Women's Basketball Heads to Evansville
1/12/2010 12:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Game 14 at Evansville • Thursday, Jan. 14 • 11:00 a.m.
Creighton Bluejays at Evansville Purple Aces
Roberts Stadium • Evansville, Ind.
Radio: 1180 AM, www.koilam1180.com • Video: www.gocreighton.com
Series History: Creighton leads 24-10
Last Meeting: UE won 47-45, March 15, 2009 in St. Charles, Mo.
• The game can be heard on KOIL AM 1180 in Omaha and online at www.koilam1180.com. Brad Burwell and Rob Simms will call the action.
• Live stats and live video for this game and select road games can be found on the CU athletics website at www.gocreighton.com.
• Creighton leads the MVC with an RPI of 32 and a strength of schedule ranked 11th (out of 345 Division I teams). Evansville starts the week ranked last in the MVC with an RPI of 305.
• Megan Neuvirth passed 1,000 career points and 800 career rebounds last week, just the third CU player to reach both numbers.
• Creighton followed its largest winning margin in a road game under Jim Flanery (+25 at Illinois State), with its largest win under Flanery and its largest margin of victory ever in an MVC game, topping Wichita State by 41 last Thursday.
• This game marks just the second morning tipoff in the Jim Flanery era. CU lost at Drake in an 11 a.m. tipoff on Feb. 9, 2008.
• Kellie Nelson, who is averaging 14.3 points per game in her last three, made a career-high 9-of-12 free-throws against Missouri State on Saturday.
• Creighton is 24-10 all-time against Evansville, including 12-3 on UE's home court.
Scouting the Bluejays
The Bluejays are the preseason favorites in the MVC, returning seven letterwinners and four starters from last year's team which finished 22-12 and advanced to the WNIT for the fifth time in seven years ... CU leads the league and ranks seventh in the NCAA with 8.5 three-pointers per game ... The Jays are led by MVC Preseason Player of the Year, senior forward Megan Neuvirth, who is the reigning MVC Defensive Player of the Year. Neuvirth leads the team with 13.8 points and 2.5 steals per game and leads all active MVC players in career rebounds (800) and steals (243) ... Junior forward Sam Schuett tops the team in rebounds (7.8), three-point field goal percentage (.448), free-throw percentage (.841) and ppg in MVC play (15.8) after missing all of last year with an injury ... Junior guard Kelsey Woodard has 174 career three-pointers, including a team-best 34 this year... Senior point guard Chevelle Herring, a second-team all-MVC honoree last year, leads the team with 2.7 assists per game.
Scouting the Purple Aces
Evansville, the reigning MVC Tournament champion, is 3-11 on the year, including 0-3 in MVC play ... UE's first three MVC games were on the road ... The Aces rank last in the MVC in both offense (60.6) and defense (74.9), while they are allowing 84.3 points in MVC play, including 99-points at UNI on Saturday ... UE also ranks last in rebounding margin (-6.7) and three-pointers made (61) ... Amy Gallagher leads UE with 10.9 points and 2.8 assists per game ... Samantha Heck tops the team with 5.8 rebounds per game ... Jordan Lewis is second on the team with 7.0 points per game and leads the way with 21 steals ... Stephanie Bamberger leads UE with 16 three-pointers ... UE shoots 37.3 percent from the field, 30.7 percent from three-point range and 68.7 percent from the free-throw line ... Opponents shoot 44.4 percent against UE.
The Coaches
Jim Flanery (Creighton, 1987) is in his eighth season as head coach, where he has led his team to five WNIT postseason appearances and four 20-win seasons. He owns a career record of 139-97 (.589). In 2003 he became the winningest rookie coach in school and MVC history and led the Jays to the 2004 WNIT Championship. Prior to serving as CU's head coach, Flanery served as CU's top assistant for a decade. He is 11-4 all-time against Evansville. Misty Murphy (Colorado State, 1998) is in her second season at Evansville and second as a Division I head coach, with a record of 18-30 (.375). A three-year stint as an assistant at Rice preceded her UE appointment. She was previously a head coach at NCAA Division II Colorado State-Pueblo and Sheridan Junior College in Wyoming. Her career head coaching mark is 126-95 (.570).
Creighton-Evansville Series History
The Bluejays lead the all-time series with Evansville 24-10, including a 12-3 mark on UE's home court. The Jays have won three of the last four meetings overall and 14 of the last 18 meetings. CU has won two of its last three trips to Evansville, including a 50-47 win last year.
Last Year Against Evansville
The Bluejays swept the Purple Aces in the regular-season only to have the Aces knock off the Jays in heartbreaking fashion in the MVC Tournament championship game. Creighton won 50-47 in Evansville last January 17, despite a 10-minute field goal drought and a late 15-3 run by UE to take the lead. Chevelle Herring converted an old-fashioned three-point play with 46 seconds left in the game to reclaim the lead for the Jays, while UE missed three shots in the final 32 seconds as CU held on. The Jays led by as many as 22 in a 68-57 home win in February, led by Herring's 21 points. Megan Neuvirth had 15 rebounds in the second win. CU lost to the Aces in the MVC championship game, when Nebraska native Amy Gallagher hit the game-winning shot with less than one second on the clock. Both offenses struggled in the 47-45 UE win, as UE had just six second-half field goals and CU had only 19 second-half points. Kelsey Woodard led CU with 18 points in the loss.
Bluejay Individuals vs. Purple Aces
Kelsey Woodard averages 11 points and Sam Schuett averages 10.8 points per game in their careers against Evansville. Woodard also adds 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game against UE, while Schuett chips in 6.3 rebounds and shoots 41.2 percent (7-17) from long range against the Aces. Megan Neuvirth averaged a double-double against UE last year with 11.3 points and 10.7 rebounds and averages 9.6 points and 7.7 boards in her career against the Aces. Neuvirth shoots 47.5 percent (28-59) from the field against UE in her career. Kellie Nelson scored a career-high 16 points against UE as a freshman and averages 8.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game against the Aces. Chevelle Herring averaged 11.3 points against UE last year and is averaging 8.3 points per game in her career vs. Evansville. Kelsey Crites averaged 7.3 points and 7.0 rebounds against UE last year, while she's at 5.9 points and 4.7 boards in her career against the Aces.
Top-Ranked Defense
Creighton's defense ranks atop the MVC, allowing just 60.2 points per game, including just 54.5 in Valley play. The Jays allowed just 45.3 points per game in their first three MVC games, before Missouri State erupted for 82 points last Saturday. That snapped a streak of six straight games against where CU's MVC opponents failed to reach 50 points. Over that six-game span, the Jays allowed just 43.2 points per game.
Defensive Lapse
Creighton allowed Missouri State to score 82 points on Jan. 9, the most points scored by a Bluejay opponent in more than two years. No Bluejay foe had reached 80 points in a game since Kansas scored 91 points on Nov. 27, 2007. The 82 points were the most scored by a Bluejay foe in MVC play since Indiana State's 89 points on Dec. 31, 2006 and the most scored by a Bluejay visitor since Wichita State had 83 (in a CU win) on Jan. 7, 2006.
Turnovers to Points
Creighton committed 17 turnovers in its loss to Missouri State (Jan. 9), while the Lady Bears converted those chances into an opponent season-high 28 points off turnovers. Nine of the turnovers led to 16 points in the first half, while the Lady Bears raced out with 16 fast break points in the first half and finished with a 20-0 edge in the game in fast break points.
In CU's losses this year, the Jays have been out-scored 116-71 (-45) in points off turnovers for an average of minus-nine points per loss. In wins, the Jays own a 138-96 (+42) edge in points off turnovers, an average of plus-5.3 per win.
Bluejays Start MVC 3-0
Creighton started 3-0 in MVC play for the first time since it won four straight to open the 2005-06 season. The Jays were 3-0 in MVC action for the fourth time under Jim Flanery, but failed to start 4-0 for the fourth time under Flan when they loss to Missouri State on Saturday.
MVC Home Openers
Creighton moved to 14-4 all-time in its first MVC home game of the season, including 7-1 under Jim Flanery with an 89-48 win over Wichita State on Thursday. Creighton has won eight of its last nine MVC home debuts. The Jays' average winning margin in their last three MVC home openers is 35.3 points.
Bluejays Set School Record for FG%
Creighton shot a school record 64 percent from the field in their win over Wichita State (Jan. 7), surpassing the old mark of 63.9 percent set at Bradley on Jan. 24, 1994. The Bluejays made 32-of-50 shots, including 16-of-22 (.727) in the second-half of the record-setting performance. It proved to be Creighton's best shooting performance since shooting 63.2 percent from the field at Bradley on Feb. 8, 1996.
Neuvirth Reaches 1,000 Career Points
Senior forward Megan Neuvirth became the 20th player in school history to surpass 1,000 career points when she made a layup early in the second half against Wichita State (Jan. 7). She's the first new member of the 1,000-point club since Ally Thrall in 2008 and is now ranked 19th in school history with 1,027 career points.
Largest Valley Win
Creighton's 89-48 win over Wichita State (Jan. 7) marked the largest winning margin in an MVC game in school history, besting the 37-point margin over Missouri State on Jan. 6, 2002. The margin was also the largest in any game under head coach Jim Flanery, just one game after the Jays notched their largest winning margin in a road game under Flan (+25 at Illinois State).
Team Highs
Creighton established numerous season-highs in its 89-48 win over Wichita State (Jan. 7). The Jays had season highs in points (89), points in a half (45), field goals (32), assists (25), field goal percentage (.640) and three-point percentage (.583).
Personal Highs
Kellie Nelson had a season-high 15 points, tied a career-high seven field goals and blocked a career-best four shots in CU's win over Wichita State (Jan. 7). DaNae Moore entered the WSU game with three points and no field goals this year before going 3-for-3 from the floor and 3-for-3 at the free-throw line to tie her career high with nine points (done previously against Wichita State at home last January). Katie Frank dished a career-best four assists in the victory.
Nelson Ratings
Kellie Nelson has equalled her season-high 15 points in each of CU's last two games and is averaging 14.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in her last three contests. During that span she is shooting 15-of-27 (.556) from the field and 13-of-17 (.765) from the free-throw line. She blocked a career-high four shots against Wichita State (Jan. 7) and set career-highs going 9-for-12 at the free-throw line against Missouri State (Jan. 9).
Live and Die by the Three
Creighton ranks seventh in the NCAA with 8.5 three-pointers per game, but the Jays have done considerably better from long range in wins than losses. CU is shooting 41.7 percent (88-211) from three-point range, an average of 11 threes per game, in wins. In losses, the Jays have made only 22-of-87 for 25.3 percent at an average of 4.4 per game.
Schuett Named MVC Player of the Week
Junior Sam Schuett enjoyed her return to MVC play for the first time in two years by being named MVC Player of the Week (Jan. 4) after averaging 17 points and nine rebounds in wins at Indiana State (Dec. 31) and Illinois State (Jan. 2) to open the MVC season. Against the Sycamores, Schuett scored a season-high 19 points and made a career-best five three-point field goals. At Illinois State she had 15 points and a career-best 14 rebounds for her second double-double of the season, eighth career.
Holy Schuett
Forward Sam Schuett recorded back-to-back double-doubles recently, with 15 points and career-best 14 rebounds at Illinois State (Jan. 2) and 12 points and 13 rebounds against Wichita State (Jan. 7) to move her career total to nine double-doubles. Schuett averaged a double-double through three MVC games at 15.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. She enters the week shooting 54.3 percent (19-35) from the field, 59.1 percent (13-22) from three-point range and is a perfect 12-for-12 at the free-throw line in MVC play, while leading the team with 15.8 points and 9.0 boards in Valley play.
By the Boards
Creighton out-rebounded Wichita State 42-20 on Jan. 7, the largest rebounding margin by the Bluejays since they were plus-23 against Evansville on Feb. 17, 2008. Sam Schuett actually out-rebounded the Shockers in the first half 9-7, as WSU did not have a rebound until nearly six minutes into the contest. WSU's 20 boards were the fewest by an opponent under Jim Flanery and the fewest dating back to box scores through 1991-92.
Fun With Free-Throws
Creighton shot just 66.7 percent from the free-throw line in non-conference play, but the Bluejays have opened MVC action with excellent shooting at the stripe, making 62-of-77 shots in their first four Valley games to rank third with a 80.5 free-throw percentage.
Flan Likes Jan.
Head coach Jim Flanery has opened the month of January with two wins and his record in the month is now 42-17 (.712) all-time. It is by far his most successful month, as his next best winning percentage in a single month is .636 (March). His all-time record in the other four months of the basketball season is 97-80 (.548).
Three For All
Creighton continues to lead the MVC and ranks seventh in the NCAA this week with 8.5 three-point field goals per game. Of the Bluejays' 15 field goals at Indiana State (Dec. 31), 11 were three-pointers and they followed with 10 more at Illinois State. They have now posted back-to-back games with at least 10 three-pointers twice this year and six times under Jim Flanery. The Bluejays are 5-0 this year when making at least 10 three-pointers and 29-11 when making 10-plus threes under Flanery.
Jays Post Largest Road Win Since 2002
Creighton's 25-point win (69-44) at Illinois State (Jan. 2) was the largest winning margin in a Bluejay road game since Jan. 14, 2002 and the largest under head coach Jim Flanery. The previous best road margin was a 23-point win at UC Irvine (80-57) on Dec. 20, 2002. The Jays did post a 27-point win against Stephen F. Austin on a neutral court in Nov. 2003. CU has logged 20 20-plus point victories under Flanery, including five on the road.
Next to 1,000?
Kelsey Woodard and Chevelle Herring hope to join Megan Neuvirth with 1,000 career points this year and in doing so will become the first trio of Bluejays to reach the 1,000 point plateau in the same season. Woodard currently has 936 points and Herring has 917. Woodard is aiming to become the first junior to reach 1,000 career points at CU since Angie Janis did so in 2004-05.
We're Going Streaking
• Sam Schuett enters the game having made her last 22 free-throw attempts to move her percentage to a team-best 84.1 at the stripe.
• Kelsey Woodard has made a three-point field goal in every game this year to extend her streak to 20 straight games with a three-pointer made.
Steady Chevy
Chevelle Herring had a solid four-assist, zero-turnover game for the Bluejays in their win at Illinois State (Jan. 2), marking the first time in her career she had more than two assists in a game with zero turnovers. It was also just the second time in her last 47 games she did not have a turnover and the sixth time in her career finishing without a turnover while playing at least 20 minutes.
Toughest Schedule in MVC
Creighton has once again managed to put together the most difficult schedule in the Missouri Valley Conference. CU is one of four MVC teams with a strength of schedule (SOS) better than 100 through games on Jan. 10. The Jays' SOS is a league-best 11, followed by Illinois State at 76. The average SOS of the nine MVC teams outside of Creighton is 168 – including four teams with an SOS of worse than 200. Evansville's SOS is a league-worst 268 this week, while UE also has a league-low RPI of 305 (and SIU enters the week at 303). CU has the best RPI in the MVC at 32, while Drake is second at 62. (All figures according to CollegeRPI.com through games on Jan. 10).
Let's Be Frank
Senior forward Katie Frank earned her first career start at UC Davis on Nov. 27, after coming off the bench in her first 73 career games. She's been helpful this season, with 16 assists in 13 games, including a career-best four against Wichita State (Jan. 7). She has already eclipsed her single-season high of eight helpers, which she needed 31 games to reach last year. She had 13 career assists in 69 games, before dishing 16 this year.
Good Losses?
Creighton lost its final three non-conference games, but each of the three opponents were ranked in the top 25. The average RPI of the four teams CU lost to in non-conference play is currently 20.3 – Nebraska (4), Oklahoma (5), Kansas (31) and Marquette (41).
At Home in The Valley
Creighton is now 17-3 at home in MVC play since the start of the 2007-08 season, going 8-1 in both of the last two seasons. Prior to their loss to Missouri State (Jan. 9), they were 17-0 in Valley play at home against teams not from Des Moines in that span, as Drake handed the Jays their lone MVC home loss in both 2007-08 and 2008-09.
Home is Where the Wins Are
The Bluejays have won 16 of their last 19 home games and are 77-26 (.748) at home under Jim Flanery. The Jays are now 71-22 (.763) all-time on-campus (5-2 at D.J Sokol Arena, 26-12 at Kiewit Fitness Center and 40-8 at Vinardi Athletic Center). The Bluejays played 301 of their first 428 recorded home games at the Omaha Civic Auditorium where they posted a 213-88 (.708) record. Despite all of the moving, Creighton has managed to post a 316-119 (.726) recorded home record all-time at 12 different “home” sites.
Career Milestone Updates
• Sam Schuett recorded her 500th career rebound against Wichita State (Jan. 7).
• Schuett is nine three-pointers shy of becoming the 15th player at CU with 100 career three-point field goals.
• Megan Neuvirth started the season ranked sixth in school history with 211 career steals, but now ranks fifth with 243 swipes.
• Neuvirth grabbed her 800th career rebound against Missouri State (Jan. 9), ranking third in CU history after starting the season ranked seventh with 714 boards.
• Neuvirth became the 20th player in CU history to score 1,000 career points, doing so against Wichita State (Jan. 7) and she now ranks 19th in CU history in scoring.
• Kelsey Woodard became the eighth player in school history to reach 150 career three-point field goals earlier this season, and has moved from eighth into a tie for fifth in CU history with 174 career triples.
• Woodard scored her 900th point at Indiana State (Dec. 31).
• Chevelle Herring scored her 900th career point against Oklahoma (Dec. 20).
Bluejays & Bison Can't Beat Blizzard
The Christmas Blizzard that hit much of the midwest cost Creighton its final non-conference game of the season, as its game with North Dakota State on Dec. 28 was cancelled. The contest was called off when NDSU notified Creighton it was unable to get its players back to Fargo from Christmas break in time to make the trip down I-29 to Omaha. The teams were unable to find a suitable date to reschedule this year and the Bison will be put back on the Creighton home schedule next season. Fans with tickets to that game can redeem them for any home game this season.
Free-Throw Facts
Creighton made and attempted season-highs by going 19-of-27 at the free-throw line against Oklahoma (Dec. 20). Leading the way were career days from Sam Schuett and Megan Neuvirth. Schuett was a perfect 8-for-8 at the stripe – both career highs. Neuvirth tied her career-best by making eight of her career-high 13 attempts at the line.
Jensen Ties School Record
Freshman Ally Jensen tied a school record by making a three-point field goal in each of her first seven career games. The guard equalled the school mark established by Laura Spanheimer in 2001-02, before going 0-for-2 from long range at Kansas (Dec. 13).
Getting Chevy in Gear
Senior Chevelle Herring played in her 100th career game at Kansas on Dec. 13. She was held scoreless for just the third time in her last 75 games and held without a field goal for the second straight game. In Creighton's four losses this year, Chevy has 20 points and 18 turnovers, while she is just 7-for-38 (.184) from the field and 0-for-8 from three-point range.
Hot Starts
Creighton got off to one of its best starts under eighth-year head coach Jim Flanery this year. CU's 5-1 start was its best start through six games since the 2000-01 team opened 5-1. At 5-2, the Jays matched the 2002-03 team, which went on to open the year 9-2. Of the previous seven teams to open the season with at least four wins in their first five games, six have gone on to win at least 20 games.
Neuvirth's Double-Double
Megan Neuvirth grabbed her 14th career double-double, first of the season, at Nebraska (Dec. 9), finishing one point shy of a career-high with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Her 11 field goals and 21 field goal attempts were both career-highs.
Record Setting Day From Long Range
Creighton tied and set school records and tied an MVC record in its 63-61 overtime win at UC Davis on Nov. 27. The Bluejays unloaded a school-record 41 three-point attempts (surpassing the former mark by four), which also tied the MVC record set by Illinois State against Air Force on Nov. 26, 2003. CU tied the school record by making 16 three-pointers, originally done against Oral Roberts on Dec. 16, 1989. The 16 treys tie for the fourth-most ever by an MVC team.
More Three Info
In Creighton's record-tying effort against UC Davis, the Bluejays made 10-of-20 three-point shots in the first half alone. But it was after halftime they truly relied on the three-ball, as the Jays did not make any “two-point” field goals in the second half, all of their 15 points came from behind the arc and their only non-three-point field goal after halftime was Kelsey Woodard's game-winning, left-handed layup at the buzzer in overtime. Woodard finished 6-for-12 from three-point range, while Sam Schuett made four, Ally Jensen added three, Chevelle Herring had two and Megan Neuvirth had one triple to contribute to tying the school record.
Not Done With 3FG Notes Just Yet
Creighton's 55 three-pointers through its first five games were the most ever in a five-game span in school history. In addition to the school-record tying 16 triples at UC Davis (Nov. 27), the Bluejays also set a school record for three-pointers in a two-game span, draining 28 over its first two games this year – 13 against Arkansas State (Nov. 13) and 15 against Davidson (Nov. 15).
Pulling Rank
The Bluejays played three straight ranked teams from Dec. 9-20, losing to No. 24 Nebraska, No. 23 Kansas and No. 15 Oklahoma. The Jays are 1-12 against the top-25 under Jim Flanery.
November Reign
Creighton went 4-1 this November, securing just its fourth four-win November in school history. The 2007-08 team set a school record by playing seven games in November, posting a 4-3 mark in the month. The 1985-86 team went 4-1 in November and the 1984-85 squad posted a perfect 5-0 mark in the month. The Bluejays are now 16-19 in November under Jim Flanery – the only month on the calendar the Bluejays are under .500 with Flan at the helm.
The State of Basketball in Nebraska
Creighton's starting lineup every game this year has featured all Nebraska natives – the first time in recorded school history the Bluejays have started five home state players. In fact, seven of CU's 10 players on this year's roster are from Nebraska – Bellevue natives Chevelle Herring (East) and Kelsey Woodard (West), Omaha products Jasmin Corbin (Millard West) Kellie Nelson (Westside) and Sam Schuett (Millard West), along with Katie Frank (South Sioux City) and Megan Neuvirth (West Point Central Catholic).
It's Raining Threes
Creighton made 28 three-pointers in its first two games of the season – setting a school record for three-pointers in a two-game span. The previous mark also came in the first two contests of a season, when the 2004-05 team drained 27 threes (14,13) in its first two games. The Jays have now made at least 10 three-pointers in a game 38 times under Jim Flanery (since 2002-03).
Sam She Is
Junior Sam Schuett has returned to her rebounding form after missing all of last year while taking a medical redshirt because of an ankle injury. The Omaha native is averaging 11.8 points and leads the team with 7.8 rebounds per game. She has four games with at least 10 rebounds and has three double-doubles to lead the team this year.
Cleaning the Glass
Creighton owned a 53-36 rebounding edge over Arkansas State (Nov. 13) in its season-opener, including an impressive 36-16 advantage in the first half. CU's 53 boards were its most in a regulation contest since nabbing 53 rebounds against Louisiana-Monroe on Dec. 10, 2005.
The 20-20-20 Precedent
Creighton has won at least 20 games in each of its previous two seasons. Taking a look at CU history, every time the Jays have won 20 games in a season, it has come in groups of at least three – winning at least 20 in three straight years (1985-87), four straight years (1991-94), three straight years (2002-04) and now two straight (2008-09) – setting a standard for this year's team to live up to.
Welcome to a Home!
Creighton's season-opener marked its first regular-season home game on campus since March 7, 1992 – an 81-69 win over Wyoming in the Vinardi Athletic Center (Old Gym). The 1991-92 team played four of its 14 home games at the Old Gym.
About the New Facility
Creighton will play all of its home games at the Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center and D.J. Sokol Arena this year, a 75,600 square-foot facility which seats approximately 2,950 fans. In addition to the arena, the facility also includes a locker room, weight room and training room for the student-athletes and houses coaches' offices, meeting rooms, athletic staff offices, a media work room and much more. More information can be found on the facility in the first four pages of the 2009-10 Women's Basketball Media Guide.
Last Home Game of the 00's
Creighton's loss to No. 15 Oklahoma on Dec. 20 proved to be its final home game of the decade. The Jays enjoyed their most successful decade at home in school history, winning 101 of their 135 home games for a .748 winning percentage from 2000 to 2009.
Creighton Home Records by Decade
W L Pct.
1970s 30 12 .714
1980s 91 37 .711
1990s 93 35 .727
2000s 101 34 .748
Decade Breakdown
Creighton's 185 wins last decade were the most of any decade in school history, topping the 1990s 177 wins. The Jays posted a .595 winning percentage in the 00s compared to a .621 winning percentage in the 90s. See the chart below:
Bluejays by Decade
W L Pct.
2000s 185 125 .597
1990s 177 108 .621
1980s 151 132 .534
1970s 60 52 .536
Decade of Success
In the recently concluded decade, the Bluejays won 59.7 percent of their games, going 185-125. The only MVC team to win more last decade was Drake, with 191 wins and a 61.9 winning percentage.
Preseason Picks
The Bluejays have been picked as the preseason favorites in the MVC preseason poll as voted on by league coaches, media and sports information directors. CU received 34 of a possible 40 first-place votes and 393 of 400 points in the poll. This marks just the third time in 18 seasons as MVC members that the Jays are preseason favorites. CU was picked to win the title in 2002-03 and would go on to share the regular-season crown that year. The 1994-95 team was also picked first, but would finish fourth.
Welcome to Creighton
The Bluejays welcome two freshmen to the team this season. Jasmin Corbin is a Omaha Millard West product, where the 5-foot-6 guard played for one season alongside redshirt junior Sam Schuett. Corbin had 10 points, making 3-of-6 three-pointers in CU's exhibition. Ally Jensen, from Ames, Iowa, attended Ballard High School, where the 5-foot-7 guard owns school records for career three-pointers (220) and steals (261).
Exhibition Summary
Creighton played just one exhibition game for the third time in the last four years, but also played a closed door scrimmage at Iowa on Nov. 1. The Bluejays defeated Nebraska-Omaha, 80-57, on Nov. 5 at D.J. Sokol Arena. Kelsey Woodard's 17 points led five Bluejays in double figures, as all 10 CU players played at least 12 minutes in the game. Megan Neuvirth led the team with seven rebounds and six steals, while Kelsey Crites came off the bench to lead the Jays with five assists.
