Creighton, like Louisville, got off to a bit of a slow start, opening its season at 7-5. Like Louisville, it heated up in conference play, winning nine straight at one point and 15 out of 19 heading into its Big East Tournament championship game against St. John’s. Like Louisville, it finished second in its league, and lost to a high seed in its tournament championship in a road game.
“Obviously, we drew a very difficult opponent in Louisville,” Creighton coach Craig McDermott said. “You know, 18-2 in the ACC is incredible. My guess is they feel like they’re a little bit overseeded compared to where I thought they would probably be, and they probably think that maybe we’re a little bit better than a No. 9 seed as well.”
The Bluejays are familiar with Louisville point guard Chucky Hepburn. He played high school basketball in Omaha, where Creighton is located, and faced off against current Creighton forward Jasen Green in the state championship.
“I was always impressed with Chucky and he went to Wisconsin, had a great career there, and then made the decision to move and has really elevated that Louisville program in a hurry. And, you know,” McDermott said. “(Louisville) coach (Pat) Kelsey has been doing this a long time. He was successful at Winthrop, he was successful at Charleston and now he’s done a great job in year one at Louisville. Despite some injuries early in the year, they kind of had to retool like we did, and then just went on an incredible run through the ACC. So, it’s a tough draw. And, you know, Chucky is a an elite point guard and a great leader. Fortunately, I have one of those too.”
Here are some things to know about Creighton:
About the school: Creighton is a private, Jesuit institution located in Omaha, Neb., with 8,403 students (which includes 4,276 undergraduates). The University was founded in 1878 by Mary Lucretia Creighton, who established it in memory of her husband, telegraph pioneer Edward Creighton. The school officially joined the Big East Conference in 2013, as part of the realignment that saw Louisville leave for the ACC.
Famous alumni: Bob Gibson (Hall of Fame pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals), Paul Silas (former NBA player and head coach), Kyle Korver (former NBA player), Doug McDermott (Sacramento Pacers), Pat Venditte (former ambidextrous MLB pitcher) and J. Joseph Ricketts (Chicago Cubs owner and founder of TD Ameritrade),
The Bluejays: Creighton picked up the nickname in 1924 after a newspaper coordinated a public contest to select a nickname and mascot.
Fought through a slow start: At 7-5 in December, things could’ve unraveled. Instead, the Jays went on a tear, posting a 15-5 conference mark and reaching the Big East Tournament final. McDermott’s veteran leadership was able to rally this group to a 24-10 record.
Ryan Kalkbrenner is the anchor: The 7-foot-1 senior averages 19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and alters everything inside. His four straight Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards put him in rare air. Only Patrick Ewing equaled the feat in Big East history. The preseason Big East Player of the Year opened the season with a 49-point effort against UT-Rio Grande Valley. This week, he was named a semifinalist for Naismith National Player of the Year.
He’s also rewritten Big East history: Kalkbrenner is the only player ever in Big East play with at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 blocks. Add more than 2,000 career points and a long postseason track record, and you’ve got one of the most complete big men in college basketball. He’s one of only three in the history of Division I with 2,300 points and 375 career blocked shots.
Steven Ashworth keeps the team humming: The senior point guard averages 16.3 points and seven assists and shoots 92.6 percent from the free-throw line. Like Hepburn, he gets to the free throw line. He made 17 of 17 in a win over UTRGV to open the season. Hepburn made 17 of 19 in a win over Florida State. Ashworth’s steady leadership keeps the Jays poised in tight moments.
The Bluejays are making their 26th NCAA appearance: Consistency has become the program’s calling card. Creighton has won at least one game in each of the last four NCAA tournaments and has eyes on another deep run. This is its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance under McDermott, who was mentioned early in connection with the open Louisville job – and other jobs – but quickly signed an extension in Omaha.
Big-game ready: Creighton’s signature wins include taking down then-No. 1-ranked Kansas at home in December and winning at No. 14 UConn. They’ve dealt with big-time atmospheres, including facing St. John’s for the Big East Tournament title in Madison Square Gardon. They also have wins this season over St. John’s and Marquette.
“We played a road game on Friday night against UConn,” McDermott said. “We played a road game last night against St John’s, and we’re going to play a road game Thursday against Louisville. So, I just think the environment that we experienced Friday, Saturday night is going to prepare us for what’s ahead on Thursday.”
Interior offense and rebounding are key strengths: The Jays average 75.2 points and hold a +3.4 rebounding margin. They want to crash the glass and press the pace – though their season average of possessions nearly two per game slower than Louisville’s. Creighton is shooting 60.5 percent from two-point range, second in the nation. It also doesn’t foul. The Blue Jayes are allowing opponents just 16.4 free throws per 100 field goal attempts, a defensive free-throw rate that leads the nation.
Watch for freshman Jackson McAndrew: The 6-foot-10 forward hit 62 threes this season, earning Big East All-Freshman honors. He’s a stretch threat who could be a March X-factor.
Creighton holds a 2-0 edge over Louisville in NCAA Tournament play: The two programs have met twice in March — and both times, Creighton came out on top. The first meeting came in 1974, an 80-71 win in a regional consolation game. The second was a 62-58 win in Orlando in the first round of the 1999 NCAA Tournament, Louisville’s next-to-last tournament game under Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum.
Creighton has a coach who will stay in the Bluegrass: Assistant coach Ryan Miller was just hired as Murray State’s new head coach — but he’s staying on the bench with Creighton for this tournament.
McDermott’s success: With 349 wins at Creighton, McDermott has led the program to the Sweet 16 three times in four years. He passed Dana Altman as winningest coach in program history last November. He has an NCAA Tournament record of 11-9. He has not had a technical foul since 2022, a streak of 119 games.
Creighton usually starts postseason play on the right foot: The Jays have won their postseason opener in 13 of the last 15 seasons and have won four straight NCAA Tournament first round games.
Tournament consistency: Creighton is one of just five teams nationally with three Sweet 16 trips in the past four tournaments. They expect to win early round games and give themselves a chance for something more.
Game planning: Expect Creighton to extend its half-court defense, go over screens, and try to take three-point opportunities from Louisville, funneling drivers into Kalkbrenner, who is at home protecting the rim. Offensively, expect the Bluejays to work it to Kalkbrenner down low, and hope for a big game from McAndrew.
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