College basketball officially begins Friday, October 12. In the days leading up to Creighton’s Bluejay Madness event, we’ll try to pose (and answer) some of the most pressing questions surrounding the 2012-2013 Creighton men’s basketball team.
#10: How well will Austin Chatman replace Antoine Young?
#9: Can Creighton handle being the hunted?
#8: How will the minutes shake out?
#7 What will the newcomers bring to this team?
Yesterday I pondered the question of playing time. Specifically, how will the coaches divvy up the minutes vacated by Antoine Young and last year’s departed walk-ons among the returning and new members of the Creighton men’s basketball team? With about 30 minutes per game up for grabs, there’s limited time to offer. That’s the exception, rather than the rule — consider next season, when Greg McDermott and his staff will need to replace the minutes Grant Gibbs, Gregory Echenique, and Josh Jones leave behind.*
Aside from returners who want more minutes, there is a host of newcomers looking to establish themselves with some playing time. Each fresh face as something unique to offer, but all of them are fighting to see the court.
Let’s start with the redshirts. Geoffery Groselle is 7-feet tall. According to Creighton Sports Information Director Rob Anderson, he’s only the fifth Bluejay seven-footer in history. And if you believe the team’s website (why wouldn’t we?), at 250 lbs. Groselle trails only Echenique as the strongest post player on the roster.
Geoff Groselle (#23) spent last year redshirting. He’ll back up Gregory Echenique in 2012-2013 (Adam Streur/WBR)
Groselle cut his teeth training against Echenique, Will Artino, and Doug McDermott day in and day out last season, adding strength and learning the finer points and fast pace of the collegiate game. He averaged 5.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in four games during the team’s trip to the Bahamas last summer, and he led the Jays with 10 blocked shots during the exhibitions.
Nevin Johnson is ready to play defense. The athletic swing guard/forward from Houston is 6-5, 200 lbs. He spent his redshirt season improving his three-point shot, hoping to give himself a counter when defenders try to take away his natural slashing ability and his pull-up jumper. But among Creighton’s crowded backcourt and his fellow Bluejays on the wings, Johnson can carve into playing time by being the consistent, energetic defensive stopper CU has missed in recent seasons. He can get to the hoop; he took 15 free throws in the Bahamas last summer, second most on the team. If he can keep others from doing the same, he could find himself on the floor during crucial defensive possessions.
Speaking of redshirts, will one of the team’s true freshmen find themselves sitting out 2012-2013? Coach Mac sat Groselle and Johnson last season. Two years ago, he put a redshirt on Artino and pondered one for Doug McDermott — who went on to have one of the best freshman seasons in CU hoops history. But there are reasons that this year’s incoming freshmen will battle for playing time instead of watching from the pine.
Andre Yates is one of the team’s two natural point guards on scholarship. With one season of experience running the point at times, Austin Chatman is in line to assume most of Young’s minutes. Gibbs is the best facilitator to return, but does most of his damage from the off-guard spot. Yates, a 6-0, 185-lbs. lefty from Ohio, could offer depth at the point.
Isaiah Zierden can shoot. From anywhere. He joins a crowded backcourt, and at 6-2 and 175 lbs. he is working to get stronger and adapt to college hoops. But his shooting ability and his athleticism aren’t in question. He surprised some CU fans with his all-around game during summer league competition; most I spoke with expected a deft shooting touch but not much else as a newcomer.
The walk-ons got some minutes here and there last season. Mo Oginni (6-8/220 lbs.) and Alex Olsen (6-6/190 lbs.) both redshirted as freshmen non-scholarship players in 2011-2012, and they return hoping to see the court along with vet walk-on Taylor Stormberg and senior walk-on Joe Kelling, who is also new to the roster.
Creighton’s roster is full of known commodities. Jays fans are curious about these newcomers and what they bring to the table. Tis’ the season for seeing how their roles develop!
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* And, potentially, Doug McDermott’s playing time next season may be up for grabs. GULP.