Yeah, I’m a little late for this Wrap and unfortunately the whole Bluejay/Shocker series was gone unseen live for me for the first time in a long time. Pretty sad actually as this is my favorite set of games each season. Two weekends in a row, it has been back to central Nebraska for some family function. But in a week both games watched on DVR delay, I saw two different Creighton teams against the Shockers. Last week, the Bluejays didn’t know what to do an unsure about themselves. This week the team looked like they were having fun. With the Southern Illinois game earlier this week and then the Wichita State game Saturday, the Bluejays seem a little more relaxed and seem like they are having fun playing basketball again. Two home wins with a combined 3 point margin relaxing? In reality, Creighton loves these types of games. Check this out: Creighton men’s basketball has won its last seven games decided by one point and 17 of its last 22 games decided by one point. (Thanks GoCreighton)
What I have seen over this past week is a little more swagger, a little more confidence, and a team willing to help each other. And why not? Chad Millard’s spark off the bench. Antoine Young’s last second shot. Casey Harriman taking several charges. P’Allen Stinnett accepting his role off the bench (and getting to 1000 points in his Creighton career) Justin Carter and Cavel Witter as seniors putting the team on their shoulders. Taking a step back this week to look at things, I see this team starting to come together and finding ways to win. Sound familiar? Then, add in a late Christmas present of Greg Echenique to join this team next season you kind of get the feeling that this week’s wins can be a catalyst for the rest of the season because really there is still a lot to play for, one game at a time.
As I was getting my weekly post together on the MVC Sunday night for Rush the Court the Valley looks to get wacky starting this week and Creighton is right in the mix. They are currently tied for third in the conference with Illinois State. Now you look forward to the week– Wichita State and Northern Iowa get together on Tuesday night and Illinois State and Creighton get together on Wednesday night. Say UNI continues their run and the Shockers lose, and Creighton continues their surge to beat Illinois State (both games on the road mind you) and Creighton has positioned themselves in 2nd place in the conference and sets up the second half of the conference season where it will turn into a dogfight to see who will get the opportunity to be on the other side of the bracket in St. Louis against UNI…or will it? It is actually setting up to be like last season in the Valley.
Last season Northern Iowa was on a roll with a 13 game winning streak and looked like they were going to run away with the conference. Then February came and lost four of their next five games and the Bluejays rolled off 11 straight wins of their own and were able to sneak up on them to tie them for the regular season conference championship. Could it happen again?
The Bizzaro Valley is about ready to begin again with Northern Iowa and then 8 other teams that are still in the race as we get close to the halfway point of the conference race. The next six weeks should be a roller coaster of a ride before St. Louis. There is definitely a lot to look forward to. Are you ready for the run? It continues at Illinois State on Wednesday night.
Oh, and the Shockers go home a loser again…18 years and counting!