Sometimes you just know when you see a leader. Whether it is in the work place, the classroom or in this case on the basketball court. After Monday’s game against Western Illinois, it is obvious that Creighton fans, including myself, have anointed Gregory Echenique the leader of this year’s Creighton basketball team.
I didn’t get a chance to see Gregory play in his debut on Saturday night other than watching the TV broadcast of the game in the wee hours on Sunday night, which probably didn’t give him justice. Seeing Gregory in action on Monday night helped me realize the excitement fans were waiting for and he brings an energy to this team and to the crowd in attendance that has been missing the past few seasons.
It was pretty apparent in the second half of the game against Western Illinois when there was a scramble on the floor between several players but remaining in the pack was Echenique and Western Illinois’ Matt Lander as the action went to the other end of the court. Lander appeared to be holding big Gregory on the ground and I saw his hands push him to the ground as Echenique tried to get up. The crowd went nuts and Coach McDermott went nuts, but nothing was called on the play.
Who knocked off Gregory's glasses?
When people feel passionate about certain things, they make it known and for the rest of the night, Matt Lander knew that he messed with the wrong guy. With one of the smaller crowds of the season, the fans made it known that they were not happy with the way Lander was messing with Echenique and there were loud boos in the crowd every time Lander touched the ball for the rest of the game. There was also a scary situation late in the game where he appeared to undercut Antoine Young as well.
WIU was projected as a defensive team, and their focus on Monday night was to be physical against the Creighton post players, and the referees had no problem swallowing their whistles. Kenny Lawson and Gregory Echenique did hold their own though and combined for 26 of the Creighton 60 points as the Bluejays walked away with a hard fought victory. The Leathernecks were able to hold Creighton to pretty close to their season average opponent scoring and shooting percentages, but it wasn’t enough. The Bluejays should get a lot of credit for grinding out that win.
Antoine Young was key in the game with his timely assists and choosing his spots to make baskets. Young became the first Creighton player since Josh Dotzler in 2005 to have five or more assists in four straight games. His leadership on the court is key to get the offense running and getting the ball down low to Lawson and Echenique.
It is obvious that Young is the player’s leader on the court, but for now, fans are in love with Echenique and his presence on the court. The block that went into the second or third row behind the Western Illinois bench. The huge dunk while being fouled. The knack for getting to the free throw line. There have been expectations in the past with players like P’Allen Stinnett, Chad Millard, and even Brice Nengsu. Even though it is early, it appears Echenique wants the challenges and expectations.
There are great opportunities for the Bluejays heading into the conference season. While the players ride the back of Antoine Young, the fans will ride on the back of Gregory Echenique. He has met the expectations well through the first two games of his Creighton career. I would bet that the crowds will get bigger as the season goes on to see the new spark of excitement in Creighton basketball.