Jim Flanery and the Creighton women’s basketball team loaded up on difficult opponents during their recently completed non-conference schedule.
After beating Marquette during Thanksgiving weekend, the Bluejays dropped hard-fought games against Nebraska and Kansas at home and Notre Dame in South Bend. The Irish are ranked #12 in the recent ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, while both the Huskers and Jayhawks are receiving votes.
Flan’s Jays entered the last day of 2010 with a 6-5 record, but beat Drake 58-51 on New Year’s Eve to enter 2011 1-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Bluejays hit the road this weekend for two Valley games: Thursday night in Evansville and Saturday at Southern Illinois.
We caught up with the Creighton play-by-play radio announcer, Brad Burwell, to get his impressions about the 2010-11 Bluejays as Valley play gets underway.
White & Blue Review: Freshman Carli Tritz won her fourth MVC Newcomer of the Week award on Monday. Just how good has she been for Flanery’s Bluejays so far this season? What recent CU star would you compare her game to, if trying to explain Tritz’s abilities to a casual Creighton fan?
Brad Burwell: She has really added a great deal to the quickness of the team. She still is learning the college game but is so athletic and has good knowledge of the game. She actually could be compared to two players — Christy Neneman on the offensive side and Megan Neuvirth on the defensive side of the ball.
WBR: Speaking of freshmen, how have the other newcomers fared for the Bluejays so far in their first seasons at CU? Who besides Tritz stands out to you?
BB: Flan has become more trusting of his entire bench, giving them valuable minutes. Sarah Nelson has demonstrated her effectiveness on both ends of the court and has both an inside and outside game plus strong rebounding. McKenzie Fujan is learning what it takes to play at this level but shows excellent moves to the bucket. Like most young players she is still learning much about playing defense and taking care of the ball. Alyssa Kamphaus has played in spot duty but can be effective against bigger post players. Jordan Garrison just dressed for her first game against Drake due to injury, while Riley Norman is taking a medical redshirt.
WBR: Creighton has really struggled from the free throw line. What has Coach Flanery done to try and improve the team’s free throw shooting?
BB: Obviously practice, but more than that, he is trying to get his players to focus and concentrate when at the line. It paid off against Drake, as they got to the line early and often in the second half, shooting 75%. It is very important for Tritz in particular to get into the 70% range, because she is the type of player that will get there often.
WBR: According to Realtime RPI, Creighton’s strength of schedule is 29th nationally. That’s far more impressive than any other Valley team. How will a tough non-conference slate help the Bluejays in MVC play?
BB: Playing Notre Dame, Marquette, Kansas, and Nebraska allows the team to compete against a level of players that you do not see very often in the Valley with the exception of UNI and Missouri State. I think it gives them the confidence to compete and realize that they can win tight games down the stretch…Drake is a prime example.
WBR: Who do you expect to win the Valley this year? Who are the best returning players in the league?
BB: Missouri State and UNI have to be the favorites because of their returning players. Certainly, Casey Garrison at MSU is the best player in the league and she is surrounded by Jaleshia Roberson, Jasmine Malone, and many other talented role players. UNI has both Jacqui Kalin and Lizzie Boeck back from the championship team and is a well disciplined team. Illinois State is always tough. I think the key as always is defend your home court, win road games against the lower part of the league, and pull off one or two upsets against either Missouri State, Northern Iowa, or Illinois State on the road.
WBR: Creighton is 1-0 after their New Year’s Eve victory against Drake. Can the Bluejays battle for the top spot in the conference again?
BB: Depending on the above formula…yes. I really like the way Kelsey Woodard has started her senior year. She is aggressive and not just settling for the 3-point shot. She is posting up and driving to the bucket and getting to the free throw line. Sam Schuett had a break out game against Drake, so it appears she is back on track. I truly believe the key to the Jays’ hopes is how quickly the young players develop, how we control the boards, and how we improve free throw shooting. The Jays have a favorable early schedule. If they can go 8-1 or 7-2 through the halfway point, they will be in it until the end.