Since practice began on October 3, the Bluejays have been building toward their lone exhibition game on November 6 against Upper Iowa. With that game looming, the intensity has increased this week at practice, from both players and coaches. The week began with the annual “Secret Scrimmage”, which this year took place in Columbia, MO against a rebuilding Mizzou squad. Our friends at Bluejay Banter reported that the Jays won by nearly 30 points, thanks to a balanced scoring attack, though officially no stats or final score can be made public.
When the team got back to Omaha, they got right back to work on the practice court. Here’s a rundown of what’s happened this week, thanks to tweets from WBR’s Matt DeMarinis and others who have been present. And if you’ve missed our three previous practice updates, get caught up on Week One, Week Two, and and Week Three here.
Monday, October 26
Today’s @BluejayMBB practice starting off with a film session.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 26, 2015
The guys are back from watching film and warming up. pic.twitter.com/AN7Xeu59Vf — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 26, 2015
Jays back on practice court after their top secret scrimmage at missouri. Mo Watson taking day off to rest sore hammie
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 26, 2015
Creighton returning to the practice floor after their scrimmage this weekend. pic.twitter.com/zd0gfaVzVp — Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 26, 2015
Zach Hanson going through some stuff with trainer. Positive sign for a guy that has missed a week with foot problem
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 26, 2015
Marcus Foster getting some shots up. pic.twitter.com/Ag6CSSNL9Y — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 26, 2015
Marcus Foster is moving pretty well for a guy three weeks in to a 4-6 week recovery period. pic.twitter.com/kXW5Z5Xh5i
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 26, 2015
Jays running some stuff with Hegner and krampelj at the 5 spot. Mac serious about playing small at times this year — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 26, 2015
Almost every practice Justin Patton does something that even the best coaches in the game can’t teach. When it clicks for him, look out.
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 26, 2015
Jays’ press isn’t going to strike fear into foes’ hearts but it is showing signs of being effective at times — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 26, 2015
Marlon stewart had surgery to repair meniscus tear last Thursday. Getting some shots up today.
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 26, 2015
Mac to a player guarding Isaiah Zierden: “Did he miss the other day?” . . . “Then guard him!” — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 26, 2015
Notable difference in jays defense from a year ago: Khyri thomas’ hands are everywhere
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 26, 2015
Ronnie Harrell getting some boards in the scrimmage going on now. — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 26, 2015
My Slovenian cousin just turned in hustle play. Missed fall away jumper but squeezed in for rebound and scored on layup
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 26, 2015
Nice feed from Ronnie Harrell to my Slovenian cousin for a dunk. Harrell having good practice. Rebounding like a dervish — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 26, 2015
Piv’s Slovenian cousin with an acrobatic drive to the basket and a made layup. Martin is very active today.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 26, 2015
Martin Krampelj has been a Slovenian nightmare for the blue squad today; showing off his versatility on the offensive end. — Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 26, 2015
Those who love looking to the future would drool all over themselves watching what Ronnie Harrell Jr. & Martin Krampelj did this afternoon.
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 26, 2015
Mac’s post-practice injury update: Zach Hanson getting closer to being back, Marlon Stewart out probably 3-5 weeks and Marcus Foster … — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 27, 2015
could be back to doing some on-court stuff _ “basic, non-contact stuff” _ by end of the week. “Hopefully, we’ll have everyone back soon.”
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 27, 2015
Mac’s general assessment of scrimmage with Mizzou (can’t be specific per NCAA rules): “Took good care of basketball, did good job of … — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 27, 2015
defending without fouling and got to line enough on other end, and showed good balance offensively while shooting the ball well.
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 27, 2015
Mac said having tape of playing against someone different invaluable at this point in preseason. Watched film with team before practice — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 27, 2015
Wednesday, October 28
After taking yesterday off, Greg McDermott and the Bluejays are back on the practice floor. pic.twitter.com/FsVkQjcn0k
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 28, 2015
Zach Hanson warmed up with the team and is on the floor practicing. pic.twitter.com/Lv0uOQo3qf — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 28, 2015
Zach is doing some bike work now.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 28, 2015
Bluejays are a bit hobbled and someone new seems to be limping after every drill; still nothing too serious that they can’t push through. — Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 28, 2015
Tyler Clement could be one of those guys who becomes a coach when he’s done playing. Hard worker, scrappy, high IQ. Always helping someone.
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 28, 2015
Toby Hegner with 3 threes in the last few minutes of the practice scrimmage going on now. — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 28, 2015
Might see a lot of following sequence this year: Thomas steal, leads break, finds Watson, who draws defender & kicks to Zierden for open 3.
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 28, 2015
Isaiah Zierden spelled Maurice Watson Jr at point guard for a bit. The team scored 9 points in the four possessions he orchestrated. — Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 28, 2015
For a guy who isn’t supposed to shoot the basketball very well Khyri Thomas sure shoots the basketball pretty well.
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 28, 2015
Khyri Thomas doing it all right now. — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 28, 2015
Thursday, October 29
8 more days until Creighton’s lone exhibition game against Upper Iowa. Back to the practice floor in the mean time. pic.twitter.com/yt6sbtwU9n
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 29, 2015
Marcus Foster (three and a half weeks out from knee injury) is participating in non-contact drills to start this afternoon’s practice. — Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 29, 2015
Marcus Foster and Marlon Stewart getting some shots up. pic.twitter.com/YtTRPLkauv
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 29, 2015
Zach Hanson back on the practice floor for bluejays — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 29, 2015
Blues and whites reviewing offensive sets to start today’s @BluejayMBB practice.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 29, 2015
Jays going to do scrimmaging latter half of practice with officials — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 29, 2015
Maurice Watson Jr. just hit a teammate in transition with a pass that only a clairvoyant could have seen.
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 29, 2015
Martin Krampelj strips Watson, but was called for foul. Related: I learned that Slovenians can say, “that was bs” just by using their eyes. — Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 29, 2015
Ronnie Harrell with a pretty spin move to the basket for a layup.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 29, 2015
The words “go” and “sprint” being uttered a lot by the coaches in the scrimmage going on now. — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 29, 2015
Ronnie Harrell @Sniper4_ has been aggressive going to the basket for layups in the scrimmage today.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 29, 2015
Ronnie Harrell @Sniper4_ also rebounding well on the defensive end of the court. — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 29, 2015
Mo Watson @mauricewatsonjr and Isaiah Zierden @IsaiahZierden21 just teamed up for a 2 on 1 basket.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 29, 2015
Isaiah Zierden in can’t-miss mode from three right now. — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 29, 2015
How well is Isaiah Zierden shooting it? In 5 on 5 live stuff they chart he’s making 60 percent from beyond arc
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 29, 2015
White team taking it to blues today. Just won 3rd straight play to 7 scrimmage — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 29, 2015
Ebb and flow of practice. Guy looks great one day struggles the next. Consistency is elusive animal
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 29, 2015
I’ve probably seen Jays work on zone more this preseason than last 5 years combined. Don’t think they’ll be alone in playing more zone — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 29, 2015
New rules and emphasis on old ones will have a lot of coaches looking for ways to keep guys out of foul trouble. Zone one way
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 29, 2015
Martin krampelj does a nice job of running the floor for a freshman — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 29, 2015
That is one sweet shot Isaiah Zierden has going right now
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 29, 2015
@PivOWH all about changing speeds piv. Doesn’t have to be slow to fast. I prefer slow to medium — Grant Gibbs (@DoubleGfor3) October 29, 2015
@PivOWH these maneuvers have been passed down for generations by way of the forefathers of the Caucasian basketball players guild
— Grant Gibbs (@DoubleGfor3) October 29, 2015
@DoubleGfor3 know where you’re coming from. Once was a card-carrying member of that guild — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 29, 2015
Friday, October 30
Isaiah Zierden is in street clothes with a left ankle issue.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 30, 2015
Isaiah Zierden sitting this practice out. Went to Doctor for checkup. Everything good. Just decided to give him day off — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 30, 2015
Marcus foster appears to be making good progress in return from knee injury. Doing some on court stuff. Still no contact stuff
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 30, 2015
Jays working on getting more aggressive in press today. Lot more energy — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 30, 2015
Blues and whites were going 5 on 5 in the half court. Now going full court and both teams pressing after made baskets.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 30, 2015
James milliken just had nice back to back hustle plays on both ends of the court — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 30, 2015
Cole huff with good sequence in making a 3 and then scoring off offensive rebounds on back to back possessions
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 30, 2015
Martin Krampelj @MartinKrampelj with a nifty turn-around layup with the left hand. — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 30, 2015
The Jays are finishing up today’s practice shooting some free throws. pic.twitter.com/bJoufX94Do
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 30, 2015