Creighton Bluejays (23-16, 10-8)
Projected starting five:
So. F Doug McDermott
Sr. G Antoine Young
Jr. C Gregory Echenique
So. G Jahenns Manigat
Jr. G Josh Jones
Important departures:
Kenny Lawson Jr.: 9.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg
Darryl Ashford: 4.4 ppg
Kaleb Korver: 4.3 ppg
Percent returning:
Starts: 64.1 percent
Minutes: 60.8
Scoring: 72.3 percent
Rebounding: 60.1 percent
Additions:
Creighton has a very strong list of incoming freshmen. Center Geoff Groselle joins the Bluejays from Plano West High School, Texas, after breaking his high school’s record for blocks and rebounds in a season. Groselle was considered one of the top 25 prospects in Texas. Avery Dingman broke his school’s record for points in a season with 597 as a junior at Branson High School, Mo. Then the guard broke it again with 705 points in his senior campaign. Rounding out a fearsome trio is guard/forward, Nevin Johnson, who also considered Bradley and Wichita State.
Toughest nonconference match ups:
Nov. 30 at San Diego State
Outlook:
The preseason hype is there in Omaha, and it should be. Three players who averaged double figures in scoring last season return for Creighton. The Bluejays also had two players sit in the MVC top ten for scoring and rebounding last season, with all of them returning. So it should come as no surprise that Creighton is on the verge of its first top 25 ranking since 2006-07. How the bench and newcomers perform will determine whether it’s the Bluejays or Indiana State hoisting the conference crown in March though. Outside of the starting lineup, there’s not a lot of experience sitting on the bench. Nevertheless, look for Creighton to dance this season, as head coach Greg McDermott makes it back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since he led Northern Iowa there in 2006.
