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Writer's pictureBruce Kelleher

Super Scintillating Selections Top 30 Countdown: #20 Creighton Bluejays

I was in love with this team in the

beginning of the year, and then they lost six games in a row starting the season 6-6. I felt like an idiot and felt betrayed by my college basketball big brain, but I should have known better than to give up on myself, and on this team. We are looking at an 18-9 overall and a 12-4 team in the Big East, good enough for a tie for second place. They also have a chance to be in a tie for first place TONIGHT as they host Marquette in the biggest game of the year in the Big East. I'm trying to keep calm while writing this, but as long as this team doesn’t drop off a cliff before the end of the season, we are looking at a team that can and will make some noise in the tournament.


How can I trust a team that loses six games in a row? Well, you find out the most about a team when they are at their lowest, and the way this squad has responded to adversity makes me believe they believe in themselves and are ready to prove the haters wrong (of which there are many). The way I see it, Creighton is essentially me a couple beers deep, walking up to the best looking girl at the bar. I may not have had enough confidence at first to talk to her the first 67 times she walked by me, but by God the clock is getting close to midnight and it is time to roll up the sleeves and find out what I'm made of (pro tip: combining the moves and swagger of Mick Jagger on the dance floor can result in a new ten number combination in your phone…so I've heard). Why are they #20 in the power rankings if I love Creighton so much? Well, they do have nine losses and some of those are to some pretty iffy teams so I had to pump the brakes a little bit.


We are getting into the meat and potatoes of the Super Scintillating Selections. I would like to remind you guys that these are all opinions and if you disagree, please roast me. I would love to prove you wrong.


Let’s run it back.


Why can the Bluejays win it all?


  1. Tournament Experience. HUGE. HUGE. HUGE. their starters Ryan Kalkbrenner, Trey Alexander, Baylor Scheierman, Arthur Kaluma, and Ryan Nembhard (God bless whoever announces this team and has to say these last names every game) have all played in an NCAA tournament game, and four of the five have played a game under head coach Greg McDermott. The only one who hasn't? Transfer guard Baylor Scheierman, who I have a feeling everyone will know by the end of March. He came in from South Dakota State and was lights out over there, shooting 46.9% from behind the arc. He is only 36.9% this year but shooters shine in the tournament, and so will Scheierman. Dare I say he is the next Dougie Fresh??!


  1. Plan B. B for backup. Creighton has the #26 offense in terms of points per 100 possessions, and the #11 defense in terms of points given up per 100 possessions. Both numbers have constantly been improving ever since their six game slide. Now, if both sides of the ball are clicking, nobody will beat this team. But, If the offense is having an off night, they can rely on their defense to pick them up and keep them in the game, and vice versa. This is crucial because not every game in the tournament will be pretty, there will be a game or two that will have to be won by grinding it out. Being able to fall back on something is something not every team has (CC: Iowa), the Bluejays do.


What's holding them back?


  1. Avengers Assemble. The world deserves to see Creighton put it all together in time for the tournament. There is no doubt the Bluejays have learned to win and that is nothing to look past. But PLEASE get it together Creighton because you have had nights where both the offense and defense were not clicking and look more like a one and done team in the tournament. That scares me a tiny bit, I can't lie.


Sometimes you just have to trust. I will be watching this team closely for you guys over the next couple weeks. Stay in touch.


My Prediction: Sweet 16 (for now)


Next game: Tonight vs. Marquette.


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