The Creighton Bluejays basketball team is getting into a rhythm in conference play, with every other game being at home and then on the road. After their win over Northern Iowa on Tuesday night, Creighton hits the road to take on Illinois State before returning home to host Southern Illinois on Sunday.
With this being the first meeting of the season against Illinois State, we enlisted Jim Benson from The Pantagraph to give us a little insight on the Redbirds and what to expect in Friday night’s 8 p.m. game.
White & Blue Review: Illinois State is a young team with no seniors. How are they maturing as a team? Are the supporters happy with what Tim Jankovich has been doing?
Jim Benson: The Redbirds seem to be coming along well, especially in the last couple weeks, in that category. They had a bad stumble at Southern Illinois on Jan. 1. It was a very lackluster effort, easily the worst effort by a Jankovich team I have seen in his five seasons as coach. It looked like ISU just thought they could walk on the court and handle the Salukis. Yet it might end up being the most important game of the season. The Redbirds found out they need to come ready to play every game, no matter the opponent’s record. They bounced back and won at Missouri State a couple days later.
As far as supporters of Jankovich, there are a segment of fans at every school who are never happy and never will be. Many here are still upset about the schedule. It has improved this season and I believe will continue to in the future. They have added a home-and-home against Northwestern in 2014 and 2015, which is a good sign. Many whined about losing at home in December to then winless UNC-Wilmington. Well, the Seahawks have played well since beating ISU and aren’t a bad team.
WBR: Jackie Carmichael appears to be the leader for the Redbirds. How has his game evolved from last season to this season?
JB: Jackie definitely is more aggressive this season. He seems to be playing more with a chip on his shoulder. In the past, when his offense wasn’t there early in the game, he seemed to drift away on both ends. There was a hint of that at Southern Illinois. Not sure if he woke up on the wrong side of the bed that day or what. But against Wichita State on Tuesday, [Garrett] Stutz blocked a couple of Jackie’s shots. Jackie still stayed aggressive. He only scored nine points, but grabbed 13 rebounds. One rebound late in the game he basically took away from Carl Hall. Wichita State people said they hadn’t seen that all season.
WBR: One of the criticisms of Illinois State the past few years has been their non-conference schedule. What things are being done to improve the non-conference schedule and does it get them prepared enough right now for conference play.
JB: As I stated above, they have the thing with Northwestern scheduled and are slated to play in the South Padre Island Invitational next year. I don’t see them ever taking a guarantee game or a 2-for-1. Jankovich is opposed to that and I believe new AD Gary Friedman is, too. Where I would like to see ISU go is like Creighton. Get home-and-home with good mid-majors like Tulsa and Saint Joseph’s. We’ll see. But as I said above, UNC-Wilmington wasn’t a bad opponent, although many thought so at that time. I think their non-con this season was what this team needed. Next season’s team will need to be challenged more.
WBR: Besides Carmichael, who does Creighton need to keep an eye on?
JB: The biggest difference in ISU this season is the guards. Last season, the Redbirds had one of the worst set of guards in the country. They have corrected that. Juco transfer Tyler Brown is very athletic and capable of getting his own shot whenever he wants. Freshman point guard Nic Moore has the poise of a junior or senior. He is a great passer. Some of his passes haven’t resulted in assists because teammates weren’t ready for them. They have adjusted as the season has gone on. Not only that, Moore isn’t afraid to take big shots. He will be the MVC Freshman of the Year. If not, there should be an investigation.
WBR: Illinois State was down by almost 20 points against Wichita State on Tuesday night and then rallied to take the game down to the wire. What were the major differences between the two halves of basketball for the Redbirds?
JB: Moore had two fouls in the first half and sat out about the last 14 minutes. Then he was held out the first seven minutes of the second half before scoring 20 points in the last 13 minutes. That was one difference. The other was the defense that Bryant Allen put on Joe Ragland. The Wichita State senior was killing ISU in the first half. Allen slowed him down, which in turn slowed down the Shockers. Allen is a transfer from Minnesota who was going to play two sports at ISU. He was kicked off the football team in August and now is strictly a basketball player. He gives the Redbirds energy and a defender who gets in an opponent’s jersey better than any perimeter defender at ISU since Boo Richardson four years ago.
WBR: With the challenges posed by conference play, how are the Redbirds from a health and injury perspective?
JB: So far, so good. Jon Ekey sprained his ankle against Evansville last Saturday and sat out most of the second half. He wore a brace against Wichita State and looked pretty mobile, playing 30 minutes. He should be in even better shape for Friday.
WBR: What kinds of things do you think Illinois State will employ to try and contain Doug McDermott? Will they play straight up or will they challenge the other Bluejays to beat them?
JB: I would think they would try to play him straight up as much as possible with Ekey and John Wilkins getting the assignment. Both have the length to counter McDermott inside. Ekey is probably better equipped to stay with Doug on the perimeter and not get beat off the dribble. I would think Ekey, if completely healthy, would start on Doug with Wilkins also getting much of the assignment.
WBR: For those making the trip to the Bloomington/Normal area for the first time, where would people want to stop before they go to the game?
JB: A good, and pretty cheap, place to eat right near Redbird Arena is Avantis. Might not be too crowded on Friday with the students still on break here. The Gondolas are very good. I usually go for the grilled ham and cheese or, if really hungry, spaghetti. Can’t go wrong with anything on menu. If anyone needs a liquid refreshment with a burger, I would suggest Pub II, right off campus and short drive from RA.
WBR: What is your final prediction? Can the Redbirds disrupt the roll the Bluejays are on?
JB: The Redbirds can definitely win this game. Will they? I’m calling it … drum roll … Creighton 70, Illinois State 69. The Bluejays would be advised not to let Jackie Carmichael put up a three-ball at the buzzer. Ask Evansville. Of course, lightning never strikes twice in the same place, right?