This is the ninth of our “Meet the Jays” segments featuring the 2009-2010 Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball players. Join us as we profile different scholarship players each day leading up to the season opener at Dayton on November 14.
Take a charge. Dive for a ball. Fight through a screen. Casey Harriman made a name for himself last season not only with his defense and rebounding, but with his toughness. He battled time after time to get position and would get physical when needed for his teammates. Though his numbers looked the same as a freshman and a sophomore, last season he made his presence known more than the stat sheet shows. Harriman relishes the role.
“Actually, I didn’t really have that role while in high school, but now, I really like it. I’m not going to lie.”
Harriman came to Creighton three seasons ago as a heralded high school star from Iowa. He twice won the state’s scoring title. Though he is a great shooter and could have potentially contributed immediately, the coaching staff and Harriman decided the best move was to give him a redshirt season. The decision helped Harriman see the game in a different light.
“It really lets you know what Coach [Dana] Altman wants and really lets you know what your role might be. It makes you a little more comfortable instead of having to come right in, and it makes you more prepared.”
Watching Harriman in the scrimmages and exhibition game against Missouri Western State, it appears he is more willing to take open shots than he might have been last season. He can score in bunches: last season at Missouri State, the Bluejays trailed by 11 at halftime and slowly chipped away at the double-digit deficit deep into the second half. With about 7 minutes to play, Harriman hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Bluejays their first lead of the game. Then a few minutes later, after MSU had cut it again to a 1-point CU lead, Harriman drilled another 3-pointer to give the Jays a 4-point cushion with 1:17 to play, a lead they would never relinquish.
Harriman has high expectations heading into the season, and he is excited about the opportunities the Bluejays have in front of them.
“I’m really excited about going to the tournament in Florida [Old Spice Classic]. We really have the opportunity to play some great teams, and of course I am excited about the conference games and to get back out there.”
Harriman will be looked upon this season to be a well-rounded player willing to do anything the coaches ask of him to help the team, whether it be shooting the ball or providing a physical presence. But his first true test this season is to get back on the court. He was absent from the exhibition game Sunday against UNO with a bout with the flu. The Bluejays need his tenacity and toughness on the road Saturday against Dayton, and it will be interesting to see if he gets well enough to play against the Flyers (and, if he does, how effective he can be).