Creighton got their feet back under them with a 30-point road win over Southern Illinois on Sunday. They salvaged a game during their three-game road trip. CU returns to the CenturyLink Center for a Wednesday night matchup with Missouri State.
In Springfield, Doug McDermott went off in the second half, scoring 28 of his 39 points. He seemed unstoppable against the Bears, no matter the defense. It will be interesting to see how MSU adjusts to McDermott this time.
To get a little more info on Missouri State heading into this game, we caught up again with Lyndal Scranton of the Springfield News-Leader. He had some great information to share last time and here is what he had to say heading into this game:
White & Blue Review: Missouri State lost four in a row after starting out 3-1 in conference play. What changed during that streak?
Lyndal Scranton: The Bears broke a four-game losing streak with a win over Drake on Sunday. That was much-needed for the team’s confidence as, even though they were playing competitive basketball during the losing streak, the young group needed some tangible success to feel good about. During the losing streak, the team actually played as well as it had in the 3-1 start to Valley play. It just happened to have to play Creighton and Wichita State at home, along with competitive road losses to Indiana State and Bradley.
WBR: How are fans handling the Missouri State struggles this season? Do they have the patience to see how this turns out in the long run?
LS: The four wins in Valley play have done wonders to calm the nerves of fans who had ventured out onto the proverbial ledge during nonconference play. They’re seeing a team that’s playing hard and showing progress and, for most fans, that’s good enough for this year as most see that the foundation is being put into place for anticipated future success.
WBR: On the injury front, how is everyone doing? Will everyone be available for this game?
LS: Starting center Christian Kirk missed the Drake game with concussion symptoms. He’s day-to-day. Everyone else seems good to go for this game.
WBR: Who has been playing the best for Missouri State right now?
LS: Anthony Downing, the team’s lone senior, continues to be rock solid. He matched his career high with 26 points against Drake. Freshman Gavin Thurman is this week’s Valley newcomer of the week after averaging 15 points in two games last week. He’s averaging 13.5 over his last five games and has made great strides over the past three weeks.
WBR: With the young players that have played so many minutes right now, how is their confidence? Have you seen them improve as the season has progressed?
LS: The confidence level is growing. Marcus Marshall and Gavin Thurman are two freshmen who will be building blocks over the next four years. Marshall missed the first game against Creighton with the flu and a sprained ankle. He’s been pretty solid from day one. Thurman has made big strides of late. Freshman Dorrian Williams also has shown some good signs at point guard.
WBR: Doug McDermott had a spectacular second half in Springfield. What will the Bears do to try and stop him this time?
LS: No idea. They can choose to double team him. But as other teams attempting that strategy have discovered, that means someone else steps up and negates that strategy.
WBR: After watching Doug McDermott the first time in Springfield, do you think he is an NBA pick after this season or would it be good for him to come back for his senior season?
LS: I think Doug would be a draft choice this year. Not sure he’s going to go in the lottery and, if not, I think it would be wise for him to come back for his senior season. He seems like the type of young man who savors the college experience. What could be better than playing on a top-25 team, for your dad? If he’s good enough for the NBA, that will be there a year down the road.
WBR: What is your final prediction? What will Missouri State have to do to pull out an upset on Wednesday night?
LS: I think a realistic outcome for the Bears would be keeping it closer than the 22-point margin of defeat earlier this month in Springfield. Whatever the outcome it’s another night of on-the-job training for a young team that coach Paul Lusk thinks will benefit this program a year from now.