“The timeout wasn’t about X’s and O’s. It was about who we want to be.”
That was Creighton Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott, waxing philosophical after the Bluejays stormed back from 18 points down with 18 minutes remaining to beat No. 18 Oklahoma. He’s talking about bringing his Bluejays together after the Sooners opened up the second half with 7 quick points to move an 11-point halftime advantage to 42-24 margin.
The blistering 24-4 run that took place after Mac’s timeout was a mix of execution, adrenaline, luck, and exertion, a concoction that in this short season has quickly defined what the post-Doug McDermott Bluejays are all about.
As many this week have noted, Doug’s Bluejays had a challenging comeback scenario culminate in an identity-cementing win. I was there. It was right after Thanksgiving, at The Show at Viejas Arena. San Diego State punched Creighton in the mouth quickly and frequently; just like that the Aztecs were up by 17 and had one of the best student sections in the country rocking. Then McDermott, Antoine Young, and Ethan Wragge started chipping away. They caught up, hung around, took a lead, held on for dear life, and left San Diego with their sixth win in six chance.
Austin Chatman gets past his guy (WBR/Adam Streur)
The Sooners, like San Diego State that night, are a future NCAA Tournament team coached by a legend. Lon Kruger has arguably his best OU team since he took the reins in Norman. But this year’s Bluejays, like that 2011-12 team that got Creighton back to the NCAA Tournament, refused to succumb to an avalanching deficit and instead created a vision in victory of what this team will be this season.
It starts and ends with Austin Chatman.
The senior point guard was a freshman that night at San Diego State. He went 1 for 6 from the field in 14 minutes. He also watched as started Antoine Young helped will the Bluejays to a win over the Aztecs (7 of his 18 points in the last 7 minutes).
Chatman did the same against the Sooners. Sure, he posted a ridiculous line of 17 points, 11 rebounds (career high), and 6 assists in a team-high 38 minutes. But it was attention and effort on defense and his leadership on both ends of the court that keyed Creighton’s comeback against Oklahoma.
Chatman has plenty of help, too.
Through four games, Mac’s main eight-man rotation is providing balanced production. Three guys averaging double figures in scoring (Isaiah Zierden @ 16.3 ppg; Will Artino @ 11.5 ppg; Austin Chatman @ 10.3 ppg). Three others at 8 ppg or more (Devin Brooks @ 9.5 ppg; Toby Hegner @ 8.5 ppg; Rick Kreklow @ 8 ppg). All told, eight guys averaging 14 minutes a game or more.
Isaiah Zierden leads all scorers with 20 points against North Carolina Central (WBR/Adam Streur)
Plus, Coach Mac still gets to add some senior experience back to the rotation when Avery Dingman returns from his ankle injury
Isaiah Zierden is the Bluejays’ breakout star through four games.
Ethan Wragge made 14 three-pointers in his first four games in each of the past two seasons. Last year, it took him 25 attempts (56%). Two seasons ago, just 22 attempts (64%).
Through four games this season, Zierden – one of the best three-point shooters in his high school class nationwide – has rekindled the stroke that made him a highly sought-after recruit. He’s made 14 of his 30 attempts from deep so far (47%), a stat that’s turned him into Creighton’s leading scorer.
A heady, calm combo guard who can make plays on both ends of the court, the second of Zierden’s three triples against Oklahoma gave the Bluejays their first lead of the night, 48-46. But it was his tireless defensive effort to try and contain OU’s Hield that had his coaches and teammates singing praise after the comeback win.
A few days later, against North Carolina Central, Zierden again showed a smooth touch from deep and a savvy sense on defense. He scored a career-high 20 points against the Eagles (4 of 7 shooting from the field, 8 of 9 from the free throw line) and grabbed 2 of Creighton’s 8 steals.
He’s leading the Jays through 4 games with 8 steals, a testament to his ability to defend passing lanes and translate his basketball IQ into solid positioning and ultimately play-making on defense.
By relying on the three-pointer, the Bluejays remain susceptible to streakiness.
Rick Kreklow drills a three-pointer (WBR/Brad Williams)
Creighton shot 50% or better in the first half of wins against Central Arkansas (52%) and Chicago State (52%). The Bluejays were ice cold in the first 20 minutes against Oklahoma (24%) and North Carolina Central (29%). What’s worse, the good folks at #ShooterU went a combined 4 for 26 from three-point range in the first halves against the Sooners and Eagles (15%). If you’re going to #LetItFly, you better knock a few down.
But that’s the mesmerizing power of the triple, right? What can seem so broken can so quickly right itself in a flurry of points. We watched the past few years as Doug and Ethan and Jahenns treated us to some of the greatest long-range shooting displays in Creighton hoops history. And it seems as thought Mac and his staff have gone all in on recruiting and game-planning for talented perimeter shooters.
Barrages of three-point bombs helped the Bluejays catch Boomer Sooner, just like a bevy of triples helped CU bury more than a few opponents last season and the year before that. But the Bluejays have other options, too. They’re currently fourth in the country in free throw shooting percentage (81.6%) and 15th nationally in free throws made (84). Sure, it is early. Like, really early. But if the Jays are going to have a legitimate chance against some of the stronger, taller front lines they’ll see in the coming weeks, they’ll need to keep forcing the issue toward the rim and rack up trips to the free throw line.
Aside from Doug, defense might be the defining difference between this year’s Bluejays and teams from seasons past.
Again, I realize it is early. But the Bluejays are allowing just 0.88 points per possession through four games; that puts them in the top 75 nationally (for comparisons, the Jays average 1.12 points per possession so far, good for 72nd; last year CU led the nation with 1.21 points per trip). Just once since Greg McDermott’s been at Creighton have the Bluejays allowed less than 1.00 points per possession for a season (0.97, in 2012-13). Plus, this year’s version of the Bluejays are actually stealing the ball from opponents (7.8 per game thus far; comparatively, they averaged just 4 steals per game all last season and have never averaged more than 5 a game during Mac’s tenure).
It will need to be a collective effort, that’s certain. But if the Bluejays can continue to force mistakes and limit successful possessions for opponents, they have a chance to put a well-rounded product on the court more nights than not. Coupled with Mac’s coaching abilities and the team’s perimeter shooting talent, that’d give CU a shot at victory most nights.
I’d take it.
Toby Hegner and Austin Chatman play defense against North Carolina Central (WBR/Adam Streur)