Trips to SIU Arena haven’t always been very great for the Korver family. Back in the Kyle Korver days, the Saluki fans had a lot of hatred for Kyle and his Bluejay teammates. I’m sure his parents heard more four letter words than they want to remember. At the same time some of those games were classics.
Fast forward to Kaleb Korver and his performances against Southern Illinois in his Creighton career at SIU Arena. As a freshman, he only logged 5 minutes in a game where Creighton only scored 44 points. In his sophomore year, he played 20 minutes and scored 14 points. Last year, Korver played 16 minutes and scored 2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. However, in his senior season, his play tonight gets to be in the classic category.
Korver walked away with 14 points and 8 rebounds, but it was a key three pointer towards the end of regulation as the shot clock was running out and a shot clock buzzer beater three pointer in overtime that sealed Creighton’s comeback Friday night in their 72-66 win in overtime against Southern Illinois.
Fans have questioned Korver’s play on the court, especially in the scoring column. But what they have failed to see is the defense he has been playing against opponent’s best players and dishing out assists and grabbing rebounds. With the scoring that came in this game, it appears that Korver has come full circle finding what many people have been looking for the past couple of seasons. With the inconsistency at the wing position this season, Korver can help solidify that part of the offense and open up things even more for Gregory Echenique, Kenny Lawson and Doug McDermott.
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Head coach Greg McDermott switched things up a little bit tonight with a new starting lineup of Antoine Young, Kaleb Korver, Doug McDermott, Kenny Lawson and Gregory Echenique. In the loss against Missouri State on Tuesday night, I wished that we saw more of McDermott, Lawson and Echenique on the court together. We got a chance to see that tonight. Unfortunately in the first half, Creighton was 6-0f-20 from the field, 5-of-11 at the charity stripe, 1-of-7 from three point land and had 7 turnovers. Not a very encouraging half of play and there were obvious effects from the second half breakdown against Missouri State heading to the locker room down 7.
However, the second half was totally different and Creighton rallied to make things a game. Antoine Young did not have one of his better nights going 3-of-11 from the field, but he kept carrying the Bluejays on his shoulders and driving to the basket trying to make plays. With his free throw shooting, he was able to garner 13 points, playing the ironman 44 of 45 minutes. Echenique looked good in his first start just missing a double-double, but leading the team with 16 points and 9 rebounds while also getting a couple nice looking dunks.
Darryl Ashford came off the bench to hit some great shots down the stretch including an acrobatic layup with just a little over 3 minutes remaining and then hitting two out of three free throws after being fouled on a three point shot to give the Bluejays a lead late in regulation. Doug McDermott also hit big shots including a three pointer to start the late rally.
The story of tonight–a total team effort. The effort that was missing on Tuesday night. The effort that is needed to have a chance to be a contender in the conference. The effort Creighton fans can appreciate.
Creighton now takes the two hour bus ride over to Evansville to take on the Purple Aces on Sunday afternoon. Although Evansville isn’t having a great season, the Bluejays have had troubles there in the past. If they can walk away with a win there, that will setup a nice showdown in Omaha when Wichita State comes to town.
It always feels good to beat your rival. For the Saluki’s, I am betting they are kicking themselves for letting this one slip away. However, they will have to wait for over a month before they come back to Omaha to look to exact some revenge. But by that time, Southern Illinois may have more to worry about than the trip to Omaha.
