It is Arch Madness time! The Creighton Bluejays head to St. Louis to defend their MVC Tournament Championship this weekend. After winning their first outright MVC regular season championship since 2001, adding the conference tournament title would be the cherry on top.
Along with the hardcore fans, television analysts have been watching the Jays as well. Probably the guy that has seen Creighton the most behind the TV cameras is ESPN (and for this weekend, Fox Sports Net) analyst Mark Adams. Adams has been following the MVC all season and has been on the majority of the national television broadcasts.
When he isn’t travelling the nation giving motivational speeches, he is watching a college basketball game in person or giving his feedback on Twitter. He will be on the broadcast teams for the Arch Madness television broadcasts. He took some time to give his thoughts on Creighton, the MVC Tournament, and the potential conference changes.
White & Blue Review: You were part of the announcing team that covered the Creighton/Wichita State game last Saturday. Where would you rate that in the games you have covered over the past several years regarding the performance, atmosphere, and everything at stake?
Mark Adams: First of all, I had the greatest 41 hours ever as I called the Gonzaga at BYU game in Provo Thursday night and then the Wichita State @ Creighton game Saturday afternoon. There were so many memories that it is hard to put it all into perspective but here goes.
Gonzaga was the sitting #1 team in the country with the earlier Indiana loss last week. So here I am in Provo calling the #1 team in the country! I coached out west for a majority of my career so throughout the game I was getting texts and e-mails from former players and coaching friends.
The Marriott Center at BYU holds about 22,000 and it was filled to the rafters and the loudest place I had ever been. Gonzaga won a thriller and BTW, Kelly Olynyk is really good!
Then after 4 hours of sleep I fly in on Friday and got to Omaha just in time to watch Creighton’s practice. Doug was moving so hard without the ball and Austin Chatman was off the charts in practice. I sensed in practice that the Bluejays were going to win. Their preparation was so on point.
I talked to Doug the morning of the game and we had a nice visit. If you can’t tell I really like him as a person. I’ve rebounded for him before practice which is one of my common practices to get to know players better. I won’t get into our private conversation that morning but I will tell you that I shared with him how much as a father I had enjoyed watching him play for his Dad.
Prior to the game I did a short interview with Gregg Marshall and Greg McDermott. I’ve been friends with Gregg Marshall for a long time. I know Bluejay fans aren’t crazy about him but he is always great to me. I asked him about Wichita’s success in stopping Doug other than the last game in Wichita. Gregg always gives straight answers and he and I kind of came up the ranks together, me as a broadcaster and Gregg as a coach. He’s a good friend.
Then I interviewed Greg McDermott. Before that interview we were just talking and I shared that as a father I so admire how he and Doug have pulled off this whole father/son thing and as coach/player. He shared with me that they drove together to the game and they talked about what a great ride this has been for both of them. It was really special to hear about that conversation and ride. (Note- don’t read between the lines here. There was and is no NBA decision one way or the other)
The game itself was so awesome. I got to sit and watch history in the best seat in the house. I love the Valley and feel I have a responsibility to bring value to the fans watching. I sure hope my game rose to the level of the game itself. I tried to stay out of the way, I also tried to capture the moment. Late in the game I said, “Witness History”. It wasn’t canned. That is just the way it felt at that time.
So, to answer your original question the combination of the two games was the absolute highlite of my broadcasting career. My thanks to all of the great fans and the students I met before the game for making me feel so welcome.
WBR: What makes the MVC Tournament so unique compared to the other conference tournaments?
MA: Pretty simple. First, it has a great name, ARCH MADNESS. Then there is the great fan support as the arena is loud and has energy. Many neutral site tournament venues lack the volume of fans and in game volume, period. The Valley administation led by Doug Elgin really gets it! This tournament is so well run. I am honored to call this tournament. It is a big deal!
WBR: From all the games you have seen this season in the Valley, which teams have impressed you the most heading into the Tournament?
MA: Let me start with all of them! From first to last there is a success story. From SIU winning 6 of their last 8 and three in a row to Creighton which just won the regular season title on Saturday, there is a success story from 1 thru 10. I have no clue who is going to win this thing.
Bradley is the 6th most improved team by wins over last season in the country at +9. And, they steal the ball 9.5 times/game #8 NCAA.
Drake can drain three’s with the best of them as they are #7 in the NCAA in three’s made and #18 in 3pt FG% at 38.9%.
Evansville is a top 10 assist team and they have one of the hottest players in the country right now in Colt Ryan. Over the last 9 games Colt has averaged 25.6PPG!
Illinois State has been hot, cold and then hot again and then cold again. With Jackie Carmichael and Tyler Brown the Redbirds could win it.
Missouri State is the 7th youngest team in the country but boast the highest scoring frosh in the Valley with Marcus Marshall. Plus, they rarely turn it over #5 NCAA averaging only 10.2 TO’s/game.
UNI is #8 NCAA with a team 76.4% FT. The Panthers rarely foul and they can guard.
And then there is Wichita State that is coming off of two tough losses and will have a serious chip on their shoulder. The Shockers are one of the nation’s best rebounding teams #8 NCAA rebound margin at +8.1RPG and such a stingy defensive team.
This might look like an easy way out but I’m impressed with every team in different ways.
WBR: Who is your MVC all-first team?
MA: I’m going to let others decide that…
WBR: Watching Doug McDermott, do you think he should come back for his senior season? What does he need to improve on before going to the NBA?
MA: For my own selfish reasons I would like to see him come back. It will come down to where he is projected in the draft but I hope he pulls a Grant Hill and returns. Doug can get bigger and stronger and improve on his passing skills and attack off the dribble handle. He also needs to continue to improve defensively.
WBR: How many teams do you think the MVC gets into the NCAA Tournament and in the postseason in general?
MA: 2 maybe 3 NCAA, total of 5 in NCAA/NIT combined.
WBR: With the changing landscape of college sports, do you think Creighton should go to the “Catholic 7” group to reform the Big East if they have the opportunity, or should they continue to carry the torch in the MVC?
MA: This might come under the heading of Be Careful What You Wish For. Look, I think Creighton can compete but is it the best thing for the student-athletes especially outside of the charter flight sport/sports? I’m kind of an old school guy and I think students first. I understand the attraction of joining the Big East but I also see the pitfalls of more money to raise, more travel, more expense, more unrealistic expectations, more greed, more temptation to cheat. The other fact many miss is this…are Providence, Seton Hall, DePaul, St John’s better than the average Valley team? Again, I get the attraction but is it really worth it? I’m not so sure.
WBR: What is your final prediction? Who do you see walking away as the MVC Tournament Champion?
MA: IF and I mean IF!!! Creighton gets the type of play they got from Austin Chatman on Saturday I like their chances but their margin for error is razor thin. See the positives for every single team listed above to see why I see a wide open ARCH MADNESS!
MA: Lastly. I want to thank all of the Creighton fans and the MVC fans all over for watching all season long. I’m sure some like me and then there are the others who don’t and I get that. But, I want to thank all of you for watching. It is my great honor to tell the stories and explain the happenings of Valley basketball each week. I sincerely hope you enjoyed the season as much as I have enjoyed bringing it to you on ESPN. Thanks again!!!