Max wrote about microcosms following the home loss to Illinois State. And if there was ever an individual situation that mirrors the disappointing Creighton basketball season so far, it has to be that of P’Allen Stinnett. The junior from Las Vegas, once the MVC Freshman of the Year and Newcomer of the Year and a two-time preseason all-Valley pick, follows up his sophomore season (one that earned him second-team all-MVC honors) with as disappointing an individual performance as Bluejays have seen in years.
Thought by many to be the successor to the role of best and most talented Bluejays, designations bestowed on players such as Nate Funk, Anthony Tolliver, Kyle Korver, Ryan Sears, Ben Walker, and Rodney Buford, Stinnett failed to follow the same trends of improvement in statistical and intangible areas of his game those players showed before him. His scoring average, shooting percentage, 3-point percentage, free throw percentage, and steals totals all declined from his freshman season through his now incomplete junior year.
P'Allen Stinnett's teammates need to move on without the inconsistent junior on the court
Stinnett shot to stardom in his first Creighton game. He scored 23 points in 26 minutes against DePaul in November 2007, hitting 5 3-pointers, grabbing 4 rebounds, dishing 3 assists and snagging 3 steals. He was the first freshman since Buford to lead the Bluejays in scoring, and he finished 5 points shy of Buford’s freshman scoring record of 421 points.
Stinnett’s sophomore season started sensationally, as well. He blasted New Mexico for 30 points, going 11-16 from the field. But following a poor effort at Arkansas-Little Rock a few games later, he sat out the Bluejays’ close loss to Nebraska for disciplinary reasons. Steady play from Booker Woodfox, the MVC Player of the Year, allowed Stinnett to add support from the other off-guard spot. However his play was often erratic. Senior day found Stinnett scoring 20 points on 6-8 shooting from the field in a critical 74-70 win against Illinois State. But a week later, Stinnett imploded against the Redbirds when it counted most, scoring 4 points in just 19 minutes during a semifinal blowout by ISU.
Much was made by local media during the offseason about Stinnett’s maturity level. Repeated quotes from teammates, coaches, and Stinnett himself led many to believe the junior was ready for an improved season, the one tantalizingly taunting Creighton fans since his freshman season. And again, Stinnett started the season well, albeit for just one game. He scored 18 points in Creighton’s close loss to Dayton this November, but then faltered mightily against an Old Spice Classic field many Jays fans thought was ripe for the Bluejays’ taking. He scored 7, 9, and 2 points against Michigan, Xavier, and Iona, shooting 36% from the field with just 2 assists, 1 steal, and an abominable 11 turnovers. He bounced back for a good effort in a loss against George Mason (21 points on 7-11 shooting), but scored in double figures just four more times in the last 12 games he played before being suspended for the rest of the season.
For all the dunks and takeaways and highlight reel plays, Stinnett erased many of the positive moments with ill-timed mistakes and mental breakdowns resulting in turnovers and technical fouls. It remains to be seen whether Stinnett will play for Creighton again, but his time on the Hilltop has been entertaining, regardless. Just not always for the right reasons.