With just two games remaining before the start of Metro Summer League’s single-elimination tournament, the quality of play has been turned up a few notches and the emotion is starting to reflect that. In the last two weeks, there have been a total of 20 games played. Exactly half of those games have been decided by five points or less, and seven of those ten games being decided by no more than three points.
Here is what you can expect to see beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday night at the Omaha Sports Academy:
Projected Game of the Night
8:00 p.m. Court 2: Zurlo’s (3-1) vs EQ School of Hair Design (2-2)
Bluejays to Watch: Maurice Watson, Jr. and Toby Hegner (Zurlo’s) vs Leon Gilmore III and Zach Hanson (EQ)
It was a really hard decision to come to, but with a significant portion of the future of Creighton basketball on the floor it will most likely be the featured attraction. Watson has led Zurlo’s to wins over both of the teams to play in last season’s Metro Summer League championship game. His team’s only blemish so far came against Austin Chatman’s Judd squad. Zurlo’s is the favorite in this match-up, but the individual battles will provide a lot of intrigue.
Creighton Heavy Games
This week promises to much easier than last week when it comes to watching the Jays in action. All four courts featured Creighton players last week, which led to a huge mass of fans in the middle section separating the courts as everyone tried to keep up with each player. For the next two weeks the teams featuring Creighton players will be going head-to-head on Courts 1 & 2, so for Bluejay fans who have wondered how each player measures up, these will be weeks you definitely will not want to miss.
8:00 p.m. Court 1: Judd Knispel Agency (2-2) vs Higgins Construction (2-2)
Bluejays to Watch: Anthony Tolliver, Austin Chatman, Jahenns Manigat, Nick Bahe, and Matt Dorwart (Judd) vs Devin Brooks and Geoffrey Grosselle (Higgins)
This was the other contender for ‘Game of the Night’ and for two reasons: Austin Chatman and Devin Brooks. It’s the highly-anticipated rematch of last year’s summer league barn-burner between the two Creighton guards. Brooks dropped 38 in the last year’s tilt, but Chatman got the win. It probably doesn’t hurt that this game also features a current NBA player.
8:00 p.m. Court 3: Winning Mentality (3-1) vs Cape Truck Acc. (2-2)
Bluejays to Watch: Antoine Young (Winning)
The former Creighton point guard has led an under-the-radar team to a 3-1 record after not winning a game last season. They’ll face off against the 2013 runners-up from Cape who have gone to the wire in every game they’ve played so far this summer.
9:00 p.m. Court 1: Paragas Law Firm (2-2) vs Shanks Law Firm (0-4)
Bluejays to Watch: Ricky Kreklow and Will Artino (Paragas) vs James Milliken and Tyler Clement (Shanks)
Milliken has been kind of overlooked through the first four games as the incoming transfers and freshman have garnered most of the attention, but could change this week with Kreklow on the floor opposing him. Milliken has averaged 36.5 points per game in his prior matchups with Creighton players this summer. It’ll be interesting to see if the transfer from California can slow him down.
Don’t be surprised if you don’t see Artino as he was nursing an ankle injury from Monday.
9:00 p.m. Court 2: Bank of Nebraska (3-1) vs The Narmi Group @ Baird (2-2)
Bluejays to Watch: Justin Carter (Bank) vs Avery Dingman and Ronnie Harrell, Jr. (Narmi)
Harrell’s offensive game has been fun to watch this summer. He has great ball-handling skills to compliment his smooth perimeter shooting. It’ll be fun to see how he stacks up against the most talented team in the league three years running.
Other Games:
7:00 p.m. Court 1: Andy’s Lawn Care (3-1) vs Big O Boys (2-2)
Andy’s continues to move right along and is looking to make a splash in this summer’s tournament.
7:00 p.m. Court 2: Bruins (1-3) vs Northeast (2-2)
Both area teams are looking to get back on track for a strong finish in pool play.
8:00 p.m. Court 4: BD (2-2) vs Mustangs (4-0)
Morningside continues to be the team to watch and the only undefeated team in the league.
9:00 p.m. Court 3: UNO Alumni (1-3) vs Lopers (3-1)
The Lopers have been playing pretty well and consistent, while the UNO Alumni team has not looked as strong as it has the past few years in the league.
9:00 p.m. Court 4: Apex Foster Care (2-2) vs ABIDE (0-4)
Apex (Peru State) hopes to build on Monday’s win to get back to .500. ABIDE is still looking for that first win of the season.