After our last practice update, the Jays took four days off. Here’s a rundown of what’s happened this week when they resumed, thanks to tweets from WBR’s Matt DeMarinis and others who have been present.
Monday, October 12
After 4 days off practice has abit of of an intense flavor today
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 12, 2015
Greg McDermott introducing his 2015-16 team to their home court for today’s practice (minus 17,000+ fans). pic.twitter.com/bOPWJYCjZa — Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 12, 2015
Sophomore forward Toby Hegner back on the practice floor today after missing earlier sessions due to a sprained ankle.
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 12, 2015
Khyri Thomas got a good cut over his eye (did that in July, too) during a rebounding drill. No tears, but he has blood & sweat part down. — Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 12, 2015
Jays keeping trainers busy today. Cuts bruises sore muscles
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 12, 2015
Defensive drill — Mac picks 3 players to defend multiple possessions for 15 seconds. No rhythm 3s, paint touches, fouls, etc., or you run. — Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 12, 2015
Mac to player: “You have to pretend the game is on the line, and guard someone you’re not comfortable guarding to win the game.”
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 12, 2015
This is one of those practices that separates the men from the boys. Coaches are asking players to dig deep, battle through fatigue, finish. — Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 12, 2015
Mac to leaders: It’s easy to lead when things going well. When we get a little tired we find out who leaders really are
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 12, 2015
One of my favorite drills the ring around the rosey fast breaker — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 12, 2015
Marcus foster walking without crutch. Out with partially torn mcl but that’s a positive sign
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 12, 2015
Marcus foster getting some bike time in — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 12, 2015
Jays working on some 2-3 zone. First time since practice began on oct 3 that they’re spending time on detailed assignments
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 12, 2015
Wednesday, October 14
The @BluejayMBB team has an evening practice. Coach Mac, Geoff and Mo not back from N.Y.C. and B.E. Media day yet. pic.twitter.com/1hHiZoFWMq — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 14, 2015
Ready to get started. pic.twitter.com/YY70WIfLAd
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 15, 2015
Players taking-a-charge drill. I hold my breath every time they do this drill. — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 15, 2015
Geoff Groselle and Mo Watson just walked in. Warming up and will join their teammates shortly. Coach Mac here too now.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 15, 2015
Four blues going against five whites on offense and defense. — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 15, 2015
Toby Hegner @THeggs_32 with a nice pass over the top to Zach Hanson for a layup.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 15, 2015
Zac Hanson doing it on both ends right now — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 15, 2015
Rhythm three by Isaiah Zierden @IsaiahZierden21.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 15, 2015
Thursday, October 15
Today’s @BluejayMBB practice about to get started. pic.twitter.com/v4dFMum3Qq — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 15, 2015
Guards working on catch and shoot, bigs establishing position and scoring.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 15, 2015
One constant from practice to practice is the coaches want the players to talk and communicate. — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 15, 2015
Zac Hanson with a power move to the basket. Defensive man couldn’t stop him.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 15, 2015
Jays working on press. Also did some zone work. With shortened shot clock might see more of that from teams that never tried it in past — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 15, 2015
Several coaches at big east media day said their teams were working on both in attempt to eat time off clock
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 15, 2015
Probably have heard Geoff Groselle talk more in practice this year than last 4 years combined. Accepting mantle of leadership — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 15, 2015
Zach Hanson having one of his better practices today. Jays really need for him to step up this year
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 15, 2015
Friday, October 16
Mo Watson @mauricewatsonjr with two consecutive steals out of the press. — Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 16, 2015
Ronnie Harrell @Sniper4_ with with a perfectly-timed steal of a pass on the dead run and took it all the way in for a basket.
— Ralph Bistline (@RalphBistline) October 16, 2015
Creighton coaches implemented more half court & out-of-bounds sets to start this afternoon’s practice. pic.twitter.com/jqZ3QArVWa — Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 16, 2015
If Creighton can’t hack it in on defensive end this season it won’t be for a lack of commitment; coaches have drilled defense over and over.
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 16, 2015
Saturday, October 17 (Scrimmage)
Creighton scrimmaging at CenturyLink. Getting the juices flowing before “Bluejay Madness” tonight. pic.twitter.com/LQVE6I2fXn — Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 17, 2015
Even the refs are getting used to the new rules. One stopped game and asked, “Are we playing with 30-second shot clock or 35?”
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 17, 2015
Jays scrimmage with officials hasn’t been a foulest but you can tell they’re calling them closer — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
James milliken sitting out third straight practice. Hit head on floor in Wednesday’s practice
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
Geoff Groselle is having his way down low early. Cleaning up the boards and drew a foul on a nice up-and-under against Justin Patton. — Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 17, 2015
Khyri Thomas with the steal, draws the defender in transition, and hands it off to a hustling Martin Krampelj for the two-handed slam.
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 17, 2015
Maurice Watson Jr nails a filthy step-back jumper from the elbow. He’s looked unguardable, as usual, so far today. — Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 17, 2015
Toby Hegner might just have had the worse alley oop pass in alley oop history. Claims defender tipped it
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
As teams starting to tire fouls starting to mount — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
Blues won first half of scrimmage 50-35 Changing things up for second half
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
First half fouls ended up 17 on white 9 on blue. — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
Justin Patton with a nice drop step and two-handed flush in the paint. CU will need a Dunk Counter when his career get going.
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 17, 2015
Justin Patton with a nice dunk move. Up to that the big freshman has been struggling — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
One official whistles white team for an 8-second back court violation — pretty sure the rule is still 10 seconds. Lots of confused players.
— Matt DeMarinis (@mjdemarinis) October 17, 2015
Taz thomas has had some rough moments in practice but playing with a lot of energy today — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
Isaiah Zierden fell awkwardly when got tangled up with teammate. Up and walking now but few anxious moments
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
Whites grab early 9-2 lead in second half. Groselle: We need to communicating. That’s what got us the lead — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
Groselle thomas and krampelj switched to whites during break
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
Zierden walking semi normal but it looks like his day is done — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
Whites taking it to blues 17-4. Tyler clement with 3 and nice drive to basket for last 5 points
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
Blues go on run. We have a game here. Well actually it’s still a scrimmage but it’s 24-20 with 741 to go — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
Patton and groselle on floor at same time for whites. Just had nice combo with Jp passing to gg for layup
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
The progress that Justin Patton has made is very easy to see. Exciting to watch. — Heath Gunderson (@heathwgunderson) October 17, 2015
Maybe a scrimmage first. A technical foul on Groselle after he celebrates a nice move a bit too emphatically
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
Higgins just called a technical foul on Geoff Groselle. In a team scrimmage. A scrimmage. — Heath Gunderson (@heathwgunderson) October 17, 2015
Whites up 30-24 as we near the 4 minute mark
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
It’s 30-27 whites with 351 left. Groselle to teammates: This is blanking winning time. This is where we win games — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
Cole huff with last five points to give blues first lead at 34-32 with 46.4 seconds to play
— Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
Ronnie Harrell with corner 3 to put blues up 37-34 with 5.5 to play — Steve Pivovar (@PivOWH) October 17, 2015
For those of you going to #bluejaymadness tonight you should know that the players are going to be pretty tired. This scrimmage is intense.
— Heath Gunderson (@heathwgunderson) October 17, 2015