The recent road trip for the Creighton men’s basketball team showcased the unpredictable nature of their season, seeing them deliver a stunning victory over then-No. 5 UConn before experiencing a disheartening loss to No. 17 St. John’s. Following this rollercoaster four-day span, the Bluejays find themselves with an overall record of 14-14 and an 8-9 mark in Big East play, placing them fifth in the conference standings, just one game behind Seton Hall.
Coach Greg McDermott emphasized focusing on the positives stemming from their dominant performance against UConn. His sentiments were echoed by Blake Harper, who played a crucial role in that victory. “I was proud of the guys,” Harper stated, highlighting the internal belief among the team despite external skepticism. He noted the importance of maintaining a level-headed approach as they regroup for practice after a challenging loss.
McDermott observed several key factors contributing to their strong showing against UConn, particularly the team’s connectedness and effective pace of play. His players executed the game plan well, overcoming challenging moments stirred by the raucous crowd and maintaining composure throughout.
As they prepare for their next matchup against DePaul, the Bluejays are reminded of their previous encounter where they suffered a narrow defeat, marking an end to a 23-game winning streak against the Blue Demons. McDermott acknowledged DePaul’s resilience and commended their strong guards and tenacious bigs, recognizing the need for improvement in rebounding to avert a repeat of the earlier performance.
In that initial meeting, DePaul displayed a potent offensive strategy, scoring heavily in the paint and capitalizing on second-chance points. The Bluejays will need to address their defensive approach to contain the Blue Demons, particularly focusing on keeping them off the boards and improving their shooting percentage, especially from close range.
With DePaul currently ranking in the middle tier for offensive efficiency, statistically, it would be a mistake for the Bluejays to underestimate their capacity to score, especially with player NJ Benson leading the charge. Benson’s impressive stats, along with contributions from CJ Gunn and Layden Blocker, suggest DePaul will pose a significant challenge.
Aiming to bounce back from their last performance, Creighton is keenly aware that they must execute their game plan for all 40 minutes. Harper reiterated the urgency to tighten their game strategy as they gear up for this crucial contest.
As the Bluejays look towards their upcoming match, McDermott is optimistic that the stakes of the game, alongside the memory of their recent loss, will fuel their determination. “We still have plenty to play for,” he mentioned, noting the importance of securing a favorable seed in the upcoming Big East Tournament. Although the season has not gone as envisioned, being in contention for a high finish in the conference serves as a silver lining.
As they prepare, the team is currently managing some minor injuries and illnesses but remains hopeful for a full lineup. The Bluejays will host DePaul at CHI Health Center Omaha, with tipoff set for 8 p.m. CT, in an effort to engage their fans by encouraging a “Blue Out” event in partnership with ABIDE. The game can be streamed on Peacock as well as NBC Sports Network for YouTube TV subscribers.