I’m curious (worried?) about a few things in the weeks leading up to the start of the 2014-15 Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball season. So, I’m asking some questions and avoiding most answers, all in an attempt to avoid biting my nails off the cuticle waiting for the season to start.
#10 — Can the Bluejays stay healthy?
#9 — What can we expect from Creighton’s newcomers?
#8 — Can seniors Devin Brooks and Avery Dingman put it all together?
#7 — Who is going to #LetItFly?
#6 — How well will the Bluejays defend?
#5 — How will Austin Chatman go out as a Bluejay?
#4 — What different lineups will Creighton fans get accustom to seeing this season?
#3 — How will the Creighton Bluejays fare during the non-conference schedule?
#2 — What does the Big East schedule hold for Greg McDermott’s team?
A few days ago I surfed through Creighton’s non-conference schedule game by game. Doing the same for the Big East part of the Bluejays’ schedule is proving to be a more challenging task.
Let’s face it. We know what a Chicago State or Texas Pan-America is. #CUPCAKE. What we don’t know is how Marquette will fare against Ohio State and at the Orlando Classic. Or how Providence will do filling in for Creighton at the Hall of Fame Tip-Off against Florida State and Notre Dame, not to mention how the Friars do in Lexington against Kentucky. Or whether Villanova can prevail against VCU’s Havoc in Brooklyn, and how the Wildcats might fare against Oregon or Michigan. The Big East has two of the 8 teams at the Battle 4 Atlantis; how will Butler and Georgetown show at arguably the best MTE in the country this year?
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Those events are just the start. Look at some of these matchups!
- Providence @ Kentucky
- Wisconsin @ Marquette
- St. John’s @ Syracuse
- Seton Hall @ Wichita State
- Kansas @ Georgetown
- Butler and Georgetown vs. Indiana
There are a ton of other solid games, too. We’ll have a better grip on Creighton’s chances in the league after watching their conference mates in those contests. Plus, who knows how many of Steve Lavin’s St. John’s Red Storm — AKA THE MOST TALENTED TEAM IN THE BIG EAST — will be eligible once the conference season starts?
Still, I’ll take a stab at projecting Creighton’s 2014-2015 Big East wins and losses. Here goes nothing:
@ Providence (12-31-14)
I can imagine the Dunkin’ Donuts Center will be rocking on New Year’s Eve. Even without Bryce Cotton playing for the Friars, I think it will be tough for Coach Mac’s team to win on the road in a charged atmosphere.
Verdict: Jays lose (0-1)
@ Georgetown (1-3-15)
I think the Bluejays will be able to pull this out in the Hoyas’ home opener.
Verdict: Jays win (1-1)
DePaul (1-7-15)
Speaking of home openers … if the Bluejays do drop their first two games on the road in the Big East slate, at least they’ll have the Blue Demons as their conference game at the CLink. I think DePaul will be better this year than last, but the Jays still prevail.
Verdict: Jays win (2-1)
Seton Hall (1-10-15)
I’m eagerly anticipating seeing Pirates freshman phenom Isaiah Whitehead in Omaha. And Sterling Gibbs is a stud. But I’ll take the Jays at home in this one, too.
Verdict: Jays win (3-1)
@ Marquette (1-14-15)
Of all the teams I’m most interested in watching in the Big East this year, Steve Wojciechowski’s first Marquette club takes the top spot. His off-court success already in recruiting and energizing the fanbase is impressive.
Verdict: Jays lose (3-2)
Providence (1-17-15)
The Bluejays snag the home matchup in this budding rivalry. They’re not going to lose the Pink Out game!
Verdict: Jays win (4-2)
@ Butler (1-21-15)
A trip to Hinkle will be a challenge, especially with Roosevelt Jones back to join Kellen Dunham for the Bulldogs.
Verdict: Jays lose (4-3)
@ Villanova (1-25-15)
Think the Wildcats want to welcome the Bluejays back for a bit of revenge after last year?
Verdict: Jays lose (4-4)
St. John’s (1-28-15)
The most talented team in the Big East? Maybe. But I bet the Bluejays won’t need a last-second game-winner to beat the Red Storm.
Verdict: Jays win (5-4)
Georgetown (1-31-15)
Just like last season, I don’t think the Bluejays can beat Georgetown twice.
Verdict: Jays lose (5-5)
@ Xavier (2-4-15)
Man, what a tough stretch for the Jays. St. John’-Georgetown-Xavier-St. John’s, all in the span of about 2 weeks. Xavier’s tough to beat at Cintas.
Verdict: Jays lose (5-6)
@ St. John’s (2-7-15)
The Bluejays couldn’t beat the Red Storm at MSG last year with Doug and the gang. Not sure they can this year, either.
Verdict: Jays lose (5-7)
Marquette (2-14-15)
Happy Valentine’s Day, Wojo!
Verdict: Jays win (6-7)
Butler (2-16-15)
This is the stretch when the Jays gel. Butler gets trounced.
Verdict: Jays win (7-7)
@ DePaul (2-24-15)
Creighton’s coming together, and their last two roadies are winnable ones.
Verdict; Jays win (8-7)
@ Seton Hall (2-28-15)
A make or break game for finishing the regular season strong. If the Jays can get road wins at DePaul and Seton Hall, it sets up two amazing chances to impact the title run in the last week of the season.
Verdict: Jays win (9-7)
Villanova (3-3-15)
I reeeeeeaaaaaaallllly want to pick CU here. But, I think Jay Wright’s team will be tops in the conference in ’14-’15 and sweep the season series against the Jays.
Verdict: Jays lose (9-8)
Xavier (3-7-15)
Senior day for Austin Chatman, Will Artino, Avery Dingman, and Devin Brooks. Can’t lose on senior day!
Verdict: Jays win (10-8)
What do you think?
That’s put the Jays at 20-11 in the regular season, with at least two more games to play (a Big East Tournament appearance and a postseason berth).