Osiris Eldridge kills Creighton. It is only fitting, seeing as his name means “the Egyptian god of the dead.” Since starting his Illinois State career in 2006, the guard from Chicago has left many a Missouri Valley Conference challenger in his wake, weak from the statistical beatings imposed by the 6-3, 190 lbs. All-MVC performer.
I haven’t crunched the numbers for Eldrige’s career averages against the other Valley schools, but I find it hard to believe he has tormented any team more than Dana Altman’s Bluejays. His stats are prolific against Creighton, but the most important numbers are 5 and 2: Osiris’ ISU teams are 5-2 against Creighton, including a NCAA Tournament bid-ending obliteration of the Bluejays in last season’s MVC Tournament semifinals.
But, just for fun (or to induce convulsions on behalf of Bluejays fans everywhere), let’s take a look at Osiris’ averages during his 7-game career against Creighton (compared to his career averages):
- 18.6 points per game (13.9 ppg)
- 3.3 3-point field goals per game
- 6.7 rebounds per game (5.2 rpg)
- 2.3 assists per game (2.0 apg)
- 1.3 steals per game (1.4 spg)
He shoots 51% from the field and 56% from 3-point range against the Bluejays. He set the single-game opponent record for most 3-pointers at the Qwest Center (8; his freshman season). He owns three 20-plus point performances against the Jays, but has grabbed fewer than 6 rebounds against the Bluejays only once (again, that first game against CU his freshman season … you know, when he was too busy scoring 28 points to grab any boards).
Yet, by all accounts, you would think Eldridge, the league’s preseason player of the year, would be struggling. Sure, he put up a stinker against Evansville a few games ago (2 points on 1-7 shooting, with 1 rebound and 3 turnovers). But his shooting percentages (from the field, from long range, and from the free throw line) are all improved over last season. He’s grabbing fewer rebounds, but that’s about it: his assists and steals per game are up incrementally.
What’s my point? He’s the most fun player to watch in the conference, and Creighton fans can catch him two times in the next month. Here’s hoping those are the last two times he plays (and probably scorches) Creighton in his career. He has been deadly against all comers in the Arch Madness tournament since his freshman season: in 7 MVC Tournament games, Eldridge’s averaging 16.3 points and 6 rebounds per game, with appearances (and losses) in back-to-back championship tilts.
According to numerous websites, the origins of the name “Osiris” are a mystery. Eldridge’s impact on Creighton-Illinois State games is not. If the Bluejays can escape Normal with a win Wednesday, they’ll have to get past one of the better players in recent MVC history, someone who has single-handedly killed the Jays in the past.