The Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball staff will host Matt McQuaid, their top target for the 2015 class, this weekend on an official visit.
McQuaid, a 6-foot-5 guard/forward, will take his second look at Creighton. McQuaid, a dynamic shooter from Texas, was on hand last March of the Bluejays’ emotional Senior Night victory over Providence — the night that CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish called “one of the greatest sporting event’s he’s ever had the privilege to be at.” and the night Parrish’s fellow CBS Sports writer Gregg Doyle said was “Fictional. Walt Disney-esque, as if it didn’t really happen.”
So, how can McQuaid’s official stop in Omaha this weekend top his unofficial tour from last March? Greg McDermott and the Bluejays likely have a few tricks up their sleeves.
You can be sure that McQuaid and his family will be introduced to the brand new Championship Center. The state-of-the-art facility will be the launch pad the Creighton staff hopes they can build off of following the successful 2013-14 season, the school’s first in the Big East.
But doesn’t everybody have a basketball gym with iPads in the showers?
Sure. But Creighton can also introduce McQuaid to his future teammates if he chooses Creighton, highly rated and coveted guys like Ronnie Harrell, Leon Gilmore, Mo Watson, Cole Huff, and Justin Patton.
But Creighton will be nothing without Doug.
OK. But that pessimism won’t stop Doug’s dad from introducing McQuaid to Creighton’s rabid fanbase during the popular Socctoberfest inside the beautiful Morrison Stadium, immediately next door to the Championship Center. Creighton’s annual German-flavored tailgate always draws a huge crowd ready to cheer on the White & Blue.
Soccer? What about football! Other schools’ football teams can blow soccer fan support out of the water.
I guess. But isn’t that the point?
When Creighton basketball players come to any Jays sporting function they are as big of a celebrity as anyone in Omaha. Creighton basketball has the best of both worlds. It’s a program with the support of a major metro area, and the players also get the excellent educational opportunity one of the nation’s best private schools has to offer.
Creighton is not for everyone, but the ‘Shooter U’ ethos definitely fits with McQuaid’s talents. Many pundits peg McQuaid as the top shooting prospect in the country, and after losing Ethan Wragge and Doug McDermott there will certainly be open shots that need shooting. We will find out soon if the Texan is up for the challenge.
Matt McQuaid
6-foot-5
Guard/Forward
Duncanville, Texas
Team Texas AAU
Rivals: * * * * (#71)
Scout: * * * * (#71)
24/7: * * * * (#67)
ESPN: * * * * (#52)
Considering: Creighton, Michigan State, Texas, Indiana, and UNC
