From the time Creighton started playing men’s basketball (1916-1917) through the 1959-1960 season, the Bluejays called the Vinardi Center home. CU went 336-92 in 42 seasons in the on-campus gym, which now stands as home to the basketball practice facility.
Each week of the Creighton men’s basketball season, WBR will catch up with a Creighton coach to report about practice and the state of the program.
This week, we speak with CU assistant coach Darian DeVries.
Darian DeVries began his coaching careers as a grad manager under Dana Altman (Adam Streur/WBR)
We caught up with Creighton men’s basketball assistant coach Darian DeVries to discuss #25 Creighton’s 4-0 start and the role he plays in the program.
White & Blue Review: The media guide says that you do much of the scouting of Creighton’s opponents. What are your typical responsibilities in that area? How do you translate what you see on film to your scout team, and ask them to implement what your scouting shows you?
Darian DeVries: Well, the scouting of opponents is really shared by all the assistant coaches. We usually will split them evenly and I would be responsible for a share of the games. It also comes down to the familiarity of the opponent. It really boils down to trusting your own eye and relying on what you are seeing and what you think you can expose. We also will try and get feedback from people who have played these opponents. They can really give some good details and that what it comes down to. A lot of the time, games are going to be decided by 2, 4, or 6 points, and that one detail could be the difference. Along with that, you really need to know your personnel. You need to know and understand the talent you are working with and be able to apply your game to what you have learned.
WBR: You’re the longest tenured assistant coach in the Valley right now. How much does that help in scouting conference opponents? What differences exist when you try to break down non-conference opponents vs. the teams in the Valley?
DD: Scouting your opponent has a lot to do with the familiarity of the coaches and their play. With the turnover in the Valley, it is a whole new ball game for the most part. The biggest benefit in regards to my time at Creighton would be the familiarity of each venue. We can prep the guys for the environment that they will face in a lot of places and that helps.
WBR: What are some of the similarities and some of the differences between working with Dana Altman (12 years as a grad manager and assistant) and with Greg McDermott?
DD: I can say that a similarity is that they are both great coaches. They have some different styles, but they are both hard workers and always well prepared. I have a huge amount of respect for both coaches. Mac has a way of creating a positive atmosphere, even after a loss and it is usually pretty upbeat.
WBR: You have a few brothers that played football for Iowa, and you faced Iowa when you were a Northern Iowa Panther. Any extra enjoyment from the win against the Hawkeyes Sunday?
DD: Being from Iowa, I have familiarity, and with my brothers playing there, I know the school pretty well. For Creighton, it is nice to go and get a good win on the road. Wins like this are big for our recruiting efforts in that state.
WBR: We learned earlier in the week that Creighton broke into the coaches poll at #25. Is this good for the program or is there now the target on your back.
DD: Honestly, I think we have had a target on our back since the summer. With the success that Greg [Echenique] and Doug [McDermott] had playing for their countries, people started to talk. Our players have done a great job in handling the added pressure, and I think it is great for our fans and great for recruiting. There is no sense hiding for the success you have had or that people may think you are a good team. It is where we want to be. Year in and year out we want our program to be up there. The guys have worked hard to get here, and they have handled it well and I think they will continue to do so.