Men's Basketball Preps For Exhibition Opener Thursday
10/30/2007 8:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Next Game
Creighton opens the 2007-08 exhibition season with a game on Thursday, Nov. 1 vs. EA Sports All-Stars. Tip-off on First National Bank Court at Qwest Center Omaha is set for 7:05 p.m.
Prior to the game the Creighton women's basketball team will host its exhibition opener against Central Missouri, starting at 5 pm.
Radio Broadcast Information
KXSP (“Big Sports 590” AM) will broadcast all Creighton men's basketball games during the 2007-08 season. The audio is also webcast live at www.bigsports590.com. T. Scott Marr and Travis Justice will call the action.
For regular-season home games, Big Sports 590 afternoon host Matt Perrault will host a call-in show focusing on the Bluejays, starting at 6 pm that leads into the pre-game show. Perrault will also take calls after the game, also on Big Sports 590.
Television Broadcast Information
Thursday's game will not be televised.
Video Webcast Available
Creighton University Athletics, Jump TV and Cox High Speed Internet will present a live, pay-per-view video webcast of at least 14 games this season. To sign up for the video webcast, fans can register by going directly to http://www.gocreighton.com. Cost for a season pass is $59.95. Single games are available for $6.95 each.
Once registered, fans will only need to log-in with their password on game night. The video stream, which will include an audio simulcast of the Big Sports 590 broadcast, begins 30 minutes before tipoff featuring live video of Qwest Center Omaha and the audio of the Big Sports 590 pre-game show.
In order to view the webcast, users must have high speed Internet access (cable modem or DSL service) and Windows Media Player version 9.0 or above.
Live Stats Information
All Creighton home basketball games will have live stats this season. Fans can go to www.gocreighton.com and click on the Live Stats tab on the left-hand side of the page.
Scouting Creighton
Creighton returns six lettermen and one starter from last year's team that finished 22-11 and advanced to its seventh NCAA Tournament in the past nine seasons.
Senior forward Dane Watts, owner of 86 consecutive starts, is by far the most experienced player on the roster. Watts averaged 9.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last year, easily tops among Bluejay returnees.
Other seniors with experience include guards Nick Bahe (3.0 ppg., 1.6 rpg.) and Pierce Hibma (1.8 ppg., 1.5 rpg.).
Junior Josh Dotzler looks to regain his starting job at the point guard spot after an injury-plagued 18 months. Dotzler averaged 2.2 points and 2.0 assists per game last year while playing 19.1 minutes per game.
Other lettermen that return to the fold are reserve guard Dustin Sitzmann and medical redshirt Kenny Lawson Jr. A freshman center, Lawson averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in two games before knee tendinitis cut his season short.
Three other players redshirted last season but had the opportunity to practice and learn the system, sophomore transfer Chad Millard as well as freshmen Casey Harriman and Aaron Brandt.
A highly-regarded recruiting class will be given the opportunity to contribute as well. Junior college transfers Cavel Witter and Booker Woodfox join freshmen Kaleb Korver, P'Allen Stinnett and Kenton Walker on one of Creighton's youngest teams in memory.
Scouting EA Sports All-Stars
EA Sports All-Stars is a group of former college standouts that is coached by Maury Hanks. Thursday's game will be the second on a four-game tour, which also includes games against Utah State (Oct. 31), Iowa State (Nov. 4) and LSU (Nov. 6).
Among the players on the preliminary roster are former Creighton guard Nick Porter (2004-07). Also on the team are Roberto Bergersen (Boise State), Mitchell Baldwin (Charlotte), Jason Forte (Southern Miss), Elvin Mims (Southern Miss), Earnest Scott (Valdosta State), Dalron Johnson (UNLV), Lance Allred (Weber State) and Cory Violette (Gonzaga).
The Coaches
The dean of Missouri Valley Conference coaches, Creighton's Dana Altman (Eastern New Mexico, 1980) enters his 14th year as head coach of the Bluejays. He owns a 260-141 (.648) mark at CU and a career record of 343-208 (.623) in 18 previous years as an NCAA Division I head coach.
Creighton's all-time winningest coach, Altman has been named national, conference, regional or district coach of the year in 10 of his 22 previous years as a head coach. The 2001 and 2002 MVC Coach of the Year was a finalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year Award in 2003. In 2004, Altman was named the Collegeinsider.com Jim Phelan National Mid-Season Coach of the Year. In March, 2007, Altman was named a coach on the MVC's All-Centennial Team.
Additionally, Altman has led Creighton to seven NCAA Tournaments and his teams have played in the postseason in 10 straight seasons. He is assisted by Brian Fish, Darian DeVries and Mike Maker. Nick Earnest is the team's film coordinator.
EA Sports is led by Maury Hanks. Hanks is also the Special Assistant to the General Manager for the New Jersey Nets. Hanks spent seven years as an assistant coach at UC Santa Barbara, Clemson, San Diego State and Drake.
The Series With Global Sports/EA Sports
Creighton has played EA Sports (formerly known as Global Sports) in each of the last eight seasons, with Creighton owning a 5-3 lead. Last season Creighton won 80-76 in overtime before a CU exhibition game record 12,973 fans.
Last Meeting With EA Sports Recap
Anthony Tolliver had 24 points, eight rebounds and a pair of game-winning free throws with 20 seconds left in overtime, lifting Creighton past EA Sports, 80-76, in overtime last year. Tolliver also blocked the potential game-winning three-pointer with less than five seconds left on the clock to seal the exhibition win.
Nate Funk added 15 points, five assists and four rebounds in his first action in 11 months, while EA Sports was led by 20 points and nine rebounds from Jason Forte.
Last Season Recap
Led by seniors Nate Funk, Manny Gakou, Nick Porter and Anthony Tolliver, Creighton went 22-11 and advanced to its seventh NCAA Tournament in the past nine years last winter.
Creighton was ranked a best-ever 19th in the preseason Associated Press poll last year, but lost several games early and was just 4-3 before a second-place finish in Honolulu at the Rainbow Classic.
The Bluejays would then open MVC play with a 5-1 record, eventually finishing second with a 13-5 league mark.
The second-seeded Bluejays then won the State Farm MVC Tournament in St. Louis with victories over Indiana State, Missouri State and #11 Southern Illinois, earning a 10-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Funk, Tolliver and Porter were all named to the all-Tournament Team.
Shipped to New Orleans, La., to take on #15 Nevada, Creighton dropped a 77-71 overtime game to the Wolf Pack in the first round of the NCAA's.
Funk and Tolliver gave Creighton its first pair of first-team all-MVC teammates since 1991. Funk led the Jays in scoring (17.7 ppg.) and assists (3.0 apg.), while Tolliver topped the team in rebounding (6.7 rpg.) and blocked shots (1.72 bpg.).
Creighton were 15th nationally with its school-record 75.4 percent accuracy at the free-throw line and ranked 23rd nationally, allowing just 60.9 points per game. The Jays also ranked 13th nationally with an MVC-record 15,909 fans per game.
The 2006-07 campaign marked Creighton's 10th-straight postseason bid and ninth-straight 20-win season.
Canada Trip Recap
Creighton spent Labor Day weekend in Calgary, winning five games in three days. Creighton beat Saskatchewan twice (87-82 and 92-66), Calgary (85-77 and 97-78) and Lethbridge once (88-49).
Eleven different Creighton players started at least once, and all 14 Jays scored at least nine points over the course of the weekend.
Dane Watts led Creighton in scoring with 16.0 points per game while also adding 6.4 rebounds per contest. Kenny Lawson Jr. averaged 14.0 points and led the team with 6.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocked shots per game. Josh Dotzler paced the club with 19 assists and 14 steals.
The foreign trip, which is allowed once every four years, was Creighton's first since the 2003-04 trip to Vancouver. That Creighton team opened the season 12-0.
Rule Changes
Several rules have been amended for the 2007-08 basketball season. Below is a list that affect the men's game:
- Courtside Monitor. Rule 2-5.1.a. The officials shall use the monitor to assess the situation when a fight is declared. Rationale: Officials are currently allowed to use the monitor, but this will require review of a fight situation to ensure that all unsportsmanlike behavior is addressed.
- Courtside Monitor. Rule 2-5.1. The officials may use the courtside television monitor, when available, to determine whether or not a flagrant foul occurred. Rationale: The official is not allowed to go to the monitor for a flagrant foul now if the situation has been deemed a fight.
- Back Panel of Uniform. Rule 3-5.1. When a back shoulder panel is used, it shall extend no more than 3 inches from the shoulder seam, may be arched or horizontal. Rationale: This allows another area for creativity in uniform designs without affecting the visibility of the number.
- Uniform Patches. Rule 3-5.7. Any commemorative/memorial patches worn on the uniform shall be a maximum of 2 1⁄4 square inches. Rationale: No size restrictions currently exist.
- Uniform Patch Placement. Rule 3-5.7. A single commemorative/memorial patch, flag, institutional or conference logo or mascot may be worn at the center of the neckline or apex on the back of the game jersey. Rationale: No patch, flag or logo is currently allowed on this area.
- Hair Control Devices. Rule 3-5.15. Any item that goes around the head, including headbands or hair control devices, shall be of a single solid color, no more than 2 inches wide with only one institutional or manufacturer's logo and the dominant color of the game jersey or white, black or beige (women only). Hard items including but not limited to barrettes, beads and bobby pins are prohibited. Rationale: This makes hair control devices consistent with the headband rule and adds beige and black as possible colors.
- Throw-In Ends. Rule 4-65.5. A throw-in shall end when a passed ball is touched inbounds or out-of-bounds by another player on the playing court, before going out-of-bounds. Rationale: This makes the end of throw-ins consistent.
- Free-Throw Alignment. Rule 8-1.4. To eliminate the first lane space nearest the basket on each side of the lane and using the present second, third and fourth lane space on each side of the lane as an alignment for free throws. Rationale: The players will be further from the basket during a free throw and will help eliminate the defensive player from ending up under the basket.
- Three-Point Line. Rule 1-7. Effective for the 2008-09 (not 2007-08) season, the three-point line distance be changed to 20 feet, 9 inches. Rationale: This will allow for better court spacing and open up the lane for a free-flowing game.
Recent Exhibition History
Creighton is 31-6 since 1987 in exhibition games, including a 22-3 record with Dana Altman as head coach. The only team to beat Altman in an exhibition setting has been Global Sports, which merged four years ago and changed their name to EA Sports.
Date Score
11/16/87 Creighton 82, DTV Charlottenburgh 77
11/13/88 Creighton 75, Turkey 66
11/10/89 Creighton 92, Athletes in Action 70
11/16/89 Brazil 93, Creighton 90
11/06/90 Creighton 89, Athletes in Action 82
11/15/90 Creighton 89, Russian Ukraine Nat. Team 71
11/05/91 Creighton 90, Ukraine National Team 89
11/19/91 Creighton 87, Ath. Fighting Substance Abuse 77
11/16/92 Creighton 82, Cuban National Team 73
11/24/92 Creighton 93, Lee Jeans 86
11/19/93 Central Army Sports Club 92, Creighton 91
11/23/93 Team Pella 115, Creighton 99
11/15/94 Creighton 80, Dutch National Team 80 (OT)*
11/21/94 Creighton 88, Fort Hood 78
11/14/95 Creighton 77, Poznan 68
11/20/95 Creighton 76, Athletes in Action 66
11/11/96 Creighton 75, Hungary Select 60
11/17/96 Creighton 90, Dream Builders 70
11/05/97 Creighton 93, Lucenec-Slovenia 56
11/09/97 Creighton 97, Pella Windows 86
11/04/98 Creighton 96, Bulgaria 61
11/08/98 Creighton 80, Team Pella 77
11/09/99 Global Sports 77, Creighton 73
11/17/99 Creighton 75, Pella Windows 68
11/05/00 Global Sports 82, Creighton 74
11/12/00 Creighton 74, Nebraska-Omaha 53
11/06/01 Creighton 62, Nebraska-Omaha 53
11/13/01 Creighton 95, Global Sports 80
11/05/02 Creighton 75, Nebraska-Omaha 72
11/10/02 Creighton 83, Global Sports 61
11/09/03 Creighton 72, Nebraska-Omaha 66 (OT)
11/16/03 Global Sports 66, Creighton 65
11/11/04 Creighton 78, EA Sports 48
11/06/05 Creighton 74, EA Sports 67
11/13/05 Creighton 116, Nebraska-Kearney 82
11/02/06 Creighton 80, EA Sports 76 (OT)
11/08/06 Creighton 73, Nebraska-Omaha 56
*Creighton wins by forfeit when Dutch refuses to begin second overtime.
An Auspicious Beginning
Few could have predicted the ending Dana Altman had at his first game on the CU sideline. Creighton won the Nov. 15, 1994 exhibition game on a forfeit after the Dutch National Team refused to begin the second overtime.
The crowd for that contest was 3,834, a miniscule figure when you consider Creighton enters 2007-08 having played its last 75 regular-season home games before 8,000 fans or more.
Below is a short recap of that finish, as penned by then-SID Kevin Sarver:
“In a bizarre game of 67 fouls and 86 free throw attempts, the Dutch National Team refused to start the second overtime with the score tied 80-80 and, by walking off the floor and into the lockerroom, handed the Bluejays a forfeit victory. The Bluejays led 80-78 with 26 seconds remaining before Dutch forward Okke te Velde nailed a long jumper with seven seconds remaining. With no three-point signal from any of the three officials and without any stoppage of play, CU sophomore guard Troy Wharton took the inbounds pass and dribbled to the three-point arc but his shot bounced off the rim as the buzzer sounded. The Dutch team then argued Velde's shot was a three-pointer and that the game should be over. After a nearly 10-minute delay with the Bluejays at the center circle waiting to start the second overtime, the Dutch walked off the court ending the game.”
Who Are These Guys?
Program sales will be up as Creighton fans try to figure out who all the newcomers on the roster are this winter.
Creighton has just one regular starter back from last year, Dane Watts. The last time Creighton listed just one returning starter was all the way back in 1985-86, when Gary Swain was the lone returning starter.
Additionally, Creighton's returners accounted for just 44 games started last year. That's the fewest games started that are returning since at least the start of the 1980-81 campaign, as seen below:
Returning Returning Starts Final
Year Starters From Previous Year W-L
2007-08 1 44 ?
2006-07 4 120 22-11
2005-06 4 134 20-10
2004-05 2 58 23-11
2003-04 3 101 20-9
2002-03 5 159 29-5
2001-02 2 65 23-9
2000-01 3 90 24-8
1999-00 3 84 23-10
1998-99 3 84 22-9
1997-98 4 72 18-10
1996-97 4 126 15-15
1995-96 4 100 14-15
1994-95 2 52 7-19
1993-94 3 73 7-22
1992-93 2 64 8-18
1991-92 2 51 9-19
1990-91 4 132 24-8
1989-90 4 127 21-12
1988-89 4 123 20-11
1987-88 3 83 16-16
1986-87 2 65 9-19
1985-86 1 48 12-16
1984-85 4 124 20-12
1983-84 3 72 17-14
1982-83 3 77 8-19
1981-82 2 78 7-20
1980-81 4 112 21-9
Freshmen Starts Almost Unheard Of
If P'Allen Stinnett, Kaleb Korver, Kenny Lawson Jr., Casey Harriman, Kenton Walker or Aaron Brandt get a starting nod in Thursday's exhibition, they'll join some rare company. To find the last Creighton freshman to start the team's exhibition opener, you'd have to go all the way back to Nov. 14, 1988. That's when Latrell Wrightsell had eight points, four rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes of a 75-66 win over Turkey.
Even Ryan Sears, who started all 124 regular-season games of his illustrious career from 1997-2001, came off the bench for his exhibition debut before replacing Matt West in the second exhibition game of the 1997-98 campaign.
Sears remains the last CU freshman to start a Creighton regular-season opener, which he did in 1997's win over UMKC.
Newcomer Report
Four players made their debut in a Creighton uniform last year against EA Sports. Nick Bahe, Isacc Miles, Ty Morrison and Kenny Lawson Jr. combined for 16 points, 11 boards and three assists in 59 minutes of an 80-76 overtime win.
In the 2005 game against EA Sports, Nick Porter, Dominic Bishop, Josh Dotzler and Brice Nengsu combined for 11 points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal in 55 minutes of play.
In the Nov. 11, 2004 game against EA Sports, CU newcomers Jeffrey Day, Dennis Howard, Pierce Hibma and Dane Watts combined for 25 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in 64 minutes in a 78-48 win.
Preseason Poll
Creighton has been picked fourth in the preseason Missouri Valley Conference poll of coaches, beat writers, SID's and play-by-play men.
Southern Illinois was a unanimous selection with 39 first-place votes and a point total of 390. Bradley is second with 311 points while Missouri State is third with 283 points. Creighton comes in fourth with 266 points, just ahead of Illinois State's 235. Roudning out the bottom half is Wichita State (210), UNI (197), Indiana State (110), Drake (80) and Evansville (63).
The preseason all-MVC team does not include any Creighton players and is headed by preseason player of the year Randal Falker (Southern Illinois). Joining Falker on the first team are Eric Coleman (UNI), PJ Couisnard (Wichita State), Deven Mitchell (Missouri State) and Daniel Ruffin (Bradley). Honorable-mention picks include Jeremy Crouch (Bradley), Levi Dyer (Illinois State), Osiris Eldridge (Illinois State), Matt Shaw (Southern Illinois) and Bryan Mullins (Southern Illinois).
Redshirt Nation
Creighton redshirted four members of the team in 2006-07 who were able to practice with a Bluejay team that finished 22-11.
Chad Millard sat out as a transfer after playing in 2005-06 at Louisville. He has three years of eligibility left.
Kenny Lawson Jr. played in two November games, but was bothered by knee tendinitis the rest of the year. The freshman, who averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in two brief stints, retains four years of eligibility.
Two other freshmen did not play a single minute, Casey Harriman and Aaron Brandt. Both men will have four years left to play at Creighton.
10 Conference Wins, Again
Last year Creighton extended its MVC record by winning 10 or more league games for an 11th consecutive season. Prior to Dana Altman's arrival, the Bluejays had 10 or more conference wins in only six different seasons all-time.
On a national basis, the only teams with at least 11 straight years of 10 or more league wins are Arizona (22), South Carolina State (14), Stanford (13), Kansas (13) and Creighton (11).
20 Overall Wins x 9 Years = MVC History
Creighton is the only school in the 101-year history of the Missouri Valley Conference to post nine straight 20-win campaigns. No other school owns more than six straight.
Creighton is one of nine teams nationally with 20 or more wins in each of last nine seasons. That list consists of Arizona, Creighton, Duke, Florida, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kent State, Kentucky and Syracuse.
Postseason x 10
Creighton has made either the NIT or NCAA in 10 consecutive seasons, tied for the longest streak of postseason bids in MVC history. It matches the 10 straight from 1966 to 1975 by Louisville.
The only 12 schools to make the postseason in each of the last 10 years are Arizona, Creighton, Duke, Florida, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Stanford and Syracuse.
Creighton, which also boasts a men's soccer team with 15 straight NCAA appearances, is the nation's only school with 10 straight postseason appearances in both men's basketball and men's soccer.
Six Out Of Nine Tourney Titles
Creighton owns six league tournament titles in the last nine years. On a national basis, the only schools that can claim this are Gonzaga (8), Duke (7), Winthrop (7) and Creighton (6).
Creighton's 10 Valley Tournament titles are twice as many as the next closest school, Southern Illinois (5).
Jays Among Attendance Leaders
During the 2006-07 season, Creighton finished ranked 13th nationally in average attendance with 15,909 fans per game. Below is a list of the nation's attendance leaders, according to figures compiled by the NCAA.
2006-07 Attendance Leaders
Rk. School Avg.
1. Kentucky 23,421
2. Syracuse 21,516
3. North Carolina 20,693
4. Tennessee 19,661
5. Louisville 18,488
6. Ohio State 17,530
7. Wisconsin 17,190
8. Maryland 16,822
9. Arkansas 16,720
10. Illinois 16,618
11. Indiana 16,474
12. Kansas 16,300
13. Creighton 15,909
14. Marquette 15,345
15. Michigan State 14,759
MVC's Top Crowds Ever
Creighton has set MVC attendance records each of the past two seasons. In 2005-06 the program attracted a league-record 236,313 fans, smashing the previous league mark of 192,258 the Bluejays set in 2003-04. Last season, Creighton set a mark with 15,909 fans per average home game.
Below are the top average home attendance totals in MVC history.
Ave. Att. School Year
15,909 Creighton 2006-07
13,901 Creighton 2005-06
13,674 Louisville 1974-75
12,016 Creighton 2003-04
12,009 Louisville 1967-68
Nothing Mid-Major About The Valley
The 2006-07 campaign marked the ninth consecutive season that the Missouri Valley Conference has had multiple bids to the NCAA Tournament, as two teams were in the Big Dance.
The only leagues to send at least two teams to the last nine NCAA Tourney's (since 1998-99) are the ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, MVC, SEC and Pac-10.
Consistent Challengers
One of the most impressive facets of the Dana Altman tenure is how often his teams have been in the running for the MVC regular-season title. Eight of his last 10 teams have finished either first or second in The Valley, and the two that didn't both won the MVC Tournament.
The Bluejays won the MVC in 2000-01 and tied for the title in 2001-02. CU was second in the MVC in 1997-98 and 2006-07, tied for second in the MVC in 1998-99, 2003-04 and 2005-06, and finished tied for third in 2004-05. The 1999-00 club was fourth in the MVC, but won the MVC Tournament.
Creighton's MVC Finishes, Last 10 Years
1st Place 2000-01
Tied for First 2001-02 (won MVC Tourn.)
2nd Place 1997-98, 2002-03 (won MVC Tourn.), 2006-07 (won MVC Tourn.)
Tied for 2nd 1998-99 (won MVC Tourn.), 2003-04, 2005-06
Tied for 3rd Place 2004-05 (won MVC Tourn.)
4th Place 1999-00 (won MVC Tourn.)
Jays Move On Without Sextet
Creighton opens the season without six players who finished the season on last year's squad.
Two-time all-Valley guard Nate Funk graduated last May after averaging 17.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last year. He ranks sixth in school history with 1,754 career points and eighth with 323 career assists. He is currently playing in Germany.
All-MVC center Anthony Tolliver earned his degree last May after averaging 13.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Tolliver ranks 31st in CU history with 1,004 career points. He made the Opening Day roster for the NBA's reigning Eastern Conference champions as an undrafted free agent.
Nick Porter earned his degree last August after averaging 10.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for Creighton last year. Porter scored 642 points and grabbed 333 rebounds in two seasons with the Jays. Porter is playing for the EA Sports All-Stars.
Manny Gakou earned his degree in May after averaging 1.1 points and 0.8 rebounds per game as a reserve center. Gakou had 43 points and 35 rebounds in 45 career games at Creighton.
Two other players from last year have transferred out of the program to continue their careers elsewhere. Guard Isacc Miles is sitting out the season as a transfer to Murray State in Murray, Ky., while guard Brice Nengsu is now at Division II Angelo State in San Angelo, Texas.
November Reign
Creighton is 30-3 in regular-season November games since the start of the 1998-99 campaign.
Television Records
Creighton is a combined 67-38 in televised games in the previous five seasons, including a 25-15 mark on KMTV-produced games (which does not include CU's record in NCAA Tournament games on KMTV). Creighton went 4-2 in games aired on KMTV in 2002-03, 6-3 in 2003-04, 4-5 in 2004-05, 5-3 in 2005-06 and 6-2 in 2006-07 in KMTV-produced games.
The Jays are also 31-20 in games that air regionally or nationally in that time, including a 19-11 mark on MVC TV.
Creighton had 28-of-33 games on television last season. A minimum of 20, and possibly as many as 22, games are slated for television this season.
Army of Iowans
Every Creighton team since 1988-89 has had at least one Iowa native, and this season is no exception. Creighton has four players from Iowa on this season's team, continuing a long trend of relying on some of the Hawkeye State's top preps. CU's native Iowans this season include senior Pierce Hibma (Pella), junior Dustin Sitzmann (LeMars) and freshmen Casey Harriman (Ida Grove) and Kaleb Korver (Pella). Other past notable Iowans include Kyle Korver (Pella), Ryan Sears (Ankeny), Brody Deren (Harlan), Tyler McKinney (Urbandale), Nate Funk (Sioux City) and Michael Lindeman (Iowa Falls).
Creighton has played at least one Iowa native in 409 straight games. That streak dates to a Feb. 5, 1994 win against Wichita State when Rick Johnson was the Bluejay coach.
Altman Passing Coaching Legends
Dana Altman continues to pass some of the coaching greats in MVC history in two categories. Altman's 260 wins at Creighton are third in MVC history, while his 148 triumphs in regular-season conference games have allowed him to pass Phog Allen for third in league history.
Both men above him, Henry Iba and Eddie Hickey, are in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Coaches--Most Wins As MVC Member--All Games
Wins Coach School(s)
1. 486 Henry Iba Oklahoma A&M
2. 337 Eddie Hickey Creighton & St. Louis
3. 260 Dana Altman Creighton
MVC Coaches--Most Wins In Conference Games
Wins Coach School(s)
1. 187 Henry Iba Oklahoma A&M
2. 163 Eddie Hickey Creighton & St. Louis
3. 148 Dana Altman Creighton
4. 126 Phog Allen Kansas
Five Figure Crowds
Creighton hosted 17,607 fans for its Feb. 17, 2007 home game versus Drexel. Not only was it the largest home crowd in Creighton history, but for any basketball game in state history as well.
Creighton has played 75 straight home games in front of crowds of 8,000 fans or more and 44 in a row at home before 10,000 fans or more.
By comparison, Creighton had a total of 39,093 home fans in Dana Altman's first year on the Hilltop, an average of 2,792 per game.
10 Largest Home Crowds, Creighton & State History
Att. Opp. Result Date
17,607 Drexel L 58-64 02/17/07
17,459 Southern Illinois L 57-58 01/20/07
17,283 Indiana State W 71-55 01/27/07
17,110 Wichita State W 71-54 02/24/07
16,339 Bradley W 65-54 01/18/07
16,315 Drake W 79-56 01/09/07
15,872 #24 Xavier W 73-67 12/09/06
15,700 Fresno State W 67-62 02/18/06
15,684 Missouri State W 77-74 12/30/06
15,678 Wichita State W 57-55 01/28/06
Qwest To Be The Best
Creighton's has played 63 regular and post-season contests at Qwest Center Omaha all-time. The Bluejays own a 52-11 (.825) record all-time at the facility, including a perfect 13-0 figure on Wednesday's. The 11 losses have been by a combined 49 points. CU has outscored its opponents 4,525-3,820 in games at Qwest Center Omaha, an average victory margin of 11.2 points per game.
Long-Distance Streaks Alive
Creighton has made at least one trifecta in a league-best 433 straight games since a 59-53 loss at Illinois St. on Feb. 20, 1993 when Rick Johnson was coach.
Creighton had its streak of 408 straight games with two or more treys snapped on Jan. 20 against Southern Illinois when it finished 1-of-8 from downtown.
Ticket Information
Single-game tickets go on sale on Nov. 7th. Fans can purchase tickets in advance at Qwest Center Omaha Box Office, the Omaha Civic Auditorium Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations (Baker's, Younkers), Ticketmaster online at http://www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster and charging by phone at (402) 422-1212. Only upper bowl seats will be available for any game and cost is $11 for adults and $7 for youth ages 3-18 (children two and under are free). For more information, call the Creighton Ticket Office at (402) 280-JAYS.
As of October 30th, Creighton had already sold an estimating 12,800 season tickets for this season. The previous mark was the 12,126 season-tickets bought for the 2006-07 season.
Shuttle Service To Qwest Center Omaha
Metro Area Transit and Creighton University have partnered again this year to provide shuttle bus service from the CU campus to Qwest Center Omaha for all men's basketball home games this season.
The service is available to all fans, not just Creighton students. Round-trip cost is $1.00 for Creighton students with identification; $1.00 for children under the age of 18; $1.00 for senior citizens and $2.00 for adults. The shuttle will start one-hour before tip-off and at least two buses will continue to operate the route during the game.
The designated stops for pick-up around the CU campus are: 24th and Cuming (farside/southbound); 24th & California (nearside/southbound); 20th & Cass (nearside/eastbound) and 18th & Cass (nearside/eastbound by the Morrison Stadium). The shuttle will then go eastbound on Capitol Avenue and then go north up 10th Street for drop-off at the Qwest Center Omaha Arena entrance.
The route is designed for each shuttle driver to make a roundtrip every 15 minutes. Following the game's conclusion, the shuttle will start at the Qwest Center Omaha Arena entrance on 10th Street and loop the original route with the first of four stops at 24th & Cuming Streets.
Creighton opens the 2007-08 exhibition season with a game on Thursday, Nov. 1 vs. EA Sports All-Stars. Tip-off on First National Bank Court at Qwest Center Omaha is set for 7:05 p.m.
Prior to the game the Creighton women's basketball team will host its exhibition opener against Central Missouri, starting at 5 pm.
Radio Broadcast Information
KXSP (“Big Sports 590” AM) will broadcast all Creighton men's basketball games during the 2007-08 season. The audio is also webcast live at www.bigsports590.com. T. Scott Marr and Travis Justice will call the action.
For regular-season home games, Big Sports 590 afternoon host Matt Perrault will host a call-in show focusing on the Bluejays, starting at 6 pm that leads into the pre-game show. Perrault will also take calls after the game, also on Big Sports 590.
Television Broadcast Information
Thursday's game will not be televised.
Video Webcast Available
Creighton University Athletics, Jump TV and Cox High Speed Internet will present a live, pay-per-view video webcast of at least 14 games this season. To sign up for the video webcast, fans can register by going directly to http://www.gocreighton.com. Cost for a season pass is $59.95. Single games are available for $6.95 each.
Once registered, fans will only need to log-in with their password on game night. The video stream, which will include an audio simulcast of the Big Sports 590 broadcast, begins 30 minutes before tipoff featuring live video of Qwest Center Omaha and the audio of the Big Sports 590 pre-game show.
In order to view the webcast, users must have high speed Internet access (cable modem or DSL service) and Windows Media Player version 9.0 or above.
Live Stats Information
All Creighton home basketball games will have live stats this season. Fans can go to www.gocreighton.com and click on the Live Stats tab on the left-hand side of the page.
Scouting Creighton
Creighton returns six lettermen and one starter from last year's team that finished 22-11 and advanced to its seventh NCAA Tournament in the past nine seasons.
Senior forward Dane Watts, owner of 86 consecutive starts, is by far the most experienced player on the roster. Watts averaged 9.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last year, easily tops among Bluejay returnees.
Other seniors with experience include guards Nick Bahe (3.0 ppg., 1.6 rpg.) and Pierce Hibma (1.8 ppg., 1.5 rpg.).
Junior Josh Dotzler looks to regain his starting job at the point guard spot after an injury-plagued 18 months. Dotzler averaged 2.2 points and 2.0 assists per game last year while playing 19.1 minutes per game.
Other lettermen that return to the fold are reserve guard Dustin Sitzmann and medical redshirt Kenny Lawson Jr. A freshman center, Lawson averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in two games before knee tendinitis cut his season short.
Three other players redshirted last season but had the opportunity to practice and learn the system, sophomore transfer Chad Millard as well as freshmen Casey Harriman and Aaron Brandt.
A highly-regarded recruiting class will be given the opportunity to contribute as well. Junior college transfers Cavel Witter and Booker Woodfox join freshmen Kaleb Korver, P'Allen Stinnett and Kenton Walker on one of Creighton's youngest teams in memory.
Scouting EA Sports All-Stars
EA Sports All-Stars is a group of former college standouts that is coached by Maury Hanks. Thursday's game will be the second on a four-game tour, which also includes games against Utah State (Oct. 31), Iowa State (Nov. 4) and LSU (Nov. 6).
Among the players on the preliminary roster are former Creighton guard Nick Porter (2004-07). Also on the team are Roberto Bergersen (Boise State), Mitchell Baldwin (Charlotte), Jason Forte (Southern Miss), Elvin Mims (Southern Miss), Earnest Scott (Valdosta State), Dalron Johnson (UNLV), Lance Allred (Weber State) and Cory Violette (Gonzaga).
The Coaches
The dean of Missouri Valley Conference coaches, Creighton's Dana Altman (Eastern New Mexico, 1980) enters his 14th year as head coach of the Bluejays. He owns a 260-141 (.648) mark at CU and a career record of 343-208 (.623) in 18 previous years as an NCAA Division I head coach.
Creighton's all-time winningest coach, Altman has been named national, conference, regional or district coach of the year in 10 of his 22 previous years as a head coach. The 2001 and 2002 MVC Coach of the Year was a finalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year Award in 2003. In 2004, Altman was named the Collegeinsider.com Jim Phelan National Mid-Season Coach of the Year. In March, 2007, Altman was named a coach on the MVC's All-Centennial Team.
Additionally, Altman has led Creighton to seven NCAA Tournaments and his teams have played in the postseason in 10 straight seasons. He is assisted by Brian Fish, Darian DeVries and Mike Maker. Nick Earnest is the team's film coordinator.
EA Sports is led by Maury Hanks. Hanks is also the Special Assistant to the General Manager for the New Jersey Nets. Hanks spent seven years as an assistant coach at UC Santa Barbara, Clemson, San Diego State and Drake.
The Series With Global Sports/EA Sports
Creighton has played EA Sports (formerly known as Global Sports) in each of the last eight seasons, with Creighton owning a 5-3 lead. Last season Creighton won 80-76 in overtime before a CU exhibition game record 12,973 fans.
Last Meeting With EA Sports Recap
Anthony Tolliver had 24 points, eight rebounds and a pair of game-winning free throws with 20 seconds left in overtime, lifting Creighton past EA Sports, 80-76, in overtime last year. Tolliver also blocked the potential game-winning three-pointer with less than five seconds left on the clock to seal the exhibition win.
Nate Funk added 15 points, five assists and four rebounds in his first action in 11 months, while EA Sports was led by 20 points and nine rebounds from Jason Forte.
Last Season Recap
Led by seniors Nate Funk, Manny Gakou, Nick Porter and Anthony Tolliver, Creighton went 22-11 and advanced to its seventh NCAA Tournament in the past nine years last winter.
Creighton was ranked a best-ever 19th in the preseason Associated Press poll last year, but lost several games early and was just 4-3 before a second-place finish in Honolulu at the Rainbow Classic.
The Bluejays would then open MVC play with a 5-1 record, eventually finishing second with a 13-5 league mark.
The second-seeded Bluejays then won the State Farm MVC Tournament in St. Louis with victories over Indiana State, Missouri State and #11 Southern Illinois, earning a 10-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Funk, Tolliver and Porter were all named to the all-Tournament Team.
Shipped to New Orleans, La., to take on #15 Nevada, Creighton dropped a 77-71 overtime game to the Wolf Pack in the first round of the NCAA's.
Funk and Tolliver gave Creighton its first pair of first-team all-MVC teammates since 1991. Funk led the Jays in scoring (17.7 ppg.) and assists (3.0 apg.), while Tolliver topped the team in rebounding (6.7 rpg.) and blocked shots (1.72 bpg.).
Creighton were 15th nationally with its school-record 75.4 percent accuracy at the free-throw line and ranked 23rd nationally, allowing just 60.9 points per game. The Jays also ranked 13th nationally with an MVC-record 15,909 fans per game.
The 2006-07 campaign marked Creighton's 10th-straight postseason bid and ninth-straight 20-win season.
Canada Trip Recap
Creighton spent Labor Day weekend in Calgary, winning five games in three days. Creighton beat Saskatchewan twice (87-82 and 92-66), Calgary (85-77 and 97-78) and Lethbridge once (88-49).
Eleven different Creighton players started at least once, and all 14 Jays scored at least nine points over the course of the weekend.
Dane Watts led Creighton in scoring with 16.0 points per game while also adding 6.4 rebounds per contest. Kenny Lawson Jr. averaged 14.0 points and led the team with 6.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocked shots per game. Josh Dotzler paced the club with 19 assists and 14 steals.
The foreign trip, which is allowed once every four years, was Creighton's first since the 2003-04 trip to Vancouver. That Creighton team opened the season 12-0.
Rule Changes
Several rules have been amended for the 2007-08 basketball season. Below is a list that affect the men's game:
- Courtside Monitor. Rule 2-5.1.a. The officials shall use the monitor to assess the situation when a fight is declared. Rationale: Officials are currently allowed to use the monitor, but this will require review of a fight situation to ensure that all unsportsmanlike behavior is addressed.
- Courtside Monitor. Rule 2-5.1. The officials may use the courtside television monitor, when available, to determine whether or not a flagrant foul occurred. Rationale: The official is not allowed to go to the monitor for a flagrant foul now if the situation has been deemed a fight.
- Back Panel of Uniform. Rule 3-5.1. When a back shoulder panel is used, it shall extend no more than 3 inches from the shoulder seam, may be arched or horizontal. Rationale: This allows another area for creativity in uniform designs without affecting the visibility of the number.
- Uniform Patches. Rule 3-5.7. Any commemorative/memorial patches worn on the uniform shall be a maximum of 2 1⁄4 square inches. Rationale: No size restrictions currently exist.
- Uniform Patch Placement. Rule 3-5.7. A single commemorative/memorial patch, flag, institutional or conference logo or mascot may be worn at the center of the neckline or apex on the back of the game jersey. Rationale: No patch, flag or logo is currently allowed on this area.
- Hair Control Devices. Rule 3-5.15. Any item that goes around the head, including headbands or hair control devices, shall be of a single solid color, no more than 2 inches wide with only one institutional or manufacturer's logo and the dominant color of the game jersey or white, black or beige (women only). Hard items including but not limited to barrettes, beads and bobby pins are prohibited. Rationale: This makes hair control devices consistent with the headband rule and adds beige and black as possible colors.
- Throw-In Ends. Rule 4-65.5. A throw-in shall end when a passed ball is touched inbounds or out-of-bounds by another player on the playing court, before going out-of-bounds. Rationale: This makes the end of throw-ins consistent.
- Free-Throw Alignment. Rule 8-1.4. To eliminate the first lane space nearest the basket on each side of the lane and using the present second, third and fourth lane space on each side of the lane as an alignment for free throws. Rationale: The players will be further from the basket during a free throw and will help eliminate the defensive player from ending up under the basket.
- Three-Point Line. Rule 1-7. Effective for the 2008-09 (not 2007-08) season, the three-point line distance be changed to 20 feet, 9 inches. Rationale: This will allow for better court spacing and open up the lane for a free-flowing game.
Recent Exhibition History
Creighton is 31-6 since 1987 in exhibition games, including a 22-3 record with Dana Altman as head coach. The only team to beat Altman in an exhibition setting has been Global Sports, which merged four years ago and changed their name to EA Sports.
Date Score
11/16/87 Creighton 82, DTV Charlottenburgh 77
11/13/88 Creighton 75, Turkey 66
11/10/89 Creighton 92, Athletes in Action 70
11/16/89 Brazil 93, Creighton 90
11/06/90 Creighton 89, Athletes in Action 82
11/15/90 Creighton 89, Russian Ukraine Nat. Team 71
11/05/91 Creighton 90, Ukraine National Team 89
11/19/91 Creighton 87, Ath. Fighting Substance Abuse 77
11/16/92 Creighton 82, Cuban National Team 73
11/24/92 Creighton 93, Lee Jeans 86
11/19/93 Central Army Sports Club 92, Creighton 91
11/23/93 Team Pella 115, Creighton 99
11/15/94 Creighton 80, Dutch National Team 80 (OT)*
11/21/94 Creighton 88, Fort Hood 78
11/14/95 Creighton 77, Poznan 68
11/20/95 Creighton 76, Athletes in Action 66
11/11/96 Creighton 75, Hungary Select 60
11/17/96 Creighton 90, Dream Builders 70
11/05/97 Creighton 93, Lucenec-Slovenia 56
11/09/97 Creighton 97, Pella Windows 86
11/04/98 Creighton 96, Bulgaria 61
11/08/98 Creighton 80, Team Pella 77
11/09/99 Global Sports 77, Creighton 73
11/17/99 Creighton 75, Pella Windows 68
11/05/00 Global Sports 82, Creighton 74
11/12/00 Creighton 74, Nebraska-Omaha 53
11/06/01 Creighton 62, Nebraska-Omaha 53
11/13/01 Creighton 95, Global Sports 80
11/05/02 Creighton 75, Nebraska-Omaha 72
11/10/02 Creighton 83, Global Sports 61
11/09/03 Creighton 72, Nebraska-Omaha 66 (OT)
11/16/03 Global Sports 66, Creighton 65
11/11/04 Creighton 78, EA Sports 48
11/06/05 Creighton 74, EA Sports 67
11/13/05 Creighton 116, Nebraska-Kearney 82
11/02/06 Creighton 80, EA Sports 76 (OT)
11/08/06 Creighton 73, Nebraska-Omaha 56
*Creighton wins by forfeit when Dutch refuses to begin second overtime.
An Auspicious Beginning
Few could have predicted the ending Dana Altman had at his first game on the CU sideline. Creighton won the Nov. 15, 1994 exhibition game on a forfeit after the Dutch National Team refused to begin the second overtime.
The crowd for that contest was 3,834, a miniscule figure when you consider Creighton enters 2007-08 having played its last 75 regular-season home games before 8,000 fans or more.
Below is a short recap of that finish, as penned by then-SID Kevin Sarver:
“In a bizarre game of 67 fouls and 86 free throw attempts, the Dutch National Team refused to start the second overtime with the score tied 80-80 and, by walking off the floor and into the lockerroom, handed the Bluejays a forfeit victory. The Bluejays led 80-78 with 26 seconds remaining before Dutch forward Okke te Velde nailed a long jumper with seven seconds remaining. With no three-point signal from any of the three officials and without any stoppage of play, CU sophomore guard Troy Wharton took the inbounds pass and dribbled to the three-point arc but his shot bounced off the rim as the buzzer sounded. The Dutch team then argued Velde's shot was a three-pointer and that the game should be over. After a nearly 10-minute delay with the Bluejays at the center circle waiting to start the second overtime, the Dutch walked off the court ending the game.”
Who Are These Guys?
Program sales will be up as Creighton fans try to figure out who all the newcomers on the roster are this winter.
Creighton has just one regular starter back from last year, Dane Watts. The last time Creighton listed just one returning starter was all the way back in 1985-86, when Gary Swain was the lone returning starter.
Additionally, Creighton's returners accounted for just 44 games started last year. That's the fewest games started that are returning since at least the start of the 1980-81 campaign, as seen below:
Returning Returning Starts Final
Year Starters From Previous Year W-L
2007-08 1 44 ?
2006-07 4 120 22-11
2005-06 4 134 20-10
2004-05 2 58 23-11
2003-04 3 101 20-9
2002-03 5 159 29-5
2001-02 2 65 23-9
2000-01 3 90 24-8
1999-00 3 84 23-10
1998-99 3 84 22-9
1997-98 4 72 18-10
1996-97 4 126 15-15
1995-96 4 100 14-15
1994-95 2 52 7-19
1993-94 3 73 7-22
1992-93 2 64 8-18
1991-92 2 51 9-19
1990-91 4 132 24-8
1989-90 4 127 21-12
1988-89 4 123 20-11
1987-88 3 83 16-16
1986-87 2 65 9-19
1985-86 1 48 12-16
1984-85 4 124 20-12
1983-84 3 72 17-14
1982-83 3 77 8-19
1981-82 2 78 7-20
1980-81 4 112 21-9
Freshmen Starts Almost Unheard Of
If P'Allen Stinnett, Kaleb Korver, Kenny Lawson Jr., Casey Harriman, Kenton Walker or Aaron Brandt get a starting nod in Thursday's exhibition, they'll join some rare company. To find the last Creighton freshman to start the team's exhibition opener, you'd have to go all the way back to Nov. 14, 1988. That's when Latrell Wrightsell had eight points, four rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes of a 75-66 win over Turkey.
Even Ryan Sears, who started all 124 regular-season games of his illustrious career from 1997-2001, came off the bench for his exhibition debut before replacing Matt West in the second exhibition game of the 1997-98 campaign.
Sears remains the last CU freshman to start a Creighton regular-season opener, which he did in 1997's win over UMKC.
Newcomer Report
Four players made their debut in a Creighton uniform last year against EA Sports. Nick Bahe, Isacc Miles, Ty Morrison and Kenny Lawson Jr. combined for 16 points, 11 boards and three assists in 59 minutes of an 80-76 overtime win.
In the 2005 game against EA Sports, Nick Porter, Dominic Bishop, Josh Dotzler and Brice Nengsu combined for 11 points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal in 55 minutes of play.
In the Nov. 11, 2004 game against EA Sports, CU newcomers Jeffrey Day, Dennis Howard, Pierce Hibma and Dane Watts combined for 25 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in 64 minutes in a 78-48 win.
Preseason Poll
Creighton has been picked fourth in the preseason Missouri Valley Conference poll of coaches, beat writers, SID's and play-by-play men.
Southern Illinois was a unanimous selection with 39 first-place votes and a point total of 390. Bradley is second with 311 points while Missouri State is third with 283 points. Creighton comes in fourth with 266 points, just ahead of Illinois State's 235. Roudning out the bottom half is Wichita State (210), UNI (197), Indiana State (110), Drake (80) and Evansville (63).
The preseason all-MVC team does not include any Creighton players and is headed by preseason player of the year Randal Falker (Southern Illinois). Joining Falker on the first team are Eric Coleman (UNI), PJ Couisnard (Wichita State), Deven Mitchell (Missouri State) and Daniel Ruffin (Bradley). Honorable-mention picks include Jeremy Crouch (Bradley), Levi Dyer (Illinois State), Osiris Eldridge (Illinois State), Matt Shaw (Southern Illinois) and Bryan Mullins (Southern Illinois).
Redshirt Nation
Creighton redshirted four members of the team in 2006-07 who were able to practice with a Bluejay team that finished 22-11.
Chad Millard sat out as a transfer after playing in 2005-06 at Louisville. He has three years of eligibility left.
Kenny Lawson Jr. played in two November games, but was bothered by knee tendinitis the rest of the year. The freshman, who averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in two brief stints, retains four years of eligibility.
Two other freshmen did not play a single minute, Casey Harriman and Aaron Brandt. Both men will have four years left to play at Creighton.
10 Conference Wins, Again
Last year Creighton extended its MVC record by winning 10 or more league games for an 11th consecutive season. Prior to Dana Altman's arrival, the Bluejays had 10 or more conference wins in only six different seasons all-time.
On a national basis, the only teams with at least 11 straight years of 10 or more league wins are Arizona (22), South Carolina State (14), Stanford (13), Kansas (13) and Creighton (11).
20 Overall Wins x 9 Years = MVC History
Creighton is the only school in the 101-year history of the Missouri Valley Conference to post nine straight 20-win campaigns. No other school owns more than six straight.
Creighton is one of nine teams nationally with 20 or more wins in each of last nine seasons. That list consists of Arizona, Creighton, Duke, Florida, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kent State, Kentucky and Syracuse.
Postseason x 10
Creighton has made either the NIT or NCAA in 10 consecutive seasons, tied for the longest streak of postseason bids in MVC history. It matches the 10 straight from 1966 to 1975 by Louisville.
The only 12 schools to make the postseason in each of the last 10 years are Arizona, Creighton, Duke, Florida, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Stanford and Syracuse.
Creighton, which also boasts a men's soccer team with 15 straight NCAA appearances, is the nation's only school with 10 straight postseason appearances in both men's basketball and men's soccer.
Six Out Of Nine Tourney Titles
Creighton owns six league tournament titles in the last nine years. On a national basis, the only schools that can claim this are Gonzaga (8), Duke (7), Winthrop (7) and Creighton (6).
Creighton's 10 Valley Tournament titles are twice as many as the next closest school, Southern Illinois (5).
Jays Among Attendance Leaders
During the 2006-07 season, Creighton finished ranked 13th nationally in average attendance with 15,909 fans per game. Below is a list of the nation's attendance leaders, according to figures compiled by the NCAA.
2006-07 Attendance Leaders
Rk. School Avg.
1. Kentucky 23,421
2. Syracuse 21,516
3. North Carolina 20,693
4. Tennessee 19,661
5. Louisville 18,488
6. Ohio State 17,530
7. Wisconsin 17,190
8. Maryland 16,822
9. Arkansas 16,720
10. Illinois 16,618
11. Indiana 16,474
12. Kansas 16,300
13. Creighton 15,909
14. Marquette 15,345
15. Michigan State 14,759
MVC's Top Crowds Ever
Creighton has set MVC attendance records each of the past two seasons. In 2005-06 the program attracted a league-record 236,313 fans, smashing the previous league mark of 192,258 the Bluejays set in 2003-04. Last season, Creighton set a mark with 15,909 fans per average home game.
Below are the top average home attendance totals in MVC history.
Ave. Att. School Year
15,909 Creighton 2006-07
13,901 Creighton 2005-06
13,674 Louisville 1974-75
12,016 Creighton 2003-04
12,009 Louisville 1967-68
Nothing Mid-Major About The Valley
The 2006-07 campaign marked the ninth consecutive season that the Missouri Valley Conference has had multiple bids to the NCAA Tournament, as two teams were in the Big Dance.
The only leagues to send at least two teams to the last nine NCAA Tourney's (since 1998-99) are the ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, MVC, SEC and Pac-10.
Consistent Challengers
One of the most impressive facets of the Dana Altman tenure is how often his teams have been in the running for the MVC regular-season title. Eight of his last 10 teams have finished either first or second in The Valley, and the two that didn't both won the MVC Tournament.
The Bluejays won the MVC in 2000-01 and tied for the title in 2001-02. CU was second in the MVC in 1997-98 and 2006-07, tied for second in the MVC in 1998-99, 2003-04 and 2005-06, and finished tied for third in 2004-05. The 1999-00 club was fourth in the MVC, but won the MVC Tournament.
Creighton's MVC Finishes, Last 10 Years
1st Place 2000-01
Tied for First 2001-02 (won MVC Tourn.)
2nd Place 1997-98, 2002-03 (won MVC Tourn.), 2006-07 (won MVC Tourn.)
Tied for 2nd 1998-99 (won MVC Tourn.), 2003-04, 2005-06
Tied for 3rd Place 2004-05 (won MVC Tourn.)
4th Place 1999-00 (won MVC Tourn.)
Jays Move On Without Sextet
Creighton opens the season without six players who finished the season on last year's squad.
Two-time all-Valley guard Nate Funk graduated last May after averaging 17.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last year. He ranks sixth in school history with 1,754 career points and eighth with 323 career assists. He is currently playing in Germany.
All-MVC center Anthony Tolliver earned his degree last May after averaging 13.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Tolliver ranks 31st in CU history with 1,004 career points. He made the Opening Day roster for the NBA's reigning Eastern Conference champions as an undrafted free agent.
Nick Porter earned his degree last August after averaging 10.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for Creighton last year. Porter scored 642 points and grabbed 333 rebounds in two seasons with the Jays. Porter is playing for the EA Sports All-Stars.
Manny Gakou earned his degree in May after averaging 1.1 points and 0.8 rebounds per game as a reserve center. Gakou had 43 points and 35 rebounds in 45 career games at Creighton.
Two other players from last year have transferred out of the program to continue their careers elsewhere. Guard Isacc Miles is sitting out the season as a transfer to Murray State in Murray, Ky., while guard Brice Nengsu is now at Division II Angelo State in San Angelo, Texas.
November Reign
Creighton is 30-3 in regular-season November games since the start of the 1998-99 campaign.
Television Records
Creighton is a combined 67-38 in televised games in the previous five seasons, including a 25-15 mark on KMTV-produced games (which does not include CU's record in NCAA Tournament games on KMTV). Creighton went 4-2 in games aired on KMTV in 2002-03, 6-3 in 2003-04, 4-5 in 2004-05, 5-3 in 2005-06 and 6-2 in 2006-07 in KMTV-produced games.
The Jays are also 31-20 in games that air regionally or nationally in that time, including a 19-11 mark on MVC TV.
Creighton had 28-of-33 games on television last season. A minimum of 20, and possibly as many as 22, games are slated for television this season.
Army of Iowans
Every Creighton team since 1988-89 has had at least one Iowa native, and this season is no exception. Creighton has four players from Iowa on this season's team, continuing a long trend of relying on some of the Hawkeye State's top preps. CU's native Iowans this season include senior Pierce Hibma (Pella), junior Dustin Sitzmann (LeMars) and freshmen Casey Harriman (Ida Grove) and Kaleb Korver (Pella). Other past notable Iowans include Kyle Korver (Pella), Ryan Sears (Ankeny), Brody Deren (Harlan), Tyler McKinney (Urbandale), Nate Funk (Sioux City) and Michael Lindeman (Iowa Falls).
Creighton has played at least one Iowa native in 409 straight games. That streak dates to a Feb. 5, 1994 win against Wichita State when Rick Johnson was the Bluejay coach.
Altman Passing Coaching Legends
Dana Altman continues to pass some of the coaching greats in MVC history in two categories. Altman's 260 wins at Creighton are third in MVC history, while his 148 triumphs in regular-season conference games have allowed him to pass Phog Allen for third in league history.
Both men above him, Henry Iba and Eddie Hickey, are in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Coaches--Most Wins As MVC Member--All Games
Wins Coach School(s)
1. 486 Henry Iba Oklahoma A&M
2. 337 Eddie Hickey Creighton & St. Louis
3. 260 Dana Altman Creighton
MVC Coaches--Most Wins In Conference Games
Wins Coach School(s)
1. 187 Henry Iba Oklahoma A&M
2. 163 Eddie Hickey Creighton & St. Louis
3. 148 Dana Altman Creighton
4. 126 Phog Allen Kansas
Five Figure Crowds
Creighton hosted 17,607 fans for its Feb. 17, 2007 home game versus Drexel. Not only was it the largest home crowd in Creighton history, but for any basketball game in state history as well.
Creighton has played 75 straight home games in front of crowds of 8,000 fans or more and 44 in a row at home before 10,000 fans or more.
By comparison, Creighton had a total of 39,093 home fans in Dana Altman's first year on the Hilltop, an average of 2,792 per game.
10 Largest Home Crowds, Creighton & State History
Att. Opp. Result Date
17,607 Drexel L 58-64 02/17/07
17,459 Southern Illinois L 57-58 01/20/07
17,283 Indiana State W 71-55 01/27/07
17,110 Wichita State W 71-54 02/24/07
16,339 Bradley W 65-54 01/18/07
16,315 Drake W 79-56 01/09/07
15,872 #24 Xavier W 73-67 12/09/06
15,700 Fresno State W 67-62 02/18/06
15,684 Missouri State W 77-74 12/30/06
15,678 Wichita State W 57-55 01/28/06
Qwest To Be The Best
Creighton's has played 63 regular and post-season contests at Qwest Center Omaha all-time. The Bluejays own a 52-11 (.825) record all-time at the facility, including a perfect 13-0 figure on Wednesday's. The 11 losses have been by a combined 49 points. CU has outscored its opponents 4,525-3,820 in games at Qwest Center Omaha, an average victory margin of 11.2 points per game.
Long-Distance Streaks Alive
Creighton has made at least one trifecta in a league-best 433 straight games since a 59-53 loss at Illinois St. on Feb. 20, 1993 when Rick Johnson was coach.
Creighton had its streak of 408 straight games with two or more treys snapped on Jan. 20 against Southern Illinois when it finished 1-of-8 from downtown.
Ticket Information
Single-game tickets go on sale on Nov. 7th. Fans can purchase tickets in advance at Qwest Center Omaha Box Office, the Omaha Civic Auditorium Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations (Baker's, Younkers), Ticketmaster online at http://www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster and charging by phone at (402) 422-1212. Only upper bowl seats will be available for any game and cost is $11 for adults and $7 for youth ages 3-18 (children two and under are free). For more information, call the Creighton Ticket Office at (402) 280-JAYS.
As of October 30th, Creighton had already sold an estimating 12,800 season tickets for this season. The previous mark was the 12,126 season-tickets bought for the 2006-07 season.
Shuttle Service To Qwest Center Omaha
Metro Area Transit and Creighton University have partnered again this year to provide shuttle bus service from the CU campus to Qwest Center Omaha for all men's basketball home games this season.
The service is available to all fans, not just Creighton students. Round-trip cost is $1.00 for Creighton students with identification; $1.00 for children under the age of 18; $1.00 for senior citizens and $2.00 for adults. The shuttle will start one-hour before tip-off and at least two buses will continue to operate the route during the game.
The designated stops for pick-up around the CU campus are: 24th and Cuming (farside/southbound); 24th & California (nearside/southbound); 20th & Cass (nearside/eastbound) and 18th & Cass (nearside/eastbound by the Morrison Stadium). The shuttle will then go eastbound on Capitol Avenue and then go north up 10th Street for drop-off at the Qwest Center Omaha Arena entrance.
The route is designed for each shuttle driver to make a roundtrip every 15 minutes. Following the game's conclusion, the shuttle will start at the Qwest Center Omaha Arena entrance on 10th Street and loop the original route with the first of four stops at 24th & Cuming Streets.
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/ Men's Basketball
F/C
/ Men's BasketballF/C
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballMBB: Creighton vs. Colorado State Exhibition
Saturday, October 25
Creighton Men's Basketball vs. Colorado State Press Conference - 10/25/25
Saturday, October 25
MBB: Creighton vs. Iowa State Exhibition
Friday, October 17
Creighton Men's Basketball vs. Iowa State. Press Conference - 10/17/25
Tuesday, October 14
