Game 18: Creighton 630P (FS1, 570AM)

Suddenly one of the most critical games of the season:

https://gocreighton.com/news/2019/1/14/mens-basketball-meets-st-johns-on-wednesday-night.aspx

Scouting Creighton
Creighton is 10-7 overall and 1-3 in BIG EAST play while navigating a top-10 schedule, having already played 12 teams that won 21 games or more a year ago. The Bluejays own impressive wins away from home at Providence and on a neutral floor over No. 16 Clemson thus far.
    Creighton ranks second nationally in three-point percentage (.439), third in total three-pointers (207), third in three-pointers made per game (12.2)  and fourth in field goal percentage (.511).
    Creighton returns eight lettermen and two starters from last year's team that finished 21-12 and tied for third in the BIG EAST Conference with a 10-8 league record. The Bluejays advanced to its fifth NCAA Tournament in the past seven seasons, where it fell to eventual Elite Eight qualifier Kansas State.
    Creighton owns six men averaging 9.4 points per game or more, a grouping led by sophomores Ty-Shon Alexander (17.4 ppg.) and Mitch Ballock (11.3 ppg.). The duo have combined for 109 three-pointers this winter.
    Coming on strong of late is junior forward Martin Krampelj (11.0 ppg., 6.0 rpg.). He's averaged 16.1 points and 8.3 rebounds in CU's last seven games.
    Creighton leads the BIG EAST with 51.1 percent field goal percentage, 43.9 percent three-point marksmanship, and 84.5 points per game.

The Series With St. John's
Creighton is 10-7 all-time against St. John's, and 8-2 in the rivalry since joining the BIG EAST.  Creighton has won the last six meetings, with four of those coming by double-figures.
    The Bluejays are 3-6 all-time in road games against the Red Storm, but those three wins came in the last three meetings, each of which were contested at Carnesecca Arena.
    Greg McDermott is 8-2 against St. John's and 6-0 against Chris Mullin.

Suddenly one of the most critical games of the season:

https://gocreighton.com/news/2019/1/14/mens-basketball-meets-st-johns-on-wednesday-night.aspx

Scouting Creighton
Creighton is 10-7 overall and 1-3 in BIG EAST play while navigating a top-10 schedule, having already played 12 teams that won 21 games or more a year ago. The Bluejays own impressive wins away from home at Providence and on a neutral floor over No. 16 Clemson thus far.
    Creighton ranks second nationally in three-point percentage (.439), third in total three-pointers (207), third in three-pointers made per game (12.2)  and fourth in field goal percentage (.511).
    Creighton returns eight lettermen and two starters from last year's team that finished 21-12 and tied for third in the BIG EAST Conference with a 10-8 league record. The Bluejays advanced to its fifth NCAA Tournament in the past seven seasons, where it fell to eventual Elite Eight qualifier Kansas State.
    Creighton owns six men averaging 9.4 points per game or more, a grouping led by sophomores Ty-Shon Alexander (17.4 ppg.) and Mitch Ballock (11.3 ppg.). The duo have combined for 109 three-pointers this winter.
    Coming on strong of late is junior forward Martin Krampelj (11.0 ppg., 6.0 rpg.). He's averaged 16.1 points and 8.3 rebounds in CU's last seven games.
    Creighton leads the BIG EAST with 51.1 percent field goal percentage, 43.9 percent three-point marksmanship, and 84.5 points per game.

The Series With St. John's
Creighton is 10-7 all-time against St. John's, and 8-2 in the rivalry since joining the BIG EAST.  Creighton has won the last six meetings, with four of those coming by double-figures.
    The Bluejays are 3-6 all-time in road games against the Red Storm, but those three wins came in the last three meetings, each of which were contested at Carnesecca Arena.
    Greg McDermott is 8-2 against St. John's and 6-0 against Chris Mullin.

“So you’re saying there’s a chance”

No days off in the BE. Another tough game on Wednesday. Win this game and we can get back on course. If we are an NCAA team this is a game at home we need to win.

With Ponds we're only about 3 point favs. Without him we'll be 2 point dogs probably

Syracuse just beat Duke at Cameron. Pitt just beat FSU. Power conference play is brutal.

Creighton's always a tough matchup for the Johnnies. Hoping we pull out a close one as I agree this is an important early season conf game.

Syracuse just beat Duke at Cameron. Pitt just beat FSU. Power conference play is brutal.

Creighton's always a tough matchup for the Johnnies. Hoping we pull out a close one as I agree this is an important early season conf game.

All I can think of is playing Creighton with our we dare you to make a wide open jumper defense.

Without Ponds we don’t match up well with anyone. We have no identity. He is the team.

Do or Die Wednesday.

https://twitter.com/NYPost_Brazille/status/1085213195348967424

His lower  back strain still acting up?

His lower  back strain still acting up?

Hopefully not the same ailment that befell Lovett's perennially bum knee

One key injury to Creighton that is a big blow to their defensive efforts is Damien Jefferson. Now that Khyri Thomas is in the NBA (he owned Shamorie), Jefferson is their do all small forward and he's expected to be out tn. You can tell in McD's comments that this hole really hurts them:

https://www.omaha.com/creighton/mens-basketball/creighton-s-defensive-numbers-don-t-show-it-but-greg/article_420d390d-13d0-5b8d-9fe3-d8ae6caf1404.html

Creighton's team defense is putrid! Step up defensively and return to our scoring ways and we should be OK tn.

Ponds definitely playing

Keita has to start going up strong. He’s a big guy. Good to see people looking for him down low, it’ll start going in eventually.

Keita has to start going up strong. He’s a big guy. Good to see people looking for him down low, it’ll start going in eventually.

He isn’t ready for this.

Keita should be at St Francis College

Pennsylvania

Heron really just came off the bench and took a step back fade away jumpshot while smothered, with plenty of time on the shot clock.

Yeah it’s Heron not Harden. Gotta figure something out with him, too big of a talent to be wasted.

Again, Creighton getting far better looks than we are each time down the court