Christian Bishop with some nice finishes during practice today (Spomer / WBR)
Practice officially got underway for the 2019-20 season as Greg McDermott kicked off his 10th year at Creighton to begin preparing his team for an overseas trip to Australia that begins in three and a half weeks. Fundamentals were the order of the day to help integrate four newcomers to the team. That provided plenty of teaching moments for coaches and returning players alike. It was notable how often a question from a coach was greeted with a response from several veteran voices to help instill some belief in what the team is doing in a particular drill.
On the defensive side of things, the Bluejays worked on closeouts, gap principles, post defense, and footwork on ball screens. They even did their famous charge drill on day one. That really got the juices flowing among the older members of the team (switch on your sarcasm detectors for that one).
Observations from 5-on-5:
- Grad transfer Kelvin Jones impressed the coaching staff early with a strong hard hedge on a ball screen, then a recovery to the rim to alter a shot by sophomore big man Christian Bishop. That sequence was a staple of Creighton’s defensive turnaround during the second half of last season, and Jones will be one of the guys in line to replace the key to that tactic with Martin Krampelj now in the professional ranks. Later on, when it looked like Jones had emptied the tank, assistant coach Paul Lusk instructed him to get a breather. Jones propped straight and said, “I’ve got one more.” That drew cheers from some of the other players on the court.
- Freshman point guard Shereef Mitchell had a nifty flip back pass on the move against a hard double team on the perimeter that led to an open corner three after an extra pass from his receiver. He’s already earned a reputation for his defensive chops (yes, it’s too early for “Shereefense,” but it’s loaded and in the holster for when that day arrives), but his ability to make the simple play on offense will go a long way towards helping him stay on the court this season.
- Sophomore forward Christian Bishop grabbed an offensive rebound over Jones and finished the possession with a baseline drive punctuated by a slick up and under reverse layup off the glass.
- Junior guard Mitch Ballock stole the show on day one with a one-handed tip dunk in traffic. If you’re wondering how the new strength and conditioning program is working out so far, that’s a play you can point to, because it was an eye-opener.
Q&A with a Bluejay: Senior guard Jordan Scurry
Jordan Scurry is always smiling on the court. (Spomer / WBR)
Q: Since you’re a senior let’s start there, what does all that comes with being a veteran on this team entail in your mind every day?
A: I think it means bringing ‘it’ more consistently. Every year I’ve worked to be more consistent at everything. Whether it’s the drills and making sure you do them right the first time, or making sure you’re setting an example. Being consistent with everything has been something that I’ve tried to improve on every year, and now in my last year it’s the thing I have to be the best at. I have to be one of the most consistent guys day in and day out at practice, and bring all of the things I’ve always brought like energy, enthusiasm, experience, knowing where to be defensively and offensively. Little stuff like that.
Q: What is the biggest indicator to you that this group has been together for years?
A: I think the biggest tell is that we have guys who know the system works. Guys wouldn’t be speaking up and helping the newcomers if we didn’t believe it works. I even caught myself at one point today trying to talk over a coach because I know the stuff works. When you’re telling new dudes you kind of get overzealous about it and coaches are telling them these same things because they know it works — we’ve seen it in games. That’s my biggest thing that I’ve tried to tell the new guys is I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t … it’s been easy to speak up and get guys to listen to you because of having gone through it.
Q: How much potential does this team have because of that experience and because of the practices you have here?
A: I’m really excited, because even when we were getting up and down a little bit there at the end — I mean, with some of this stuff there is that learning curve just because we haven’t all played together that way yet — it’s going to be really fun when it starts clicking. There is a lot to be excited about. It was really fun to get the new guys on page with what we do, how we like to play, how we like to push. Stuff that guys were maybe in their heads about a little bit. I think once that all comes together it’s going to be fun. This group more than any other group each guys knows what they are bringing to the table, and I think everyone is really confident in that. I think that’s what is going to help us. It’s just a matter of getting it to click. Once we get there we’ll be good.
Q: What are your thoughts on the new strength and conditioning regime you guys have been going through so far?
A: I like it a lot. I like the professionalism of it. We’re trying to take it more seriously and we’re trying to take care of our bodies a little bit better. Just being accountable in that way is something they’ve really stressed to us. Jeremy is great. All of the stuff he is teaching us is with purpose … he speaks with such conviction and knows all of the stuff that he’s doing can pay off for us. Us just buying into that and making it a part of our culture has been good. I’m excited to see what it will actually do for all of us. I’m excited to see if it makes guys bigger, and for me if it just makes me feel better over a longer period of time.
As of right now we can’t really tell yet since we’re only three or four weeks in. Once we get a month or month and a half into, especially with all of the running and playing added on, it will really start to make itself out to be what it is.
Q: In a few weeks the game of basketball is going to take you to Australia, what are you most looking forward to about this trip?
A: I’ve never been there, but my mom lived in Australia for four years. She came back here and then within two years she was pregnant with me. Crazy story. I have an uncle who lives out there that I haven’t seen since I was 10 years old, so I’m going to see him for the first time in 12 years. I’m really excited for that. That’s just a little family connection, but I’m excited to see a new country and be able to play basketball there. It’s the only thing I can really say has taken me all the way across the world. It’s taken me to so many places and I’m just very grateful.