The 2013 Metro Summer League Tournament kicks off tonight.
The 20-team, single elimination tournament will begin tonight (7/18) with four hours of games starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Omaha Sports Academy.
With men’s basketball being the driving force behind Creighton’s move from the Missouri Valley Conference to the new Big East for the upcoming 2013-2014 athletic season fans have been counting down the days until tip-off of the home opener at Century Link Center Omaha.
To pass the time, Jays fans have been given a mid-summer treat. Thanks to the Metro Summer League they have been given a courtside seat to see former, current, and future members of the Creighton men’s basketball team in action.
With games tonight and the semifinals and finals Tuesday (7/23), Creighton basketball fans only two more chances to see their favorite players in action before what is sure to be a long and restless wait leading up to the regular season.
For fans interested in times and court assignments for their favorite Bluejay hoopers here is a preview of Thursday night’s action.
6:00 p.m. Court #1: No Sweat, No Glory (1-4) vs. Higgins Weatherguard, Inc. (3-2)
Bluejays to Watch: Antoine Young (NSNG)
The former Creighton floor general led No Sweat, No Glory to its first win of the summer last Thursday, topping Chris Carder Agency, 70-59. The winner of this first round match-up will turn right around and face the defending Summer League Champions, Bank of Nebraska (5-0) at 7:00 p.m. B.O.N is led by former Bluejay and an ex-teammate of Young’s in Justin Carter. Keep an eye on Court #1 for that potential reunion.
7:00 p.m. Court #2: Paragas Law Firm (2-3) vs. Free ‘N Clean/Stangs Winner
Bluejays to Watch: Will Artino (PLM), Toby Hegner (PLM)
Along with former Nebraska Cornhusker Wes Wilkinson (Bank of Nebraska) and current Nebraska-Omaha product Matt Hagerbaumer (Judd Knispel Agency), Creighton’s Will Artino has been one of the best and most consistent big men in the league this summer. He has carried Paragas throughout the regular season. A summer class has prevented incoming Creighton freshman Toby Hegner from being a regular participant during the season, but with that now in the rearview mirror the talented newcomer is expected suit up for Paragas.
8:00 p.m. Court #1: Thompson Basketball Camp (2-3) vs. Judd Knispel Agency (3-2)
Bluejays to Watch: Zach Hanson (TBC), Livan Pyfrom (TBC) vs. Jahenns Manigat (JKA), Devin Brooks (JKA), Alex Olsen (JKA), Steve Ferrarini (JKA)
In a rematch of the regular season finale, won by Judd (86-79), Thompson Basketball Camp is hoping the addition of Creighton freshman Zach Hanson will make the difference. The Hanson-Hagerbaumer match-up will be an intriguing one for fans who follow both of Omaha’s Division-1 basketball programs. The key to victory, however, lies in the backcourt as Creighton’s dynamic duo of Manigat and Brooks combined for 48 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists in the victory last Thursday. That duo also took turns guarding Thompson’s go-to man, C.J. Carter (UNO) and didn’t allow him to provide any of his usual heroics. This rematch could be one of the most exciting games of the entire season.
8:00 p.m. Court #2: Slice (3-2) vs Narmi Group @ Baird (2-3)
Bluejays to Watch: Ethan Wragge (NGB), Darian Harris (NGB)
With Wragge recovering from offseason wrist surgery it’s unlikely that he will suit up for Narmi, but as long as he is still listed on the roster the possibility remains that he could play. Even if Wragge is absent, Creighton fans will still get to see freshman Darian Harris show off his talents in this one.
8:00 p.m. Court #3: Walentine, O’Toole, McQuillan & Gordon (4-1) vs. Andy’s Lawn & Landscape (2-3)
Bluejays to Watch: Grant Gibbs (WOMG), Kenny Lawson, Jr. (WOMG) vs Anthony Tolliver (ALL)
Andy’s gets a big shot in the arm with the addition of NBA player and former Creighton standout Anthony Tolliver. If Lawson is back in town from California that will be the marque match-up of the summer for Creighton fans. If not, those in attendance will still get a close-up look at Grant Gibbs as he prepares for his sixth season as a collegiate athlete.
8:00 p.m. Court #4: Zurlo’s (2-3) vs EQ School of Hair Design (3-2)
Bluejays to Watch: Isaiah Zierden (Z), Geoff Groselle (Z), Nick Bahe (Z), Ross Ferrarini (Z), Matt Dorwart (Z) vs. Austin Chatman (EQ), Avery Dingman (EQ), James Milliken (EQ)
Zurlo’s has struggled against the more athletic teams in the league, while EQ has dropped games to teams that it stacked up well against on paper. Being that this is a single-elimination and these teams are filled with players who are used to competing and succeeding at a high level, fans should expect a wire-to-wire affair in this one. Creighton junior point guard Austin Chatman is coming off his best game of the summer (33 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists) last Thursday. He’ll be joined in the backcourt by Creighton newcomer James Milliken, who is expected to make his summer league debut. Milliken and Chatman will match-up against Zierden and former Bluejay, Nick Bahe. This one will be a shootout.
Other Tournament Pairings:
6:00 p.m. Court #3: Mavs (1-4) vs ABIDE (1-4)
Winner faces Cape Truck Acc. (5-0) at 7:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. Court #4: Shanks Law Firm (1-4) vs Chris Carder Agency (1-4)
Winner faces UNO Alumni (5-0) at 7:00 p.m.
Last Week’s Scores:
Narmi Group @ Baird def. EQ School of Hair Design (101-90)
UNO Alumni def. ABIDE (85-72)
Judd Knispel Agency def. Thompson Basketball Camp (86-79)
Slice def. Stangs (72-69)
Andy’s Lawn & Landscape def. Paragas Law Firm (88-80)
Higgins Weatherguard, Inc. def. Mavs (95-88)
Walentine, O’Toole, McQuillan & Gordon def. Shanks Law Firm (91-83)
Bank of Nebraska def. Zurlo’s (112-83)
No Sweat, No Glory def. Chris Carder Agency (70-59)
Cape Truck Acc. def. Free ‘N Clean (62-53)
Final Regular Season Standings
1. Bank of Nebraska (5-0)
2. UNO Alumni (5-0)
3. Cape Truck Acc. (5-0)
4. Walentine, O’Toole, McQuillan & Gordon (4-1)
5. EQ School of Hair Design (3-2)
6. Judd Knispel Agency (3-2)
7. Higgins Weatherguard, Inc. (3-2)
8. Slice (3-2)
9. Thompson Basketball Camp (2-3)
10. Zurlo’s (2-3)
11. Andy’s Lawn & Landscape (2-3)
12. Paragas Law Firm (2-3)
13. Narmi Group @ Baird (2-3)
14. Stangs (2-3)
15. Free ‘N Clean (2-3)
16. Mavs (1-4)
17. ABIDE (1-4)
18. Shanks Law Firm (1-4)
19. No Sweat, No Glory (1-4)
20. Chris Carder Agency (1-4)
Scoring Offense
1. Bank of Nebraska (99.0)
2. Thompson Basketball Camp (90.8)
3. Andy’s Lawn & Landscape (90.0)
4. Walentine, O’Toole, McQuillan & Gordon (89.2)
5. EQ School of Hair Design (88.6)
6. Zurlo’s (86.6)
7. UNO Alumni (86.0)
8. Paragas Law Firm (85.6)
9. Higgins Weatherguard, Inc. (85.4)
10. Judd Knispel Agency (84.4)
11. Cape Truck Acc. (83.4)
12. Mavs (81.2)
13. Stangs (79.8)
14. Narmi Group @ Baird (78.4)
15. Free ‘N Clean (77.2)
16. ABIDE (76.4)
17. Shanks Law Firm (76.2)
18. No Sweat, No Glory (75.2)
19. Slice (74.0)
20. Chris Carder Agency (71.8)
Scoring Defense
1. Cape Truck Acc. (58.2)
2. UNO Alumni (70.6)
3. Stangs (74.8)
4. Slice (77.8)
5. Free ‘N Clean (79.4)
6. Chris Carder Agency (79.6)
7. ABIDE (81.2)
8. Paragas Law Firm (81.6)
9. No Sweat, No Glory (82.4)
10. Judd Knispel Agency (84.0)
11. Walentine, O’Toole, McQuillan & Gordon (84.8)
12. Bank of Nebraska (85.6)
13. Mavs (86.4)
14. Higgins Weatherguard, Inc. (86.8)
15. Shanks Law Firm (89.0)
16. Andy’s Lawn & Landscape (89.4)
17. Zurlo’s (89.6)
18. EQ School of Hair Design (90.0)
19. Narmi Group @ Baird (91.6)
20. Thompson Basketball Camp (94.8)