Creighton’s preseason trip to the Bahamas gives the Bluejays five exhibition games against teams from the Caribbean. More importantly, the NCAA allows teams participating in such tournaments 10 practices ahead of the games.
Those extra practices may not seem like much, but they offer Greg McDermott and his staff the chance to teach and evaluate four freshmen and a redshirt transfer. Selfishly, these practices also allow us at WBR to stop by the Old Gym and catch an early glimpse of the 2011-2012 Creighton men’s basketball team. Here are a few things that stuck out at practice Friday.
- Ethan Wragge has put on some weight, and I mean that in a good way. After taking a medical redshirt because of foot and leg problems, the third year sophomore has added muscle to his 6’7” frame. And if Summer League games are any indication, he remains deadly from outside, giving the Jays a chance to stretch defenses with his perimeter shooting. If his defense catches up to his offense, he’ll be in good shape.
- Austin Chatman is one fast freshman. Once the petite point guard gets his feet moving, defenders can’t keep up. He has a quick jump shot he can pull off mid-sprint, taking defenses off guard. Hopefully he can pick up the playbook as quickly as he can get up and down the floor.
- The only thing that can keep Grant Gibbs from being a floor general is staying out on the court. Injuries plague the transfer from Gonzaga, but if he can get right physically he’ll bring a great attitude and savvy feel for the game to both ends for the Bluejays. He was visibly focused during the entire practice, sporting a look of determination along with a feel for where the coaches want him and his teammates to be. If we can avoid the injury bug, he should make an instant impact on this year’s Jays.
- Although inexperienced, Will Artino and Geoffrey Groselle offer McDermott a nice one-two punch to back up Gregory Echenique. Artino can finish around the rim in a multitude of ways, and he looks increasingly comfortable facing up or backing in. Groselle is strong for an incoming freshman post player, and he’ll have to be; there isn’t much qualified support for Echenique. But all three post players have differing abilities and talents, something that should create some match-up problems in the Valley as they grow comfortable in their roles.
The Bluejays leave for the Bahamas late next week. We’ll catch up with Creighton before the Jays take off.
