Toby Hegner (#32 / F / 6-10 / 225 lbs / So.)
It can’t be easy following greatness, especially after sitting out a year to watch it up close and personal. That is exactly what Toby Hegner had to do last season for the Bluejays.
Two seasons ago, Hegner joined the Creighton program and donned the redshirt to watch Doug McDermott finish his Bluejay career as one of the most storied players in CU history and the school’s all-time leading scorer. McDermott graduated, and Hegner is the guy that followed him in the starting lineup for most of the 2014-15 season.
Hegner last season become only the third freshman in the last 22 years to start a season opener — heady company, considering the other two are McDermott and Creighton’s all-time assists and steals leader Ryan Sears. Hegner scored in double figures in four of his first eight games as a Bluejay averaging a little over 25 minutes a game during the first month of the season.
Against Nebraska in early December, Hegner started but sat during the second half during the Bluejays victory. This was the first of many teaching moments handed out to Hegner by head coach Greg McDermott. Toby struggled in the first half against the Huskers, going 0-of-5 from the field with two rebounds in only 12 minutes of play. From there, while he retained his starting spot for most games, Hegner often found himself logging limited minutes as Big East play toughened.
However, Hegner had his biggest game coming off the bench for the first time in a win over St. John’s on January 31. Hegner was 6-of-7 from the field including 5-of-6 from behind the arc with 21 points. He added 5 rebounds and distributed three assists in 27 minutes of play.
Hegner might find himself as a scoring threat off the bench this season, since Nevada transfer Cole Huff is competing for the starting power forward position. At 6’10”, Hegner’s size makes him versatile at multiple positions. That includes the “5” spot, with Coach McDermott trying Hegner there in a role similar to the one Ethan Wragge played two seasons ago. Such a move would give the Jays, known to “Let It Fly”, an outside shot threat at all five positions.
No matter what happens with Hegner, whether as a starter or off the bench, he will have an opportunity to contribute. And as a third-year sophomore in the program, Hegner provides veteran leadership that could help the Bluejays get over the hump in games this season that might not have gone their way last year.
Check out a Toby Hegner photo gallery here!
Creighton Career Stats (2014-15)
6.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 72-172, 3FG (.360)
Q&A With Toby Hegner
Q; What are you looking forward to most going into this season?
A: “Just getting back at it. It has been a long time we have played a game. So just getting back on the floor, in front of the fans, and getting that adrenaline going again.”
Q: How much do you feel it is going to be different this year compared to last year and not having the season you wanted to last season?
A: “I think we have a lot more depth and a lot more weapons than we did last year. We have a lot more people that can score. It will be very interesting to see who is playing well each game. It could be one person this night and this person the next night. You will never know what is going to happen. I feel like that is going to play in our favor just because people won’t be able to plan for everyone on our team to have a great night.”
Q: How do you see your role playing out this season?
“I could see it playing at the ‘4’ or the ‘5.’ I know Mac and I talked a little bit this summer about playing the 5 this year. It will be interesting to see what happens, but I could definitely see us doing what Ethan (Wragge) and Doug (McDermott) did during their senior year.”
Q: That leads me to my next question. The offense and the way it flows now, is this becoming the staple of McDermott’s programs?
A: “Yes, definitely. Playing small has definitely played in the favor of a lot teams. Look at Doug and Ethan during their senior year and what they did. A lot of teams are trying to do it a little more. We are actually pretty fortunate that we can do it with Cole and me, Martin and me, and Martin and Cole.”
Q: After your first go-around in the Big East, where are you excited to play this year?
A: “You know, I love playing at the Garden. I mean everyone says it, but it will always going to be Madison Square Garden because it is such a historical place and a fun place to play. If I had to choose somewhere other than the Garden, I would have to pick Hinkle (Fieldhouse). It is just coming back to the historical side of everything.”
Q: With the non-conference schedule, is there a particular game that is sticking out to you?
A: “I’m excited about the Oklahoma game. They are going to give us everything they got just because of what happened last year. It is going to turn out to be a great game, probably the most exciting out of our non-conference schedule.”
