August 9, 2002 — ESPN announces that Creighton, along with fellow MVC schools Illinois State, Southern Illinois, and Northern Iowa will be among the 18 teams participating in the inaugural Bracket Buster Saturday college basketball showcase in February 2003.
In fact, according to the good folks at GoCreighton.com, Creighton would play the very first game in Bracket Busters history. Kyle Korver and Creighton hosted Fresno State for a nationally televised 11 a.m. game. Korver scored 27 points for the #17 ranked Bluejays, and they held off a pesky Bulldogs squad for a 67-66 win.
Creighton has participated in ESPN’s Bracket Busters event every season since. Dana Altman’s teams are 5-2, including last season’s win over George Mason at Qwest Center OMAHA. Quick, name the Bluejays’ only two losses in the event…
Side note: Jay Bilas did color commentary for that game, and Andy Katz served as sideline reporter. I wonder if the Jays passed Jay’s eye test that morning?
(If you guessed @ Kent State (February 2004) and versus Drexel (February 2007), you are correct!).