After last week’s two-for-one special, featuring Omaha Metro Summer League games Tuesday and Thursday, the league locks into its normally scheduled program.
Games take place at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Thursday night at the Omaha Sports Academy. There promises to be plenty for Creighton fans to focus on this week, especially during the 7:30 p.m. time slot.
Will all the Creighton players be playing? Just like last week, we may not see Darryl Ashford, Josh Jones, and Greg Echenique due to class. Jones did play last Thursday, at 8:30 p.m., and all three of those Jays are supposed to play at 8:30 p.m. this week. So, maybe that means we might see them.
Meanwhile, Grant Gibbs is still recovering from injury and hopes to get in a few games toward the end of the league’s schedule. Former Bluejay Dane Watts will not be participating this week, while Josh Dotzler is on a roster but has not participated yet. If we know more, we will add it to the comments section.
Game of the Night:
7:30 p.m. (Court 2) Narmi Group (1-1) vs. Shanks Law (1-1)
Bluejays to watch: Jahenns Manigat, Ross Ferrarini, Kenny Lawson, Doug McDermott, Kody Ingle, Casey Harriman, Matt Dorwart, Will Artino
If you want to see new Bluejays and a few Creighton veterans, this is the game to watch this week. And it is also the only game at this time slot featuring current Creighton players. Both teams have been missing players through the first two games, but I would expect that everyone scheduled for this game will show up to claim bragging rights in this one.
Other Games of Interest
8:30 p.m. (Court 1) State Farm (1-1) vs. Barley’s (2-0)
Bluejays to watch: Antoine Young, Greg Echenique(?)
Everyone is still waiting for the opportunity to see Echenique play. Will it happen this week? Watts, who has also been playing with Antoine Young on State Farm, will be absent for this game. Speaking of Young, he dropped in 35 points in Thursday’s overtime win. The veteran-filled Barley’s squad will try to continue their unbeaten ways.
8:30 p.m. (Court 2) EQ School of Hair (0-2) vs. ABIDE Ministries (1-1)
Bluejays to watch: Kaleb Korver, Wayne Runnels, Josh Dotzler(?), Nick Bahe, Pierce Hibma, Taylor Stormberg, Darryl Ashford(?)
Wayne Runnels broke out Thursday with a league leading 38 points in EQ’s thrilling loss to State Farm, but he couldn’t put his team over the top late in the game. And look for Ashford, who may be available for this game and make his summer league debut.
8:30 p.m. (Court 3) Go Gettaz (0-2) vs. Heartland Properties (0-2)
Bluejays to watch: Rodney Buford, Josh Jones (?), Ethan Wragge
Both teams are looking for a win in this one. Jones made his debut on Thursday and led Heartland with 17 points in the loss to ABIDE Ministries. On the other side, Arthur Boults and Rodney Buford are looking to lead the Go Gettaz to their first victory of the summer league season. Both of their losses have been to teams that are still undefeated (UNO Alumni and Barley’s).
Other Games
7:30 p.m. (Court 4) Bellevue Alumni (1-1) vs. Icehouse (1-1)
See several pros in this one, including Nebraska’s Jason Dourisseau and Andrew Drevo
7:30 p.m. (Court 3) McGinn Law (2-0) vs. UNO Alumni (1-1)
I’m still holding my breath to see if McGinn Law actually wears the right jerseys, or if they will continue to advertise a different place while playing under the McGinn Law name. See former Creighton Bluejay Brody Deren in action for the UNO Alumni team.
7:30 p.m. (Court 1) Bellevue University (1-1) vs. UNO (2-0)
This should be an exciting local matchup as the full rosters for both teams square off for bragging rights. Look for this one to get physical.
Look for our tweets on Twitter during the games, and read all our recaps of the action Friday.
