119 wins over the last five years, six consecutive 20 win seasons, in many expert’s opinion they have the league’s best coach, and seven straight post-season appearances, with the five in the middle being NCAA appearances. Creighton, needless to say, has set the standard in the Valley when looking at the last seven years. On paper, this looks to be the weakest team the Blue Jays have had in some time, but yet it is difficult to pick them any lower than fourth heading into the season. That says alot about the consistency of this program, and how well it is respected around the Valley.As with most teams in the league this year, the backcourt is the strength of the team, and that would have been without their leader Tyler McKinney. However, with McKinney, it becomes one of the top two or three backcourts in the league. Creighton lost McKinney after 10 wins in 10 games last year, then proceeded to go 10-9 without him. He was lost after an eye infection got totally out of control, and cost him not only the last two-thirds of last season, it nearly cost him his sight. He went through two cornea transplants last spring and looks to be ready to go for the season. McKinney averaged 4.3 ppg and 3.9 apg, hardly numbers that make one do a double take, but his mere presence is crucial to Creighton. Bottom line, in three years with him in the line-up they are 54-9. Without him, 18-14. 6’3″ Junior Nate Funk is back after leading the team in scoring with 11.1 ppg. He also added about three assists and three rebounds per game. He can stroke it from deep, and was fourth in the conference shooting 43% from distance. Chances are Johnny Mathies sees lots of playing time this year. Filling in for McKinney, the 6’0″ Junior averaged 7.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg, and 1.8 apg. The final of the four-man backcourt rotation will be 6’3″ Senior Kellen Milliner. An all-league bench team member last year, he put up 9.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, and 1.4 apg. He also led the team with 50 three-pointers. New to the guard spot this year is 6’3″ Junior Nick Porter. He comes to Omaha after two years at Compton (Calif) CC.
Creighton lost three fifth year Seniors from last year’s frontcourt. Brody Deren, Mike Grimes, and Michael Lindeman together averaged 25.8 ppg and 14.4 rpg. What’s left are players who saw few minutes and newcomers, but all have some talent. 6’7″ Junior Jimmy Motz (3 ppg), hasn’t lived up to expectations yet, but with the increase in opportunity this year, could do some damage. 6’8″ Sophomore Anthony Tolliver and 6’5″ Sophomore Quincy Henderson both saw the floor in several games, but each averaged only about 1 ppg and 1 rpg, which gives an idea of the actual minutes per game they saw. Three newcomers are being counted on to step in right away. 6’7″ Junior Dennis Howard comes from Northeastern (Texas) JC. According to Altman, he is very athletic and can rebound. 6’10” Freshman Steve Smith averaged 20 ppg, 8 rpg, and 3 bpg as a high school Senior, and 6-8 Freshman Dane Watts put up 21 ppg and 12 rpg a game, which led to him being a McDonald’s All-American nominee. He was a two-time member of Missouri’s first-team all-state team.
Creighton has obviously had to replace several players in this seven year run, but this year the experience lost up front has many predicting the beginning of the end for Creighton. The program as a whole is in too good of shape to fall to far in the pack, unless an injury or two was to hit. The real weakness, uncharacteristic of past Blue Jay teams, appears to be depth, and injuries could put this team in a real bind. This team has beat up on several Valley teams in this great run, and some may take real pleasure in getting some revenge. If that’s the case, bring your A game, because that’s what it will take to still knock this team off.
Predicted League Finish: 4th Place (11-7)