I mean, what do you say? The biggest crowd in Creighton basketball history watched Doug McDermott score a career-high 45 points, pushing him past 3,000 career points in the process and avenging a previous loss to Providence. The Bluejays beat the Friars 88-73 and sent seniors McDermott, Grant Gibbs, Jahenns Manigat, and Ethan Wragge out on a winning note in their final home game in front of a boisterous Bluejays fanbase appreciative of everything the four gentlemen have accomplished during their years on the Hilltop. With the win Creighton finished the home portion of their schedule without a loss, the first time the Bluejays have gone undefeated at home since 2002-03 — the last year at the Civic Auditorium.
I’m spent. Last night was crazy. I leave in a few days for New York City, for my first (and Creighton’s first) Big East Tournament. I can’t imagine anything being more special to a life-long Bluejays fan than last night. Actually, I take that back. There’s plenty more to come in what’s been the most amazing year of Creighton hoops I’ve ever experienced. Maybe a championship at Madison Square Garden? Perhaps a deep run during the Big Dance? All I know for sure is that I’ll never forget — or take for granted — what I witnessed last night and during the past four seasons. No Creighton fans could, should, or would.
Creighton, by the Computers
- #7 NCAA Official RPI (no update from 03/07)
- #7 Warren Nolan RPI (no change from 03/08)
- #9 KenPom (no change from 03/08)
- #11 ESPN BPI (+2 from 03/08)
Bracketing the Bluejays
- #3 via Tim Krueger’s bracket
- #3 (3.20 average) via Bracket Matrix
Race for the Prize, Madison Square Garden Edition
Here’s the 2014 Big East Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket. After yesterday’s action, all seedings are set.
The Bluejays will play in the third quarterfinal game of the day on Thursday, against the winner of the previous day’s Georgetown-DePaul matchup. If it’s the Bluejays and Blue Demons I’ll be shocked. Meanwhile, Xavier and Marquette are on Creighton’s side of the tournament bracket. That leaves Villanova, the tournament’s top seed, to fend off Butler, Seton Hall, St. John’s, and Providence in the Wildcats’ attempt to win the regular season and tournament championships.
CU Stat o’ the Day
309
That’s the number of three-point makes the Bluejays have this season, breaking the single-season program record set last season.
Jahenns Manigat’s three with 2:27 to play in the first half tied the record. Austin Chatman’s triple with just a few minutes gone in the second half gave this Creighton team the record. And while McDermott’s three-pointer with 11:30 to play in the second half gave the best player in Creighton history a magical 3,001 points, it also built on a school record that will continue to grow in the next few weeks.
The Jays are second in the nation in made threes per game at 10.3.
What to Watch Today
Wichita State vs. Indiana State (1:05 CT, CBS)
The Shockers and Sycamores meet in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship game. WSU is 33-0 and looks to enter the NCAA Tournament undefeated. THAT’S INSANE. Gregg Marshall’s team is also trying to win an Arch Madness title for the first time in school history. That’s pretty remarkable, too.
Today in Bluejays Basketball History
March 9, 2003 — Creighotn 70, Wichita State 69
Jays fans everywhere remember where they were when Dana Altman’s team thoroughly embarrassed Southern Illinois in the 2003 MVC Tournament championship game. But that epic CU win wouldn’t have happened without a double-digit comeback in the semifinal against the Shockers the day before.
Trailing 40-30 at halftime, the Bluejays clawed back to take the lead with about 90 seconds to play. But WSU had the ball down two with 34 seconds left, facing a chance to tie or take the lead. That’s when DeAnthony Bowden snuck behind Randy Burns and poked the ball to CU teammate Larry House. House would convert a dunk after calling a timeout, and the Jays would escape with a victory.
Creighton Hoops Photo of the Day
Speaking of games on March 9, last year on this date Creighton thoroughly dismantled Indiana State in the 2013 MVC semifinal. Here’s a shot of Gregory Echenique thoroughly destroying a rim against the overmatched Sycamores.
Gregory Echenique gets nasty on a rim at Scottrade Center (WBR/Adam Streur)