In Omaha, Nebraska, the Creighton Bluejays are gearing up to face off against the Northern Iowa Panthers on December 7. This matchup carries historical significance as Creighton leads the all-time series 42-20, with a home record of 25-3 against Northern Iowa. The game will take place in Cedar Falls at 2:00 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on ESPN+.
Northern Iowa, based in Cedar Falls, Iowa, finished the last season with a record of 16-16, ending with a narrow 68-64 loss to Saint Louis in the first round of the WNIT. The Panthers were favorably mentioned in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Preseason poll, predicted to finish second this season. At the helm is Tanya Warren, who enters her 18th year as head coach. Interestingly, Warren is a former player for Creighton, where she was recognized as a standout guard from 1983 to 1988 and was inducted into the CU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996.
As of now, Northern Iowa has a record of 4-3 in the current season, with notable wins against #8 Iowa State and Green Bay, despite losses to Ball State, Auburn, and Kansas. Their offensive leaders, Maya McDermott and Kayba Laube, bring a combined scoring average of 40.4 points per game, contributing to the team’s average of 79.1 points, while they allow 68.3 points.
On the other side, the Bluejays come in with a strong 6-2 record and are riding a five-game winning streak after rebounding from an earlier loss to #10 Kansas State. Creighton has shown remarkable offensive prowess, scoring over 80 points in all six of their victories. Their defense has also improved, restricting their last three opponents to under 60 points – an impressive feat for the team.
The matchup between Creighton’s current head coach and former assistant Tanya Warren highlights a narrative of camaraderie and competition. The teams have faced each other 25 times since Warren took her position at Northern Iowa, with Creighton winning 17 times.
In recent games, the Bluejays demonstrated their offensive depth, achieving 23 assists in a decisive victory over Xavier. They have maintained a record of 90-6 in games where they shoot 50% or better, highlighting their efficiency on the court. As both teams prepare for this exciting matchup, fans are eager to see which team’s strategy will prevail, and both sides are optimistic about their prospects this season.
Overall, this game is not just a chance for a win but an opportunity for growth and connection between past and present within the Creighton basketball community, especially with a former player returning as a coach.
As we look forward to this clash, it’s a moment of pride not just for the players and coaching staff, but also for the supporters and the communities that rally behind these teams.