordan (Philadelphia Union soccer) and Tim Gradoville (Philadelphia Phillies).
Philly's Finest, Part 2
Creighton point guard Maurice Watson Jr. hails from Philadelphia, and grew up with aspirations of playing at Villanova due to its BIG EAST affiliation.
Watson was a PARADE Magazine All-American following a standout career at Boys' Latin High School, where he scored 2,356 points to rank second-most in the history of the Philadelphia Public League.
Endless Range In Philly in 2014
Creighton set BIG EAST and school-records that still stand with 21 three-point baskets in a 28-point win at No. 4 Villanova in 2014.
Creighton's previous mark was 20, done vs. Chattanooga in 2005. The previous BIG EAST mark was 20, done by West Virginia vs. Marquette in 2006 and matched by Notre Dame vs. Villanova in 2011.
The 21 three-pointers were the most by any college team since 2010, and according to Athlon Sports, the most in a game between major conference teams since Kentucky made 21 vs. North Carolina on Dec. 27, 1989.
Creighton broke the Wells Fargo Center record for three-pointers by a Villanova opponent late in the first half (the old mark was 12), and also set a mark for most points against 'Nova at the Wells Fargo Center with 96, passing the old mark of 90.
What A Start!
Creighton made a three-pointer on each of its first nine possessions in its 2014 win at No. 4 Villanova. Creighton started the game 7-for-7 from deep, missed a two-pointer but turned an offensive rebound into another trey, and then sank a trifecta on its ninth trip, as well.
That brings to mind all sorts of fun stats.
-According to Ken Pomeroy, Creighton became the first team since Indiana State in 2012 to make its first nine attempts from three-point range in a game. Pomeroy found evidence of six teams in the previous five years to make their first nine attempts from downtown.
-Pomeroy's research also indicated that Creighton was the only team in the previous five years to make nine straight three's without any other scores to start a game.
-Pomeroy also found that Creighton was the second team in the previous five years to score each of its first 30 points via the three-pointer. Miami (Ohio) had its first 33 points vs. Western Michigan on Jan. 28, 2012.
-Subsequent research by the Omaha World-Herald determined that of Creighton's 21 three-pointers, 17 were made from behind the NBA three-point line that was on the Wells Fargo Center floor.
Possession By Possession
Taking another look at the start of the 2014 game at Villanova, contested at Wells Fargo Center. Creighton made three-pointers on nine straight trips, including seven from Ethan Wragge.
Poss. # Time Result Score
1 19:37 Wragge 3FG CU 3-0
2 18:57 Wragge 3FG CU 6-0
3 18:20 Manigat 3FG CU 9-2
4 17:45 McDermott 3FG CU 12-5
5 17:03 Wragge 3FG CU 15-5
6 16:13 Wragge 3FG CU 18-5
7 15:49 Wragge 3FG CU 21-5
8 15:10 McDermott 2FG miss (off. rebound)
14:39 Wragge 3FG CU 24-5
9 13:55 Wragge 3FG CU 27-8
What's Your Twenty?
James Milliken had a season-high 21 points on Saturday vs. Seton Hall, becoming Creighton's sixth different player to score 20 points or more this season. In addition to Milliken, Isaiah Zierden (2x), Cole Huff, Maurice Watson Jr. (3x), Khyri Thomas and Geoffrey Groselle (4x) have all reached that mark.
By comparison, last year Creighton had five players all year reach 20+ points (Austin Chatman, Toby Hegner, Will Artino, Milliken and Zierden), and in the two previous years had only three players surpass 20 points in any game.
The last previous time that Creighton had six men have 20 or more points in a game during the same season was 1972-73, when Gene Harmon, Al Lewis, Ted Wuebben, Doug Brookins, Ralph Bobik and Gene Ellefson all did it.
Go Mo Go
Creighton's Maurice Watson Jr. is one of eight players nationally with at least 100 assists, 100 two-point baskets and 24 steals or more. Of those eight, Watson is one of five men to do it with 65 turnovers or less.
Joining him are some of the top players in the nation, as seen below:
100 2FG's, 100 Assists & 24 Steals
Name, School 2FG AST STL TO
Kay Felder, Oakland 127 192 47 75
Kyle Collinsworth, BYU 120 172 50 78
Monte Morris, Iowa State 106 145 42 31
Maurice Watson Jr., Creighton 101 143 24 65
Alec Wintering, Portland 108 130 43 75
Alex Hamilton, Louisiana Tech 102 128 40 62
Gary Payton II, Oregon State 119 109 46 51
Ben Simmons, LSU 140 102 38 63
Winning Formulas
Below are the records for each current BIG EAST school over the last four, 10 and 16 (since 2000-01) seasons, ranked by overall wins, through games of Jan. 31.
Notably, Villanova and Creighton own more wins than any other league schools in the past four seasons.
Most Wins - Last 4 Years (2012-13 - Present)
Team W L
Villanova 100 25
Creighton 83 43
Providence 82 43
Xavier 80 43
Georgetown 78 42
Butler 78 44
Marquette 71 50
St. John's 65 56
Seton Hall 63 56
DePaul 42 76
Most Wins - Last 10 Years (2006-07 - Present)
Team W L
Butler 246 91
Xavier 235 97
Villanova 233 96
Creighton 224 111
Georgetown 220 101
Marquette 216 115
Providence 176 139
Seton Hall 163 146
St. John's 159 155
DePaul 109 199
Most Wins Since 2000-01
Team W L
Xavier 372 151
Butler 372 153
Creighton 363 163
Villanova 355 168
Marquette 342 177
Georgetown 338 173
Providence 276 220
Seton Hall 259 230
St. John's 241 249
DePaul 200 285
Tough Out At Home
Villanova doesn't lose many home games, but did lose to Providence on January 24th to snap a 31-game home win streak.
Prior to losing to the Friars, Providence had not lost since Jan. 21, 2014, when Creighton shellacked the Wildcats 96-68 at Wells Fargo Center.
Villanova has not lost at The Pavilion since Feb. 3, 2013. Wednesday will be the third anniversary of that defeat, which has been followed with 36 straight home wins on campus.
Pink Out Auction Raises More Than $21,000
Creighton raised more than $21,000 last weekend during its "Creighton vs. Cancer Pink Out" game on Saturday vs. Seton Hall.
Bluejay players wore pink shooting shirts and pink jerseys for the game and, like last year's event, fans had the opportunity to honor a friend or family member who has battled cancer or is currently battling cancer by purchasing the apparel via auction (the shooting shirt could be personalized – last name, nickname, etc.).
The first 16,000 fans entering the venue received a complimentary pink t-shirt courtesy of CHI Health and Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center.
Complimentary "Pink Out" posters were also available to fans exiting the venue after the game.
This year's Creighton vs. Cancer jersey auction raised $16,527.90 and donations brought in $5,000. The past five seasons has seen $126,203.04 raised.
Below is the final numbers for each item in the auction this year:
#0 $710 #1 $532.40 #2 $1125
#4 $1035 #5 $455 #10 $1397
#11 $910 #12 $620 #13 $1009
#15 $610 #20 $485 #21 $1280
#22 $960 #23 $860 #32 $1125
#40 $1025 #41 $1275
Basketballs: $242.50, $230.50, $227.50, $210.50, $203.50
McDermott Coaches in 200th Game At CU
Saturday marked Greg McDermott's 200th game as Creighton head coach. His 135-65 mark is good for the program's best winning percentage (.675) in the last 80 years.
Here's how Creighton's coaches have fared when reaching their 200th game on the Bluejay sideline:
Coach, Years W-L After 200
Arthur A. Schabinger, 1922-35 145-55
John J. "Red" McManus, 1959-69 116-84
Dana Altman, 1994-2010 116-84
Greg McDermott, 2010-Present 135-65
Triple Streak For Zierden
Junior guard Isaiah Zierden has made at least one three-pointer in each of Creighton's last 10 games.
Zierden is the first Bluejay with 10 straight games with a trey since Rick Kreklow did in 15 consecutive games last season from Jan. 3-March 3, 2015.
Late Game Struggle
Creighton led last Tuesday's game at Georgetown for more than 32 minutes, and all but 80 seconds of the second half. Unfortunately for the Bluejays, some of that time came in the final 6.2 seconds as Georgetown capped a game-ending 15-3 run to win by one point.
Creighton was just 3-for-6 at the free throw line and had two turnovers in the final two minutes of the loss, compared to 30-of-35 marksmanship from the stripe and two total turnovers in the final two minutes of CU's other eight league games thus far.
Some People Call Him Maurice
Maurice Watson Jr. dished 14 assists in Creighton's win at Seton Hall on Jan. 9. While it was three shy of his collegiate high accomplished while he was at Boston University, the 14 helpers were his most in a Creighton uniform.
Watson's 14 assists tie Providence's Kris Dunn (twice) for the most by any BIG EAST player this season, and were the most in a regular-season BIG EAST game since Dee Davis had 15 assists vs. Providence on Feb. 7, 2015.
Watson's 14 assists are tied for fifth-most nationally in a game this season, and directly led to 37 points by the Bluejays in that game.
Watson's 14 assists were the most ever by a Creighton player in any conference game.
Watson's 14 assists were the most by any Bluejay since Ralph Bobik tied his own school-record with 17 assist vs. Bradley on Jan. 22, 1974. Below is a list of the six occasions in CU history in which a player has had 13 or more assists.
Ast. Name, Opponent Date
17 Ralph Bobik at St. Francis (Pa.) 02/23/73
Ralph Bobik vs. Bradley 01/22/74
16 Ralph Bobik vs. BYU 12/17/73
14 Maurice Watson Jr. at Seton Hall 01/09/16
13 Latrell Wrightsell vs. Nebraska 12/07/91
Jason Bey vs. Southern Illinois 02/27/95
The Road Less Travelled
Creighton is off to a strong start on the road in the BIG EAST and won each of its first three games away from home before last Tuesday's heartbreak at Georgetown.
Since the BIG EAST was reformatted in the summer of 2013, the Bluejays are one of four teams to start 3-0 on the road in league play.
Villanova started 7-0 on the road in 2013-14 before losing at Creighton. Villanova is 5-0 on the road this year in league play, while Providence is 4-0 on the road in league play this season.
In the first two years of the restructured BIG EAST, teams with three or more BIG EAST road wins finished in the top-six of the league standings on 12 of 13 occasions, while teams with two or less league road wins finished in the top six on just one of seven occasions.
This season was Creighton's fifth team since the 1942-43 to start 3-0 on the road in league play.
Over .500, Again
Creighton has been better than .500 at the midway point in league play in 19 of the last 20 seasons, including this year.
Creighton has also gone 5-4 or better in the second half of league action in 18 of the last 19 seasons.
Creighton has made the postseason each of the previous 17 times it's been 5-4 or better at the midway point, and missed it the only time they weren't in that span.
Here's how Creighton's teams have fared in the various halves of the MVC/BIG EAST season since 1995-96.
Year 1st Half 2nd Half
2015-16 5-3 so far ? ? ?
2014-15 1-8 3-6
2013-14 8-1 6-3
2012-13 7-2 6-3
2011-12 8-1 6-3
2010-11 5-4 5-4
2009-10 5-4 5-4
2008-09 5-4 9-0
2007-08 5-4 5-4
2006-07 6-3 7-2
2005-06 7-2 5-4
2004-05 5-4 6-3
2003-04 7-2 5-4
2002-03 8-1 7-2
2001-02 8-1 6-3
2000-01 5-4 9-0
1999-00 5-4 6-3
1998-99 6-3 5-4
1997-98 5-4 7-2
1996-97 5-4 5-4
1995-96 4-5 5-4
Total 120-68 (.638) 118-62 (.656)
New And Improved
Last season's rare down year saw Creighton finish 14-19 overall, and just 4-14 in the BIG EAST. This year's team is 14-8 overall and 5-4 in league play.
Creighton has already matched its total of 14 wins from last year, and exceeded last year's total of four conference wins.
Most Improved Big Men?
With the possible exception of Providence's Ben Bentil, few players around the BIG EAST have improved more than Creighton's Geoffrey Groselle.
Groselle entered his senior season averaging 3.2 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest, collecting 200 career points and 102 career rebounds in his first 63 games. This year Groselle owns 11.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game and has 245 points and 130 rebounds in 22 starts.
Watson Dishes and Scores
Maurice Watson Jr. has led Creighton in both scoring and assists in two of the team's last three games, extending his team lead in both categories. In fact, in Creighton's last 13 games Watson has led the team in assists 12 times and tied for the team lead on the other occasion.
Watson is on pace to become Creighton's sixth player since 1970-71 to lead the club in both points per game and assists per game, as seen below:
Creighton Leaders in PPG & APG, Since 1970-71
Name, Year PPG APG
Kevin McKenna, 1979-80 16.5 3.7
Matt Petty, 1992-93 17.2 3.1
Kyle Korver, 2001-02 15.1 3.3
Nate Funk, 2003-04 11.1 2.7
Nate Funk, 2006-07 17.7 3.0
Austin Chatman, 2014-15 11.5 3.7
Maurice Watson Jr., 2015-16 14.1 6.5
Mo' Points, Mo' Assists
Maurice Watson Jr. leads Creighton in both scoring and assists, and he's doing things at a rate that has never been approached in school history.
Since the program began tracking assists in 1970-71, Watson is one of four men to average at least 12 points and five assists per game. However, he's the only one in that quartet that's scored 12 points per game while also averaging six assists per contest.
12+ PPG & 5+ APG, Since 1970-71 at Creighton
Name, Year PPG APG
Ralph Bobik, 1971-72 14.1 5.2
James Farr, 1988-89 12.0 5.0
Antoine Young, 2010-11 13.1 5.0
Maurice Watson Jr., 2015-16 14.1 6.5
Against The BIG EAST
Since joining the BIG EAST on July 1, 2014, Creighton has won in every road venue except Georgetown and Providence, and is unbeaten at home against only Marquette and St. John's, as well as on the road at DePaul.
Team CU Home Games CU Road Games
Butler 2-1 1-1
DePaul 1-1 3-0
Georgetown 2-1 0-3
Marquette 2-0 1-1
Providence 1-2 0-2
Seton Hall 1-2 2-1
St. John's 2-0 1-2
Villanova 1-2 1-1
Xavier 1-1 1-1
Total 13-10 10-12
Dynamite Start For Watson
Maurice Watson Jr. has 310 points in his first 22 games as a Creighton Bluejay.
Since 1995-96, Watson's figure is second among all Creighton newcomers through 22 games, 12 behind Rodney Buford's 322 but eight ahead of Doug McDermott's 302 points.
McDermott would finish his career with 3,150 in 145 career games to rank fifth in NCAA history.
Most Points, CU Newcomers First 22 Games Since 1995-96
Pts. Name, Class Year After 23
322 Rodney Buford, Fr. 1995-96 339
310 Maurice Watson Jr., Jr. 2015-16 TBD
302 Doug McDermott, Fr. 2010-11 327
252 P'Allen Stinnett, Fr. 2007-08 266
241 Ryan Sears, Fr. 1997-98 248
235 Doug Swenson, Jr. 1997-98 249
231 Gregory Echenique, So. 2010-11 226
221 Brody Deren, So. 2001-02 236
Zierden With Efficient Eight
Isaiah Zierden's eight three-pointers at DePaul (Jan. 17) are tied for third-most in Creighton history for a single-game, and one shy of the record set by Kyle Korver (1/15/03 vs. Evansville) and Ethan Wragge (1/20/14 at #4 Villanova).
Zierden is one of four men with exactly eight trifectas in a contest, joining Korver (12/31/02 at #19 Xavier), Tad Ackerman (1/23/95 at Drake) and Terrell Taylor (3/15/02 vs. #15 Florida).
Of the players to make eight or more three-pointers in a Creighton game, Zierden's 11 attempts are easily the fewest, two less than Ackerman and Korver (at Xavier). Both Korver (vs. Evansville) and Wragge needed 14 attempts, while Taylor set the school-record with 15 attempts against Florida.
Zierden's eight three-pointers vs. DePaul remain the most by any BIG EAST player in a game this season.
30 Point Efforts
Isaiah Zierden 31 point game at DePaul made him the third Creighton player to score 30 or more points in a game in Greg McDermott's six-year tenure on The Hilltop. Kenny Lawson Jr. did it first with 30 points on Dec. 11, 2010 vs. Saint Joseph's, and Doug McDermott did it 27 different times.
Zierden was the first player with 30 or more points since Doug McDermott's 30 vs. Louisiana on March 21, 2014, and the first player with 31 or more since Doug McDermott's 32 vs. Xavier on March 14, 2014.
Creighton has won 28 straight games in which an individual has scored 31 points or more. In addition to one such game from Zierden, that streak includes 31 point (or more) games from Doug McDermott (21 times), Nate Funk (3), Kyle Korver (1), Johnny Mathies (1) and Cavel Witter (1). The last time a Bluejay scored 31 or more in a loss came on Dec. 31, 2002, when Korver compiled 32 points in a two-point loss at No. 19 Xavier.
Some Loyal Fans
Creighton has attracted 221,198 fans at home this season, surpassing 200,000 fans on Jan. 23 for the 11th straight season.
Creighton had never attracted more than 141,000 home fans in any season prior to the opening of CenturyLink Center Omaha, and now has done it in 13 straight seasons.
Creighton has led its conference in home attendance every year since moving into CenturyLink Center Omaha, which is now in its 13th season.
Butler Was 100th Home Game For McDermott
Last Saturday marked the 100th home game (and 82nd home win) on the Creighton sideline for Greg McDermott. He's currently 82-19 on CenturyLink Center Omaha's south sideline.
McDermott became the fourth man in Creighton history to coach at least 100 home games, and he has more home wins in those games (82) than anyone else at that point.
Red McManus and Arthur A. Schabinger both were 78-22 after 100 home games, while Dana Altman was 75-25 after 100 home games at Creighton.
Standard Five
Creighton used the same starting line-up in each of its first 18 games this season before finally making a change on Jan. 17 (in game 19) when Toby Hegner replaced Cole Huff in the first five.
Last season Creighton used 10 different starting line-up combinations, its most in any season since using 11 pairings in 1994-95.
Creighton used the same starting five combination for every game in 2011-12, and then again in 2012-13.
Big Deficits, No Big Deal
Creighton owns 15 victories under Greg McDermott after trailing by double-figures at some point, including DePaul (down 12) on January 17th. Eight of those comebacks came away from home.
On Nov. 19, 2014, Creighton trailed 42-24 to No. 18 Oklahoma with 18:30 to go before putting together a comeback for the ages. It was CU's largest comeback victory under Greg McDermott (see chart below), the second-largest since 2000 (see chart below), and the second-biggest in the history of CenturyLink Center Omaha (see chart, left column on page five).
On the other hand, CU is 118-8 under McDermott when putting together double-digit leads, including wins 106 of the last 110 times.
Double-Digit Comebacks Under Greg McDermott
Deficit Opponent Date
18 #18 Oklahoma 11/19/14
17 at San Diego State 11/30/11
16 at Evansville 02/16/13
14 Evansville 02/21/12
13 at Saint Joseph's 11/16/13
13 Xavier 01/12/14
12 Saint Joseph's 12/11/10
12 at DePaul 01/17/16
11 at Wichita State 12/31/11
11 Northern Iowa 01/10/12
11 vs. Alabama 03/16/12
10 UAB 11/14/12
10 vs. Drake 03/02/12
10 at Nebraska 12/07/14
10 South Dakota 12/09/14
CenturyLink Center Omaha Dramatics
Providence's Kris Dunn hit a game-winning shot as time expired to beat Creighton on Jan. 12th. It was the first game-winning shot with no time left to ever to beat Creighton at CenturyLink Center Omaha, exceeding the previous low with 1.9 seconds left by Butler's Roosevelt Jones last year.
Dunn's shot was the first to beat Creighton (at any site) with no time left on the clock since Anthony James drained a game-winning three-pointer for Northern Iowa in a 65-62 win on Feb. 4, 2012 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
After allowing just two game-winning go-ahead scores in the last 10 seconds in the first 11 seasons at CenturyLink Center Omaha, Creighton has allowed that to happen four times in the past 13 months alone.
Creighton is now 7-6 in games with a game-winning go-ahead score in the final 10 seconds in the 13-year old facility.
Creighton's Go-Ahead Scores in Wins at CLCO, Last 10 Seconds
Date Opponent Score Player/Score Time
11/26/05 Dayton W 91-90* Funk FG :5.7
01/28/06 Wichita St. W 57-55 Tolliver FG :0.0
11/25/06 George Mason W 58-56 Watts FT :7.5
03/18/08 Rhode Island W 74-73 Witter 3FG :3.2
01/13/10 Southern Illinois W 71-69 Young FG :1.3
02/18/12 Long Beach St. W 81-79 Young FG :0.3
01/28/14 St. John's W 63-60 McDermott 3FG :2.8
*double-overtime
Opponent Go-Ahead Scores in CU Losses at CLCO, Last 10 Seconds
Date Opponent Score Player/Score Time
03/20/06 Miami (Fla.) 53-52 G. Diaz FT :2.6
01/20/07 Southern Illinois 58-57 B. Mullins FG :4.1
01/10/15 #19 Seton Hall 68-67 S. Gibbs 3FG :2.2
02/16/15 #19 Butler 58-56 R. Jones FG :1.9
03/07/15 Xavier 74-73 D. Davis FT's :6.3
01/12/16 #12 Providence 50-48 K. Dunn FG :0.0
Defense Developing
Since allowing Villanova to shoot 68 percent on January 2nd, Creighton's defense has picked up.
Bluejay opponents have shot just 41.8 percent (172-411) in the past seven games, which includes wins over Georgetown, Seton Hall, DePaul and No. 18 Butler, and last possession losses to Providence and Georgetown.
In this stretch, Creighton opponents are also shooting 33.8 percent (45-133) from downtown en route to averaging 68.0 points per game.
Creighton's defense ranks 72nd nationally in "adjusted defensive efficiency" per KenPom.com.
Assists Are Elementary For Watson
Maurice Watson Jr. had his third game this season with 10 or more assists when he dished 14 dimes on Jan. 9th at Seton Hall. Watson had six such games at Boston University in his first two years as a collegian.
Watson is the first Bluejay with three games of 10 or more assists in the same season since Grant Gibbs had three in 2011-12.
The last Bluejay with more than three games of 10+ assists in the same season has been Duan Cole, who had four such games in 1989-90.
Z For 3!
Isaiah Zierden is leading the BIG EAST Conference with 57 three-pointers made, five more than Kellen Dunham (Butler) and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera (Georgetown).
In Creighton's first year in the BIG EAST in 2013-14, Ethan Wragge led the league with 110 trifectas, while Doug McDermott was second with 96.
Man Of Steal
Isaiah Zierden ranks tied for fourth in the BIG EAST with 34 steals this season, trailing only Providence guard Kris Dunn's 64, Butler's Roosevelt Jones (37) and Georgetown's D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera (37).
Zierden owns eight games this season with three steals or more, and had at least three in each of CU's first four BIG EAST victories this winter.
By comparison, Zierden had a total of three steals (in 28 games and 304 minutes) as a freshman, and 12 steals (in 20 games and 558 minutes) a year ago. Zierden owned just two steals in 23 career BIG EAST games entering the season.
Magic Number is 79
Creighton has scored 79 points or more in 13 of its 14 wins thus far. Creighton averages 89.9 points per game in its 14 wins this winter, compared to 67.2 per game when it loses.
Villanova allows 61.2 points per game (fewest in the BIG EAST) and is 0-2 when allowing 79 points or more this season.
Villanova has allowed 57.8 points in its 18 wins this year, compared to 82.0 points allowed in its three losses.
Watson Reaches Milestones
Though he's still relatively new to Creighton, that hasn't kept Maurice Watson Jr. from reaching a couple big milestones at the collegiate level.
Watson owns 310 points and 143 assists at Creighton this season, and when combined with his 800 points and 410 assists in two seasons at Boston University, now owns career collegiate totals of 1,110 points and 553 assists.
Only two players have ever attained 1,000 points and 500 assists (all with CU) during their Creighton careers, Ryan Sears (1,309/570) and Antoine Young (1,342/505). Both Sears and Young got there as seniors.
Watson is currently averaging 6.50 assists per game. Creighton's last player to average 6.0 assists per game or more for an entire season is Randy Eccker's 7.3 assists per contest in 1976-77.
Overall, Watson's 2.20 assist/turnover ratio this year ranks fourth in the BIG EAST (min. 3.0 assists per game), and his career ratio (including Boston) of 2.152 assists per turnover ranks 10th-best nationally among active players with 400 or more career assists.
That ratio ranks better that such highly-touted point guards such as, Kay Felder (2.151), Nic Moore (2.11), Ryan Arcidiacono (2.00), Yogi Ferrell (1.98) and Kris Dunn (1.79).
Watson surpassed 1,000 career points on Jan. 5 vs. Georgetown in the 81st game of Watson's collegiate career. If you're curious to see how that stacks up with others in recent Creighton history to reach 1,000 career points, here's a list:
Games To 1,000 CU Points, Last 15 Bluejays
Name Games to 1,000 pts. Date
Austin Chatman 139 03/11/15
Ethan Wragge 132 01/18/14
Gregory Echenique 101 03/24/13
Doug McDermott 57 01/15/12
Antoine Young 115 12/10/11
Kenny Lawson Jr. 108 11/21/10
P'Allen Stinnett 86 01/16/10
Dane Watts 115 01/22/08
Anthony Tolliver 124 03/16/07
Johnny Mathies 91 03/03/06
Nate Funk 92 02/28/05
Kyle Korver 81 01/30/02
Ben Walker 105 01/06/01
Ryan Sears 97 12/01/00
Rodney Buford 59 03/01/97
Groselle Good As Gold
Geoffrey Groselle made his last five shots in an 8-for-9 against North Texas on Dec. 21, then followed it with an 8-for-8 showing from the floor vs. Coppin State one week later. On Dec. 31 at St. John's, Groselle made his first eight shots before finishing 9-of-10. Groselle was also perfect from the field vs. Villanova on Jan. 2nd, though he only attempted one shot.
The streak of 21 straight field goals made was just five shy of the NCAA record set by Bowling Green's Torian Oglesby over seven games from Dec. 4, 2011-Jan. 1, 2012.
The recent play has moved Groselle's field goal percentage to 70.4 percent, the third-best mark nationally (min 5 FGA/game) and tops in the BIG EAST (min. 3 FG/game).
If you're curious, the NCAA record (min. 5 FG/game) was set in 1981 by Oregon State's Steve Johnson, who shot 74.6 percent, while the Creighton record (min. 200 attempts) is 67.4 percent set by Vernon Moore in 1984-85.
Groselle's older brother, Mike Groselle, played at The Citadel from 2009-13 and ranks eighth in Southern Conference history with a 58.9 career field goal percentage and led the league in that category as a senior when he shot 57.4 percent from the floor.
FG Percentage Leaders (through 1/31)
Minimum 5 FGA/game
Rk. Team FG%
1. Thomas Bryant, Indiana .728
2. Evan Bradds, Belmont .717
3. Geoffrey Groselle, Creighton .704
4. James Thompson IV, Eastern Michigan .697
5. Tyler Davis, Texas A&M .678
Not So Sweet Home
After going 61-10 in home non-conference games, BIG EAST teams are 19-26 at home thus far in league play.
BIG EAST teams went 54-36 in league play at home last year after going 55-35 in 2013-14 in Creighton's first year as a league member.
Century Mark Back-to-Back
Creighton scored 105 points on Dec. 21st against North Texas, then had 102 more on Dec. 28th vs. Coppin State.
Creighton had not scored 100 points or more in consecutive games since Jan. 29 (104 at Idaho State) and Feb. 2 (115 vs. Memphis) during the 1965-66 season, and had not scored 100 points twice in the same month since February of 1990.
Creighton has scored 100 points or more in three different games this season. It's the fourth different season in program history it's done that, and first time since 1989-90's squad did it three times.
The 1965-66 team cracked the century mark seven times, while the 1971-72 club reached triple-digits five times.
The Link Turns Into The Dunk Tank
Creighton has put down 40 dunks in 22 regular-season games as a unit this year. By comparison, Creighton had 29 dunks in 33 games all last season.
Seven different men have thrown down a dunk this winter, led by 11 from Geoffrey Groselle and 10 from both Zach Hanson and Khyri Thomas.
The Fast And The Furious
Creighton has 220 fast break points already this winter. By comparison, last year Creighton had a total of 143 fast break points (4.3 per game), and never had more than 11 in any contest.
Creighton had a whopping 30 fast break points in its Nov. 14 win over Texas Southern, added 24 more on Nov. 17 vs. UTSA.
Creighton's 30 fast break points are believed to be its most since moving to CenturyLink Center Omaha in 2003, with the next highest mark on file (before Texas Southern on Nov. 14) was listed as 24 vs. Kennesaw State on Nov. 26, 2010.
Pace Makers
Creighton ranks 22nd nationally in scoring offense, averaging 81.68 points per game to date.
This year's team has scored 79 points or more in 13 of its 14 victories, significantly better than last year's team that reached 85 points just twice all winter.
Since 2000-01, Creighton owns 54 games of 85+ points in the eight seasons it has made the NCAA Tournament, compared to 19 such outbursts in the seven years it has missed the Big Dance.
Year 85+ Point Games Postseason?
2015-16 9 TBD
2014-15 2 None
2013-14 12 NCAA
2012-13 7 NCAA
2011-12 13 NCAA
2010-11 3 CBI
2009-10 2 CIT
2008-09 3 NIT
2007-08 6 NIT
2006-07 0 NCAA
2005-06 2 NIT
2004-05 1 NCAA
2003-04 1 NIT
2002-03 11 NCAA
2001-02 6 NCAA
2000-01 4 NCAA
Balance Is Key
Here's a look at how Creighton has done statistically after 20 games in recent seasons.
Of note, Creighton has started 14-8 or better after 22 games in 17 of the past 19 seasons.
Creighton's 81.68 points per game clip is the team's eighth-highest mark after 22 games in history, and most since the 2002-03 club was averaging 82.77 points at this point. Creighton's single-season record is 88.2 points per game in 1965-66, and that team was averaging 89.41 points per game after 22 contests.
Creighton's 47.5 percent field goal percentage through 22 games is the fifth-best mark in the last 20 years, trailing only the 2002-03, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 teams that were led by Kyle Korver and Doug McDermott, respectively.
Creighton's 183 three-pointers through 22 games are its eighth-most in the last 20 years, as well.
Year W-L PPG FG% 3FG 10+ PPG guys
2015-16 14-8 81.7 .475 183 3
2014-15 10-12 67.5 .416 180 1
2013-14 19-3 81.2 .492 237 2
2012-13 19-3 79.1 .521 214 2
2011-12 20-2 80.9 .514 189 2
2010-11 13-9 66.9 .448 153 4
2009-10 11-11 69.5 .434 159 1
2008-09 16-6 73.7 .437 188 2
2007-08 16-6 72.1 .459 189 2
2006-07 15-7 67.5 .444 138 2
2005-06 17-5 68.0 .426 163 3
2004-05 14-8 69.8 .447 181 3
2003-04 18-4 69.7 .468 129 3
2002-03 20-2 82.8 .518 190 2
2001-02 16-6 74.8 .455 139 3
2000-01 16-6 73.1 .436 158 3
1999-00 15-7 72.8 .473 185 3
1998-99 15-7 77.8 .465 175 2
1997-98 16-6 76.4 .467 166 3
1996-97 12-10 66.5 .424 113 3
1995-96 12-10 66.6 .401 136 1
1994-95 6-16 61.5 .379 144 2
Release, Rotation, Splash, Repeat
Creighton has made at least one three-pointer in 735 straight games since a 59-53 loss at Illinois State on Feb. 20, 1993. The streak is the nation's 23rd-longest active streak.
Creighton's last win without making a three-point basket came on March 3, 1991 when the Jays went 0-for-2 from three-point range in a 71-66 win over Southern Illinois in the championship game of the MVC Tournament.
Creighton's streak of games with at least 15 trey attempts stands at 98, which is second-longest nationally.
Courtesy Stats Inc., below is a list of the nation's longest active three-point streaks.
Longest Active 3-Point Streaks (thru 1/31)
Rk. Streak School Next Game
1. 962 UNLV 2/2
2. 959 Kentucky 2/2
3. 952 Vanderbilt 2/4
4. 932 Duke 2/2
5. 893 Western Kentucky 2/4
6. 890 Arkansas 2/3
7. 881 East Tennessee State 2/4
8. 877 Pacific 2/4
9. 857 Oakland 2/1
10. 846 Texas 2/1
11. 832 Princeton 2/5
12. 818 Florida 2/3
13. 798 La Salle 2/3
14. 797 Marshall 2/4
15. 787 Baylor 2/1
16. 766 LIU-Brooklyn 2/4
17. 762 Cornell 2/5
18. 759 Gonzaga 2/4
19. 746 Mount St. Mary's 2/4
20. 745 Tennessee State 2/4
21. 743 Samford 2/1
22. 738 East Carolina 2/7
23. 735 Creighton 2/3
24. 699 Lafayette 2/3
25. 697 DePaul 2/2
26. 689 Davidson 2/3
Longest Active Streaks of 15+ 3FG Attempts
(Source: STATS Inc., thru Jan. 31)
Rk. Streak School Next Game
1. 154 Coppin State 2/1
2. 98 Creighton 2/3
3. 89 Iona 2/1
4. 88 San Jose State 2/3
5. 79 Lipscomb 2/1
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go
Creighton has averaged 81.68 points per game in its first 22 regular-season contests to date.
Greg McDermott is 36-0 as a Division I head coach when his teams score 90 or more points, including a 30-0 mark on the Creighton sideline.
In fact, McDermott's team has already scored 90 or more points eight times (in 22 games) this season, compared to six total times in 280 games on the sideline in nine years at Northern Iowa and Iowa State.
Creighton has won 74 straight games when scoring 90 or more points at all sites since a Jan. 11, 1988 loss to Southern Illinois.
Creighton is 52-2 all-time when scoring 100 points or more, including 24 straight wins since a 1977 loss to North Texas State.
So Many Weapons
Creighton had seven players score in double-figures in its Dec. 28 win over Coppin State, as Geoffrey Groselle (16), Isaiah Zierden (16), Cole Huff (14), Malik Albert (13), Khyri Thomas (10), Maurice Watson Jr. (10) and Zach Hanson (10) all had 10 or more points.
It was the first time since at least 1980-81 that Creighton has had seven men score 10 or more points in the same game.
It's also the first time since Nov. 21, 2010 that all five Bluejay starters scored in double-figures in the same contest.
Albert's 13 points were a season-high, and made him the 11th different Bluejay with score 10 or more points in a game this season.
McDermott Moves Into Top Four
CU's Dec. 9 win over Nebraska was the 127th on the Creighton sideline for head coach Greg McDermott. The triumph helped McDermott pass Eddie Hickey for fifth in Creighton history in wins.
Nineteen days later on Dec. 28, McDermott tied Tom Apke (1974-81), who had 130 wins for fourth place on the wins list. He currently has 135 victories to own sole possession of fourth place.
McDermott's .675 winning percentage is Creighton's best since Arthur A. Schabinger's .714 win rate more 80 years ago.
McDermott reached 130 wins quicker than any coach except Schabinger, as well.
Below is a list of the most victorious Creighton MBB coaches in history.
Most Coaching Wins, Creighton History
Rk. W-L Name (games to 130 wins) Years
1. 327-176 Dana Altman (220) 1994-2010
2. 165-66 Arthur A. Schabinger (182) 1922-35
3. 138-118 John J. "Red" McManus (242) 1959-69
4. 135-65 Greg McDermott (191) 2010-Pres.
5. 130-64 Tom Apke (193) 1974-81
Double R's, Double L's, Double-Double Harrell
With Toby Hegner and Martin Krampelj out of the line-up, Ronnie Harrell Jr. took advantage of an opportunity to play extended minutes on Dec. 21 vs. North Texas.
Harrell, who entered the game with 16 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals in his first six career games, had career-highs with 14 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two steals against the Mean Green.
Harrell became the first Creighton freshman with a double-double since Doug McDermott had 31 points and 10 rebounds against Davidson in the 2011 CBI.
Since Greg McDermott took over as coach six years ago, the only other Creighton player with at least 14 points, 11 rebounds and five or more assists was Austin Chatman. Chatman had 17 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in Creighton's 65-63 win over Oklahoma on Nov. 19, 2014.
Big Men In The Middle
Geoffrey Groselle and Zach Hanson were a big part of Creighton's 105-82 romp over North Texas on Dec. 21, as both men went for career-highs and combined for 40 points on 14-of-15 shooting from the floor, adding five blocked shots.
Groselle's 27 points were seven more than his previous best and came on 8-of-9 shooting from the floor and 11-of-14 free throw marksmanship.
Hanson's 13 points were two more than his previous best. He was a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor and also 1-for-2 at the line.
The duo continued their effectiveness on Dec. 28 vs. Coppin State. Groselle was a perfect 8-for-8 from the floor and added nine rebounds, while Hanson was 3-for-4 from the floor. Both men added two blocked shots.
Khyri Lets It Fly
Khyri Thomas had the best scoring game of his young career on Dec. 5 when he poured in 22 points at Loyola (Chicago). Thomas sank 9-of-10 shots from the field, and was 4-for-4 from three-point range.
Thomas' 22 points were the most by a Bluejay freshman in a game since Doug McDermott had 31 vs. Davidson on March 21, 2011, and the most points by a Creighton freshman in a true road game since Rodney Buford also scored 22 points at Wichita State on Feb. 3, 1996.
Thomas' 90 percent marksmanship from the field was the second-best single-game showing by a Bluejay (minimum 8 FG) since 1994, trailing only an 11-for-11 outing from Anthony Tolliver vs. Illinois State on Jan. 1, 2007.
Thomas' 4-for-4 showing from three-point range was the most makes without a miss from downtown since Devin Brooks also went 4-for-4 from deep on Nov. 28, 2013 vs. Arizona State.
Creighton hasn't had a player go 5-for-5 (or better) from three-point range since Michael Lindeman was 5-for-5 vs. Bradley on Feb. 8, 2003.
Triple Threat
Khyri Thomas entered the Dec. 9 game vs. Nebraska with five total assists in Creighton's first eight games, but the freshman guard would match that total in the first 14 minutes, and tallied seven helpers overall.
Thomas finished with seven points, seven assists and nine rebounds against the Cornhuskers. He is just the third Bluejay in Greg McDermott's six-year tenure to post at least seven points, seven rebounds and seven assists in the same game, joining Austin Chatman and Grant Gibbs. Both Chatman and Gibbs did it twice each. Maurice Watson Jr. has also done it once since then (Jan. 26 at Georgetown).
Creighton has never had a traditional point/rebound/assist triple-double.
7+ Point, 7+ Rebound, 7+ Assist Games, Since 2010-11
Pts. Reb. Ast. Name Date
12 10 7 Grant Gibbs 1/13/12
12 7 9 Austin Chatman 11/11/13
9 7 10 Grant Gibbs 12/19/11
9 7 7 Austin Chatman 1/25/14
7 9 7 Khyri Thomas 12/9/15
16 8 7 Maurice Watson Jr. 1/26/16
Thomas Makes History
Khyri Thomas opened his Creighton career with 18 points in a win over Texas Southern, which earned him BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honors on Nov. 16th.
Thomas is the first Bluejay in program history to be named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week.
Creighton's last player to be named league Freshman/Newcomer of the Week following the first week of the season was Doug McDermott on Nov. 15, 2010, when CU was in the Missouri Valley Conference. McDermott would go on to be named First-Team All-MVC and, MVC Newcomer of the Year and MVC Freshman of the Year.
Among The Best
Since the start of the 2010-11 season, which coincides with Greg McDermott's arrival, Creighton has been the nation's fourth-most accurate team from three-point range.
The Bluejays are 1675-4297 from deep in that time, shooting 39.0 percent.
Best 3FG%, Since 2010-11
Rk. Pct. Team 3FG 3FGA
1. .395 Indiana 1390 3521
2. .392 Northern Colorado 1197 3056
3. .391 Weber State 1425 3641
4. .390 Creighton 1675 4297
5. .388 UC Davis 1360 3507
Shooting Stars
Creighton has proven to be one of the nation's best shooting teams since the 2010-11 season, which coincides with when Greg McDermott arrived at Creighton.
Check out the lists below that show various categories showcasing their dominance, through Jan. 31:
Most Games, 50% FG & 40% 3FG
Rk. Occasions Team
1. 67 Creighton
2. 59 Gonzaga
3. 58 Saint Mary's
4. 57 Kansas
57 Denver
Most Games, 50% 3FG
Rk. Occasions Team
1. 45 Creighton
2. 42 Michigan State
3. 41 Northern Colorado
41 UCLA
5. 39 Weber State
39 Northeastern
39 Evansville
Most Games, 40% 3FG
Rk. Occasions Team
1. 103 Creighton
2. 99 Duke
3. 97 Indiana
4. 93 Weber State
5. 91 Arizona
Most Games, 50% FG
Rk. Occasions Team
1. 95 Gonzaga
2. 88 Kansas
3. 86 Belmont
4. 84 Creighton
5. 81 Indiana
81 Kentucky
Most Games, 60% FG
Rk. Occasions Team
1. 16 Creighton
16 Ohio State
16 Utah
4. 14 Kansas
14 Gonzaga
14 North Dakota State
Most Games, 25+ Assists
Rk. Occasions Team
1. 19 Michigan State
2. 16 North Carolina
3. 15 Iona
4. 14 Creighton
14 Sam Houston State
A 60 Point Half!
Creighton scored 61 points in the first half on Nov. 17 vs. UTSA, tying a CenturyLink Center Omaha record first done in the second half vs. Houston Baptist on Dec. 12, 2007.
It was also the most points in any first half since scoring 61 vs. Drake on Feb. 3, 1990.
Creighton had not scored 60 points in any half since doing so in the first half on Nov. 25, 2011 vs. Campbell, and the 61 were tied for its second-most point in any half since 1996-97, trailing only a 63-point outburst in the second half of the 2002-03 opener vs. Texas-Arlington.
Creighton scored 60 points in a half for the second time this year when it did so in the second half of a 97-76 win over Massachusetts on Nov. 25th.
Malik's Magic
Junior guard Malik Albert got extended run on Nov. 17 vs. UTSA with Maurice Watson Jr. saddled to the bench with two personal fouls. The Detroit native responded in a big way, finishing with 10 assists in 20 minutes of work. The 10 assists led to 28 points from his Bluejay teammates.
In the process, Albert became the nation's third reserve with 10 or more assists in 20 minutes or less in a win against a Division I team since 2010-11. He joins Kansas's Naadir Tharpe (12 assists in 20 minutes vs. American on Dec. 29, 2012) and Louisiana Tech's Kenneth Smith (10 assists in 20 minutes on Nov. 20, 2013 vs. Central Arkansas).
Per STATS Inc., Albert became the second BIG EAST reserve since 2004-05 with 10+ assists in 20 minutes or less against a Division I team, joining Marquette's Maurice Acker (12/28/08 vs. Presbyterian).
Albert is Creighton's only player in the last 30 years to have a game of 10 or more assists as a reserve.
Big Margin Can Lead To Big Things
Creighton's 104-77 win last year vs. Central Arkansas was the second straight season the team has cracked triple-digits in a season-opener.
The 2015-16 season saw Creighton reach 90 points in each of its first two games this season, just the fourth time that's happened. Each of the previous three times (1973-74, 2011-12, 2013-14), the Bluejays would reach the NCAA Tournament and then win at last one game in the Big Dance.
Nine of Creighton's 19 all-time NCAA Tournament teams have scored 90 or more points in their season-opener.
Here's a look at Creighton's last eight teams to score 90 or more in a season-opener, which shows that six of the previous seven to do so reached the NCAA Tournament.
Final Post-
Score Opponent Date W-L Season
93-70 Texas Southern 11/14/15 ? ? ? ? ? ?
104-77 Central Arkansas 11/14/14 14-19 --
107-61 Alcorn State 11/08/13 27-8 NCAA
97-65 N. Carolina A&T 11/11/11 29-6 NCAA
106-50 Texas-Arlington 11/17/02 29-5 NCAA
96-50 Western Illinois 11/20/00 24-8 NCAA
93-48 Towson State 11/14/98 22-9 NCAA
93-47 UT-San Antonio 11/30/90 24-8 NCAA
Debut News
Creighton started three players on Nov. 14 who were making their Bluejay debut, as transfers Cole Huff and Maurice Watson Jr. joined true freshman Khyri Thomas in the first five.
Thomas' start was especially historic, as he became just the third true freshman to start since 1992-93, joining Bluejay legends Doug McDermott (2010-11) and Ryan Sears (1997-98). Both McDermott (145 games) and Sears (124) started every contest of their four-year Creighton careers.
Huff Earns MVP Honor
Nevada transfer Cole Huff returned to the Silver State and picked up MVP honors of the 2015 Men Who Speak Up Main Event after averaging 19.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in the two wins.
Huff made 13-of-25 field goal attempts, including 7-of-15 three-pointers. He scored 26 points in the victory over Rutgers before a 12-point effort over UMass in the title game.
Preseason BIG EAST Poll
Creighton was picked to finish ninth in its third season as BIG EAST Conference members according to a preseason poll of league coaches. Villanova was picked first with 81 points and nine first-place votes, while Georgetown (70, 1), Butler (67), Xavier (55) and Providence (45) round out the top half. The predicted lower half was Marquette (44), Seton Hall (27), DePaul (25), Creighton (23) and St. John's (13).
Creighton did not have any honorees on the Preseason All-BIG EAST Teams, which was led by Preseason Player of the Year Kris Dunn from Providence.
Zierden Returns From Second Knee Injury
Isaiah Zierden had 15 points on Nov. 14 after missing the second half of last season after suffering a season-ending injury to his right knee for the second straight campaign.
Zierden was carried off the floor with 4:05 left in the first half on Jan. 21, 2015 at Butler and did not return.
An MRI two days later determined that Zierden partially tore the MCL in his knee, while also suffering an injury to his patella.
Unlike his first injury, Zierden elected to have surgery this time around, as he underwent a medical procedure in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 13, 2015.
The uncommon injury is very similar to one he suffered the previous March at Xavier, which caused him to miss CU's last seven games.
NBA Representation
This year marks the second time since 1970 (joining last season) that Creighton has three NBA players at the same time, as Kyle Korver (Atlanta Hawks), Anthony Tolliver (Detroit Pistons) and Doug McDermott (Chicago Bulls) are all in the league.
Including 2015-16, Creighton has now had an NBA player in 32 of the last 33 years.
Korver ranks ninth in NBA history with 1,817 three-pointers and is also eighth in league history with 42.9 percent marksmanship from three-point range (through Jan. 31). He owns NBA records with 127 straight games with a three-pointer, and also set a single-season NBA mark that still stands with his 53.6 percent shooting from three-point range. Last season he was named an All-Star and led the league in three-point percentage for the third time.
Tolliver is averaging 5.4 points per game this season for the Pistons, his 10th NBA organization.
McDermott is in his second season with the Chicago Bulls, where he's averaging 7.8 points per game and ranks eighth in the NBA, shooting 43.3 percent from three-point range for fellow Ames High alum Fred Hoiberg. Hoiberg, ironically, is the same man who replaced Greg McDermott as Iowa State's head coach in 2010.
Full House
Last year's Creighton team averaged 17,048 fans in 17 home dates, good for sixth-nationally, and better than 11 NBA franchises.
It's the 10th straight season that CU has been among the nation's top 25 in average home attendance, and the fourth straight season in the top-six nationally in attendance, as well.
Last year Creighton was the nation's first team to average 17,000+ fans, despite a losing record, since Louisville in 2000-01.
This year's team is averaging 17,015 fans per game, which ranks seventh nationally through Jan. 31.
2015-16 Attendance Leaders
Rk. School Average Next Home
1. Kentucky 23,138 2/6
2. Louisville 20,376 2/1
3. Syracuse 20,597 2/2
4. Maryland 17,827 2/6
5. North Carolina 17,549 2/14
6. Wisconsin 17,287 2/4
7. Creighton 17,015 2/6
8. Indiana 16,994 2/11
9. North Carolina State 16,599 2/13
10. Kansas 16,493 2/3
Highest Average Attendance, Creighton History
Avg. Att. School Year
17,896 Creighton 2013-14
17,155 Creighton 2012-13
17,048 Creighton 2014-15
17,015 so far Creighton 2015-16
16,665 Creighton 2011-12
Full House
Creighton's Jan. 30 crowd of 17,924 was the program's 18th largest home crowd ever. Here's a look at Creighton's top-20 home crowds all-time.
Rank Att. Opponent Date
1. 18,868 Providence 03/08/14
2. 18,859 Georgetown 01/25/14
3. 18,797 #6 Villanova 02/16/14
4. 18,742 Seton Hall 02/23/14
5. 18,735 Wichita State 02/11/12
6. 18,613 Wichita State 03/02/13
7. 18,525 Marquette 12/31/13
8. 18,494 Illinois State 02/09/13
9. 18,458 Evansville 12/29/12
10. 18,436 Bradley 01/28/12
11. 18,323 DePaul 02/07/14
12. 18,160 Central Arkansas 11/14/14
13. 18,111 Bradley 02/02/13
14. 18,078 Tulsa 11/23/13
15. 18,073 Drake 01/08/13
16. 17,971 #19 Butler 02/16/15
17. 17,954 Wichita State 12/28/08
18. 17,924 Seton Hall 01/30/16
19. 17,766 Nebraska 12/09/15
20. 17,740 Alcorn State 11/08/13
Going For 20, Again
Creighton has won 20 or more games in 15 of the last 17 seasons (including 2014-15), a feat that puts the Jays among an exclusive group, nationally.
Just three schools nationally have had 20 or more wins each of the last 17 years: Duke, Gonzaga and Kansas.
Kentucky , Florida, Texas and Syracuse have each done it in 16 of the last 17 seasons.
Along with Arizona, Xavier, Kent State and Connecticut, Creighton is one of five schools with 20 or more wins in exactly 15 of the past 17 years.
Très Bien
Creighton made 39-of-91 three-pointers (42.9 percent) in its BIG EAST victories last season, but just 93-for-299 (31.1 percent) from deep in its league losses.
For the season Creighton shot 34.5 percent from three-point land.
Since 2011-12, Creighton is 43-38 (.531) when shooting 40.00 percent or worse from three-point range. While respectable, that pales in comparison to CU's 69-10 (.873) mark the last five years when shooting better than 40.00 percent from downtown.
Lower the standards to 30%, and it's still impressive. Creighton is 99-24 in the last five years when shooting 30 percent or better from deep, compared to 13-24 when shooting 29.99 percent or less.
NCAA Success
Creighton is one of 18 schools to have won an NCAA Tournament game in at least three of the last four seasons.
Gonzaga, Kansas, Louisville, Michigan State and North Carolina are the only five teams to have won at least one game all four seasons.
The list of teams with an NCAA win in three of the last four campaigns consists of Arizona, Creighton, Florida, Iowa State, Kentucky, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Oregon, Saint Louis, San Diego State, Syracuse, Wichita State and Wisconsin.
CenturyLink Center Omaha Success
Creighton has played 216 regular and postseason contests at CenturyLink Center Omaha all-time in the 13-year-old facility.
The Bluejays own a 179-37 (.829) record all-time at the facility, and have never lost there on a Thursday (7-0) or Friday (10-0).
Creighton has outscored its opponents 16,432-13,912 in games at CenturyLink Center Omaha, an average margin of 11.67 points per game. Creighton has led wire-to-wire 58 different times, including six times this year (UTSA, Western Illinois, Nebraska, IUPUI, North Texas and Coppin State).
Creighton is also 25-21 all-time in the 45 games at CLCO in which it's fallen behind by double-figures.
Creighton is 82-19 (.812) at CenturyLink Center Omaha under Greg McDermott, including a 47-4 record vs. non-conference teams.
Factor in a 17-0 home mark at the Omaha Civic Auditorium in 2002-03 and two wins at the Civic in the 2010 CIT, and the Bluejays are 198-37 (.843) at home since the start of the 2002-03 campaign.
What A Start!
Greg McDermott is 135-65 on the Creighton sideline midway through his sixth year at the helm. The 135 wins are easily the most in Creighton history in the first six seasons, way more than Tom Apke's 109.
Most Wins at CU, First Six Seasons
Coach Years W-L After 6 Yrs
Greg McDermott 2010-Pres. 135-65 so far
Tom Apke 1974-80 109-55
Tony Barone 1985-91 102-82
Dana Altman 1994-00 99-78
Red McManus 1959-65 91-63
Pizza Pie, Piled High = Wins
Thanks to a promotion with Omaha-based Godfather's Pizza, Creighton season ticket-holders can get a free mini pizza any time the Jays score 75 points at home.
History has proven that when the team earns the fans pizza, it often leads to a victory as well.
The first three years of CenturyLink Center Omaha (2003-06), Creighton needed 70 points to earn its fans free pizza, and the Jays went 27-3 when reaching that threshold, closing out that run with 12 straight wins.
Since upping the standard to 75 points prior to the 2006-07 campaign, Creighton is 94-1 when scoring 75 points or more at CenturyLink Center Omaha. In other words, Creighton is 106-1 in CenturyLink Center Omaha since Feb. 6, 2005 when scoring enough points to earn its fans some free pizza. The perfect streak of 101-0 was snapped on Dec. 2, 2015 when Arizona State scored three points in the final 15 seconds to sneak away with a 79-77 victory.
Home Run
Since Greg McDermott took over in 2010, Creighton is averaging 78.59 points per home game (7,938 points in 101 home games).
Since a 92-83 loss to Southern Illinois on Feb. 19, 2000, Creighton is 116-0 at home (87-0 at CenturyLink Center Omaha) when scoring 78 points or more, and 97-0 at home (70-0 at CenturyLink Center Omaha) when scoring 80 points or more at home dating to that same setback.
Last Season Recap
Creighton went 14-19 last season, finishing 4-14 to tie for ninth place in the BIG EAST Conference.
The Bluejays started the season 5-0, including a win over No. 18 Oklahoma, before losing eight remaining games in the final minute.
Senior point guard Austin Chatman led Creighton in scoring (11.5 ppg.) and assists (3.7 apg.), while fellow senior Devin Brooks paced the team in rebounds (5.0 ppg.) and steals (1.0 spg.).
Despite the struggles on the court, Creighton still ranked sixth nationally with 17,048 fans per home game.
Shuttle Service Provided Again
Chief Bus will provide complimentary shuttle service from the Creighton University campus to CenturyLink Center Omaha for all men's basketball home games this season. The service is available to all fans, not just Creighton students.
The shuttle will start 75 minutes before tip-off and shuttles will continue to operate the route during the game. The three designated stops for pick-up around the CU campus are: 24th & California (nearside/southbound); 20th & Cass (nearside/eastbound) and at Billy Blues Alumni Grill (outside the Mike & Josie Harper Center in the turnaround which is on the east side of the building).
The shuttle will then go eastbound on Capitol Avenue and then go north up 10th Street for drop-off at the CenturyLink Center Omaha convention center entrance. The route is designed for each shuttle driver to make a roundtrip every 15 minutes.
Following the game's conclusion, the shuttle will start at the CenturyLink Center Omaha convention center entrance on 10th Street and loop the original route with the first of three stops at 24th & California Streets.
Ticket Information
Single-game tickets for the 2015-16 season went on sale on October 29th.
Fans can purchase single-game tickets at CenturyLink Center Omaha Box Office, Ryan Athletic Center, all Ticketmaster locations (Baker's, Younkers), Ticketmaster online at http://www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster and charging by phone at (800) 745-3000. Only upper bowl seats will be available for any game.
For more information, call the Creighton Ticket Office at (402) 280-JAYS.
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/ Men's BasketballMeet the Jays - MBB Blake Harper
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Meet the Jays - MBB Austin Swartz
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Meet the Jays - MBB Jasen Green
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Meet the Jays - MBB Ty Davis
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