My colleague Max summed up tonight’s festivities perfectly in his Polyfro Primer this morning:
Four of the most amazing years in Creighton’s storied basketball history come to a (regular season) close tonight, as Ethan Wragge, Jahenns Manigat, Grant Gibbs and Doug McDermott take their curtain calls before the home crowd. It’s a bittersweet moment, as we celebrate all the wins, all the memories, all the accomplishments that this senior class has authored while mourning the fact that we’ll never get to watch them play together on their home floor again after tonight.
There won’t be a shortage of coverage of Creighton’s senior class tonight. As someone who’s written about Ethan Wragge, Jahenns Manigat, Grant Gibbs, and Doug McDermott since they all stepped foot on the Hilltop, all I can say is I’m honored to have watched these four gentlemen represent my alma mater and the program I care most about in this world.
IS IT DUSTY IN HERE?!?!
Shameless Plug
If you haven’t seen them yet, check out Max’s Top Ten Games & Moments for each of the 2014 seniors:
Creighton, by the Computers
- #7 NCAA Official RPI (no update from 03/07)
- #7 Warren Nolan RPI (no change from 03/07)
- #9 KenPom (no change from 03/07)
- #13 ESPN BPI (no change from 03/07)
Bracketing the Bluejays
- #3 via Tim Krueger’s Bracket
- #3 (3.21 average) via Bracket Matrix
CU Stat o’ the Day
2,966
That’s Doug McDermott’s career point total coming into tonight’s game against Providence. While the Bluejays look to even the regular season series with the Friars at one apiece, everyone in the building will be rooting for McDermott to lead the way. If he can do that with 34 or more points, he’ll become a member of the 3,000-point club. Only seven other people have done it. It’s not a matter of if, really; he’s got tonight, at least one game in New York City, and at least one game in the NCAA Tournament to accrue the 34 points. But damn, wouldn’t it be sweet if he snagged point #3,000 in front of the home folks?
What to Watch Today
The Buzzer Beater channel on WatchESPN, if you’re lucky enough to have login info for the web-only channel, or on Cox Cable channel 1225.
Today in Bluejays Basketball History
March 8, 2013 — Creighton 65, Drake 53
With rumors swirling about the Bluejays’ impending move to the Big East Conference, Creighton begins a title run through their final trip to Arch Madness with a beatdown of longtime conference rival Drake.
WBR had two photographers and two writers (Max & me) at that game. It was a wonderful way to kick off a historic, championship weekend in St. Louis.
Creighton Hoops Photo of the Day
Speaking of that game last March 8, here’s a shot of McDermott doing work against the Bulldogs.
Doug McDermott scores in the 2013 MVC Tournament quarterfinals against Drake (WBR/Adam Streur)