Men's Basketball Hosts Chicago State on Sunday
11/12/2011 6:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Game #2 vs. Chicago State • Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011 • 2:05 p.m.
Chicago State Cougars at Creighton Bluejays
CenturyLink Center Omaha (17,260) • Omaha, Neb.
Radio: KXSP 590 AM, www.am590espnradio.com
Television: None
Series History: Creighton leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Creighton won 74-65 on Jan. 18, 1988 in Omaha, Neb.
Next Game
Creighton (1-0) continues play in the Dale Howard Classic with Sunday's game vs. Chicago State (0-1). Tip-off at CenturyLink Center Omaha (17,260) in Omaha, Neb., is set for 2:05 p.m.
Radio Broadcast Information
KXSP (“AM 590 - Omaha's ESPN Radio”) will broadcast all Creighton men's basketball games during the 2011-12 season, including Sunday's game. T. Scott Marr and former Bluejay Nick Bahe will call the action.
The audio is also webcast live at www.AM590espnradio.com.
Video Webcast Available
Creighton University Athletics and Jump TV will present a live, pay-per-view video webcast of approximately 10-15 games this season, including Sunday. To sign up for the video webcast, fans can register by going directly to http://www.gocreighton.com. Cost for a monthly pass is $10.95 and a four-month pass is $34.95.
Once registered, fans will only need to log-in with their password on gameday. The video stream includes audio of either the radio or television broadcast as well.
Television Broadcast Information
Sunday's game will not be televised. Creighton will have at least 20 games televised this winter, beginning Nov. 20 vs. Iowa on the BTN.
Live Stats Information
All of Creighton's games this season will have free live stats. Visit www.gocreighton.com and click on the Live Stats tab on the left-hand side of the page for links the exact link.
Home games can also be followed by those who have mobile devices with internet capability at www.gocreightonstats.com.
Scouting Creighton
Creighton returns 10 lettermen and three starters from last year's 23-16 team that reached the championship series of the College Basketball Invitational. CU opened the season with a 97-65 win over North Carolina A&T.
After leading the team in scoring (14.9 ppg.) and rebounding (7.2 rpg.) as a freshman, sophomore forward Doug McDermott enters the 2011-12 season with preseason all-MVC and All-America hype.
The other two returning starters, senior guard Antoine Young (13.1 ppg., 5.0 apg.) and junior center Gregory Echenique (10.5 ppg., 5.8 rpg., 1.8 bpg.), are honorable-mention preseason all-Valley selections as well.
Sophomore guard Jahenns Manigat had 18 points in the season-opening victory to lead six Bluejays in double-figures.
Creighton has eight men on the roster who did not see the floor a season ago, highlighted by junior Gonzaga transfer Grant Gibbs and redshirt freshman Will Artino. Among Creighton's talented freshman class are Austin Chatman, Avery Dingman, Geoff Groselle and Nevin Johnson.
Scouting Chicago State
Chicago State returns three reserves from last year's team that finished 6-26. The returning trio of Jamill Harris (3.3 ppg.), Ardarius Simmons (3.1 ppg.) and Quincy Ukaigwe (1.0 ppg.) combined for just 10 percent of CSU's scoring and rebounding from a year ago.
Chicago State will play on the road 13 of its first 16 games to start the season, and also plays road games against MVC schools Illinois State (Nov. 30) and Wichita State (Dec. 14).
Chicago State won a pair of exhibition games, defeating Roosevelt (79-59) and St. Ambrose (76-65), before falling at Iowa, 96-53, on Friday. Former Illinois State and Iowa Western CC forward Jeremy Robinson led CSU with 20 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes, while Lee Fisher had 11 points and shared team-high honors with four assists.
Chicago State was picked to tie for fifth place in a preseason poll of the six coaches in the Great West Conference.
The Coaches
Greg McDermott (Northern Iowa, 1988) is in his second season as head coach at Creighton, where he owns a 24-16 mark. McDermott has previously been a head coach at Iowa State (2006-10), Northern Iowa (2001-06), North Dakota State (2000-01) and Wayne State (1994-2000). He owns a career mark of 304-211 in 18 seasons and is 173-147 in 11 Division I campaigns. McDermott is assisted by Darian DeVries, Steve Lutz and Steve Merfeld.
Tracy Dildy (Illinois-Chicago, 1991) is in his second season at Chicago State, where his 6-27 record also doubles as his career mark. He's assisted by Sean Pryor and former Creighton player James Farr.
The Series With Chicago State
Creighton won the only previous meeting with Chicago State, 74-65, on Jan. 18, 1988 in Omaha.
In that game, Rod Mason made 5-of-6 three-point shots and scored 21 points to pace four Bluejays in double-figures. James Farr, currently a CSU assistant, had 15 points, six assists and four steals for Creighton.
Greg McDermott is 2-1 in his career against Chicago State (1-1 at UNI, 1-0 at Iowa State), but has never faced Tracy Dildy.
Last Season Recap
Creighton finished 23-16 on the season, winning a program-record four postseason games before falling in the best-of-three championship series in the College Basketball Invitational. Creighton's 10-8 league mark was good for a tie for fourth place, the Jays 14th straight year of a fourth-place finish or better.
Individually, Doug McDermott was a first-team all-MVC pick and led the team in scoring and rebounding during a standout freshman season that also saw him sweep MVC Freshman and Newcomer of the Year accolades. Antoine Young was named second-team all-MVC, while both McDermott and Jahenns Manigat were named to the MVC's All-Freshman Team. In addition, Manigat was named to the MVC's All-Bench Team, and Gregory Echenique was selected to the MVC's All-Newcomer and All-Defensive Team.
Last Game Recap
Creighton scored 11 points on its first four possessions and never trailed in a 97-65 win over North Carolina A&T on Friday night in Omaha. Jahenns Manigat had a career-high 18 points to pace six Bluejays in double-figures.
About This Event
The Dale Howard Classic is a five-team event that includes Creighton, North Carolina A&T, Iowa, Chicago State and Campbell.
Creighton and Iowa each play three home games and one neutral site contest against each other in Des Moines Iowa. Tickets for the Iowa-Creighton game on Nov. 20 in Des Moines can be purchased at www.dahlstickets.com or by phone at (866) 553-2457.
The other three schools have three road games and one home game in the event.
Six Shooters
Creighton had six men score in double-figures in Friday's win over North Carolina A&T; Jahenns Manigat (18), Doug McDermott (13), Will Artino (13), Antoine Young (11), Avery Dingman (11) and Grant Gibbs (10).
The last time Creighton had six men in double-figures came on Dec. 29, 2001, when Larry House (15), Jimmy Motz (13), Kyle Korver (12), Mike Grimes (12), DeAnthony Bowden (12) and Brody Deren (11) scored in double-digits.
Playing With The Lead
Creighton has played two public games at CenturyLink Center Omaha this season, beating Rockhurst (81-42) in an exhibition before topping North Carolina A&T (97-65) in Friday's regular-season opener. The Jays haven't trailed yet.
Against the Aggies on Friday, Creighton scored 11 points on its first four offensive trips to build an 11-0 lead and never looked back.
Incredibly, it marked the 30th time in 138 games (21.8 percent) at CenturyLink Center Omaha that Creighton never trailed. By comparison, the Jays own just 21 losses in the facility.
Incredibly, Creighton hasn't trailed in its home opener in seven of the past 12 seasons (2000-01, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10 and 2011-12).
Creighton didn't trail in either of its first two home games in 2009-10 or 2003-04, and in any of its first three games in 2002-03.
Bench Bonus
Creighton's bench scored 41 points on Friday, including a pair of freshmen in double-figures (Will Artino, Avery Dingman).
The last time Creighton scored 40 or more points off the bench had been a 56-point effort vs. South Dakota on March 16, 2010, in an opening-round CIT game at the Omaha Civic Auditorium.
Three On The Way
Creighton launched 35 three-point shots in Friday's win over North Carolina A&T, tying a school-record set Feb. 1, 2011 at Bradley.
Creighton converted 14 of those three-point attempts, matching its most under Greg McDermott. The Jays also sank 14 trifectas in Des Moines last season on Nov. 21, 2010 in a game vs. Iowa State.
40 Game Dash
Doug McDermott has started all 40 games of his career and enters Sunday's contest with 594 career points.
By comparison, Creighton's all-time leading scorer, Rodney Buford, had 611 career points after 40 games. However, Buford had “just” 437 points after the first game of his sophomore season.
Jahenns Is The Manigat
Jahenns Manigat had 18 points, three assists and three rebounds in Friday's win over North Carolina A&T.
Friday's victory improved Creighton to 10-0 all-time when Manigat dishes three or more assists and 5-1 when Manigat hits three or more three-pointers.
Big Margin
Creighton's 97-65 win on Friday was its highest point total in a season-opener since the 2002-03 team opened with a 106-50 win over Texas-Arlington. That team went on to be 29-5.
Seven of Creighton's 16 all-time NCAA Tournament teams have scored 90 or more points in their season-opener.
Here's a look at Creighton's last five teams to score 90 or more in a season-opener.
Final Post-
Score Opponent Date W-L Season
97-65 N. Carolina A&T 11/11/11 ? ?
106-50 Texas-Arlington 11/17/02 29-5 NCAA
96-50 Western Illinois 11/20/00 24-8 NCAA
93-48 Towson State 11/14/98 22-9 NCAA
93-47 UT-San Antonio 11/30/90 24-8 NCAA
Passing Fancy
Creighton's 28 assists (on 33 field goals) were its most in a game since dishing 28 assists vs. Houston Baptist (on 32 FG) on December 22, 2009. The figure also ties a CenturyLink Center Omaha record for one game.
Last season Creighton's top passing output was 25 assists in a win over Kennesaw State, and the Jays dished on 60.7 percent of its field goals for the season.
A Bunch of Homers
Friday's win over North Carolina A&T was the school's 11th straight home victory dating to a Jan. 12, 2011 loss vs. Wichita State.
The wins have been by an average of 19.4 points, and eight of those 11 victories have been by double-digits.
Career-Highs A'Plenty
Creighton had numerous players reach career-highs on Friday night.
Grant Gibbs' 10 points and nine rebounds both exceeded his previous single-game bests from a season at Gonzaga. Only one Bluejay since 1975 has had 10 or more rebounds in their first game, Nick Porter in 2005-06.
Jahenns Manigat's 18 points were a career-high, while his five three-point baskets matched a previous best.
Josh Jones tied a career-high with four assists, while Gregory Echenique's three assists tied a career-high.
In addition, Ethan Wragge's seven rebounds were a career-best for the redshirt sophomore.
Foul Debut
Austin Chatman dished four assists in 12 minutes of his debut, but also fouled out. He's the first Bluejay to foul out of his Creighton debut since Donnie Johnson on Nov. 14, 1997.
Hello, World
Creighton has three players make their Division I regular-season debut on Friday, Austin Chatman, Avery Dingman and Will Artino.
Below is a look at how Creighton's current players have done in their regular-season debut in a Division I uniform.
Name Pts. Reb. Ast. Stl. Min.
McDermott• 16 7 0 1 32
Artino 13 3 0 0 13
Manigat 12 3 0 1 22
Dingman 11 2 0 0 12
Wragge 11 2 0 0 13
Echenique (@RU)• 11 15 1 0 36
Gibbs (@GU) 2 3 0 0 11
Sebastian 1 1 0 0 1
Jones 0 5 2 0 16
Chatman 0 0 4 0 12
Young 0 0 1 1 10
Dorwart 0 0 0 0 1
Stormberg 0 0 0 0 1
Ferrarini 0 0 0 0 1
•indicates game started
November Reign
Creighton has won 36 straight regular-season November home games. CU's last home loss in November came in 1989, when it fell to Coppin State on Nov. 27.
Overall, Creighton is 44-11 in regular-season November games at all sites since the start of the 1998-99 campaign.
Creighton has also won 31 straight non-conference home games against unranked foes since falling to Drexel on Feb. 17, 2007.
In Tournament Play?
Creighton is looking to win its fourth-ever tournament title in a regular-season event. The Jays claimed titles in the Guardians Classic in both 2002 and 2004 and the Las Vegas Classic crown in 2008.
Creighton has also won a record 10 MVC Tournament titles.
Jays At Home Against Winless Teams
Creighton's opponent on Sunday, Chicago State, is 0-1 on the season. The Bluejays have won 23 straight home games against teams that are winless, dating to a 77-70 loss versus an 0-2 SMU team on Dec. 3, 1994. That game was Dana Altman's home debut at Creighton.
Creighton vs. Winless Teams, Since 12/3/1994
Opp. W-L Opponent CU Result Date
0-4 UMKC W 75-61 12/17/94
0-1 UMKC W 70-68 11/25/96
0-0 UMKC W 81-59 11/14/97
0-0 Towson W 93-48 11/14/98
0-1 Western Illinois W 96-50 11/20/00
0-1 North Carolina A&T W 72-51 11/18/01
0-0 Texas-Arlington W 106-50 11/17/02
0-3 San Diego W 79-44 11/22/03
0-1 Bethune-Cookman W 69-49 12/03/03
0-0 Alcorn State W 74-40 11/15/04
0-0 Arkansas-Pine Bluff W 83-58 11/20/04
0-0 Arkansas-Pine Bluff W 87-55 11/19/05
0-1 Miss. Valley State W 78-42 11/13/06
0-4 Arkansas-Pine Bluff W 74-39 11/29/06
0-0 DePaul W 74-62 11/09/07
0-2 Miss. Valley State W 76-46 11/17/07
0-2 Arkansas-Pine Bluff W 82-50 11/20/08
0-9 Miss. Valley State W 82-58 12/02/08
0-7 Southern W 71-60 12/15/08
0-1 Florida A&M W 78-53 11/17/09
0-0 Alabama State W 71-57 11/12/10
0-1 Northern Arizona W 74-70 11/14/10
0-0 N. Carolina A&T W 97-65 11/11/11
Quick Starts Key To Playing in Postseason
Creighton has started off 3-0 (or better) in 11 of the past 13 seasons. Each of Creighton's last 12 3-0 starts have been culminated in a postseason tournament appearance at the end of the year.
Bahamas Boost
Creighton got a head start to the 2011-12 season thanks to a four-game exhibition tour of the Bahamas in mid-August. The trip, which included CU's four scholarship freshmen, also included 10 valuable practices in the off-season.
Creighton won all four games on its tour by double-digits, outscoring foes by an average of 27.5 points per game.
Doug McDermott led the Jays in scoring (24.3 ppg.), Will Artino led the team in rebounding (11.0 rpg.), Geoff Groselle topped the squad with 10 blocked shots, and Austin Chatman had a team-best 30 assists.
Each of Creighton's last three teams to take a foreign trip have started the season strong. The 2007-08 and 2003-04 teams both went to Vancouver, with CU's 2007-08 team starting the regular-season 5-0, and the '03-04 squad opening 12-0. The Jays also toured Europe in the spring of 1998, with CU opening 6-0 to begin the 1998-99 campaign.
Who Are These Guys?
Creighton returns three starters (Antoine Young, Doug McDermott, Gregory Echenique) from last year's team that finished 23-16. Creighton's roster contains players who made 101 starts a year ago.
Returning Returning Starts Final
Year Starters From Previous Year W-L
2011-12 3 101 ? ? ?
2010-11 4 123 23-16
2009-10 3 106 18-16
2008-09 3 83 27-8
2007-08 1 44 22-11
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
Father/Son Duo
Doug McDermott is the only player in Creighton men's basketball history to play for his father, head coach Greg McDermott. The previous closest relationship between a player/coach had been when Rick Apke (1974-78) played for his older brother, head coach Tom Apke (1974-81).
Preseason MVC Poll
Creighton was picked to win the Missouri Valley Conference in the preseason poll of league coaches, SID's and media. The Bluejays earned 29-of-40 first-place votes and 389 points overall.
Wichita State was second with 350 points and seven first-place votes, while Indiana State was third with 331 points and got four first-place votes.
Northern Iowa (245) and Evansville (234) rounded out the upper half of the league.
In sixth was defending regular-season champ Missouri State (216), where it was followed by Drake (159), Illinois State (111), Southern Illinois (90) and Bradley (75).
Creighton sophomore Doug McDermott is one of five men on the preseason all-MVC team. He's joined on the team by Wichita State's Toure' Murry, Missouri State's Kyle Weems, Indiana State's Jake Odum and Evansville's Colt Ryan. Weems was also named Preseason MVC Player of the Year.
Silas To Enter MVC Hall of Fame
Paul Silas will enter the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame on March 2, 2012, during a banquet at the State Farm MVC Tournament in St. Louis, Mo.
Silas played for Creighton from 1961-64 and averaged 20.5 points and 21.6 rebounds per game during his college career. He is one of five men in NCAA history to average a “20/20”, joining Bill Russell, Julius Erving, Artis Gilmore and Kermit Washington.
He owns more rebounds than any NCAA player in the last 55 years, including 22 different games of 25 or more rebounds.
Silas played 16 seasons in the NBA and has won 390 additional contests as an NBA head coach with the Clippers, Hornets, Cavaliers and Bobcats organizations.
Jays Getting Votes
Creighton received enough votes in the preseason USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches poll to be ranked 33rd nationally. It's the first time Creighton has received votes since the 2009-10 preseason poll, and CU's highest ranking since being 29th on March 2, 2009.
The Associated Press preseason poll had Creighton 34th, with 12 points to rank among those receiving votes. It is the first time Creighton has received votes since March 9, 2009, and the highest CU has been since ranking 26th on March 2, 2009.
McDermott On Preseason Lists
Sophomore forward Doug McDermott is one of 50 players nationwide named to the 2011-12 John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 list, as well as the Naismith preseason watch list. He was the only MVC player honored on either list.
McDermott is the first player from Creighton named to a Wooden Award list since the spring of 2003, when Kyle Korver was one of 22 finalists for the award. However, Korver never received preseason acclaim in his career from the Wooden Award voters.
McDermott is Creighton's first player on the preseason Naismith list since Nate Funk prior to the 2006-07 campaign.
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Besides a trip to the Bahamas, two Creighton players stayed busy competing internationally this summer.
Doug McDermott played for Team USA at the U19 World Championships, which were held in Riga, Latvia. McDermott started every game for coach Paul Hewitt's team and was third on the club in both points (11.3) and rebounds (6.1) per game, while topping the squad with 13 three-point baskets. Despite a 7-2 record and wins over the eventual gold and silver medalist teams, his team finished fifth overall after being upset by Russia in the quarterfinal round.
Gregory Echenique played for coach Eric Musselman on the Venezuelan National Team, alongside the likes of former Maryland star and current Memphis Grizzlies guard Greivis Vasquez. In head-to-head battles against NBA veterans such as Luis Scola (Argentina), Al Horford (Dominican Republic), Joel Anthony (Canada) and Andres Nocioni (Argentina), Echenique averaged 6.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in eight games while helping Venezuela to fifth place at the FIBA Americas Tournament in Argentina. Venezuela's success advanced it to a 12-team Olympic qualifier next spring, of which the top three teams will make the 2012 Olympics in London.
10 Conference Wins x 15
Last season's Creighton team extended its MVC record by winning 10 or more league games for a 15th consecutive season.
On a national basis, the only other current school with at least 15 straight years of 10 or more league wins is Kansas (17).
Postseason x 14
Creighton has made the postseason in 14 consecutive seasons, the longest streak of postseason bids in MVC history.
The only nine schools to make the postseason in each of the last 14 years are Creighton, Duke, Florida, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State, Oklahoma State and Syracuse.
Full House
Last year Creighton averaged 13,507 fans per home game, which ranked 22nd nationally. The program ranked 14th at the end of the regular-season with an average of 15,026 before four CBI home games brought down the average.
Creighton surpassed 200,000 home fans in a season for the sixth time. No other school in the history of the MVC has ever done so even once.
Creighton has finished in the top-25 of the national attendance leaders in each of the previous five seasons, and averaging 15,228 fans at home so far this season.
2010-11 Attendance Leaders (Final)
Rk. School Average
1. Kentucky 23,603
2. Syracuse 22,312
3. Louisville 21,832
4. North Carolina 19,144
5. Tennessee 18,952
6. BYU 18,714
7. Wisconsin 17,230
8. Memphis 16,768
9. Kansas 16,436
10. Illinois 15,851
11. Marquette 15,586
12. Indiana 15,259
13. Ohio State 15,125
14. Maryland 14,910
15. Michigan State 14,797
16. New Mexico 14,570
17. Purdue 13,916
18. Vanderbilt 13,802
19. North Carolina State 13,779
20. Arizona 13,680
21. Texas 13,669
22. Creighton 13,507
23. UNLV 13,253
24. Minnesota 13,241
25. Georgetown 12,675
Highest Season Home Attendance, MVC History
Home Att. School Year
302,676 Creighton 2008-09
297,161 Creighton 2010-11
276,000 Creighton 2007-08
246,419 Creighton 2009-10
236,313 Creighton 2005-06
222,728 Creighton 2006-07
192,258 Creighton 2003-04
191,440 Louisville 1974-75
Highest Average Attendance, MVC History
Avg. Att. School Year
15,930 Creighton 2008-09
15,909 Creighton 2006-07
15,333 Creighton 2007-08
15,228 Creighton 2011-12
14,495 Creighton 2009-10
13,901 Creighton 2005-06
13,674 Louisville 1974-75
13,507 Creighton 2010-11
Consistent Challengers
Nine of Creighton's last 14 teams have finished either first or second in The Valley's regular-season race. Two of the five that didn't won the MVC Tournament.
The Bluejays won the MVC in 2000-01 and tied for the title in 2001-02 and 2008-09. 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, and last year's club tied for fourth place.
Creighton's MVC Finishes, Last 14 Years
1st Place 2000-01
Tied for First 2001-02 (won MVC Tourn.), 2008-09
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.); 2007-08; 2009-10
Tied for 4th Place 2010-11
Army of Iowans
Every Creighton team since 1988-89 has had at least one Iowa native, and this season is no exception.
Creighton has three 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 includes junior Grant Gibbs (Marion), sophomore Doug McDermott (Ames) and redshirt freshman Will Artino (Waukee).
Other past notable Iowans include Kyle Korver and Pierce Hibma (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 551 straight games. That streak dates to a Feb. 5, 1994 win against Wichita State.
Big Ten, Big Time
Creighton will play three teams from the Big Ten Conference (Iowa, Nebraska and Northwestern) this season. The Bluejays host both Nebraska and Northwestern after playing Iowa in Des Moines.
This is the first time Creighton has hosted two games against Big Ten competition since 1939, the first time since 1936 CU has hosted different Big Ten teams in the same season.
Unbelievably, Creighton has hosted just one Big Ten team since 1973 (Iowa in 1999).
Going For 20, Again
Creighton has won 20 or more games in 12 of the last 13 seasons, an unprecedented feat in Missouri Valley Conference history that puts the Jays among an exclusive group, nationally.
Just five schools nationally have had 20 or more wins each of the last 13 years: Duke, Florida, Gonzaga, Kansas and Syracuse.
Creighton is one of six schools with 20 or more wins in exactly 12 of the past 13 years. That list consists of Creighton, Kent State, Kentucky, Texas, Utah State and Xavier.
That's better than traditional powers Arizona, Connecticut and Memphis (11 each) and also ahead of Michigan State, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin (10 each).
Long-Distance Streak Alive
Creighton has made at least one three-pointer in a league-best 575 straight games since a 59-53 loss at Illinois State on Feb. 20, 1993. That's the longest active streak in the MVC.
CenturyLink Center Omaha Success
Creighton has played 138 regular and postseason contests at CenturyLink Center Omaha all-time in nine seasons at the facility.
The Bluejays own an 117-21 (.848) record all-time at the facility, and have never lost there on a Thursday or Friday.
Creighton has outscored its opponents 10,186-8,657 in games at CenturyLink Center Omaha, an average margin of 11.1 points per game. Creighton has led wire-to-wire 30 different times, including once this season.
Team of the Millennium?
Below is the records for each MVC school since the start of the 2000-01 season (not including this weekend's results), ranked by overall winning percentage. Creighton leads the MVC overall with 251 wins in the millenium, as well as 11 postseason appearances:
MVC Standings (start 2000-01 to end of 2010-11)
MVC only All Games
Team W L Pct. W L Pct.
Creighton 135 63 .682 251 114 .688
Southern Illinois 129 69 .652 230 127 .644
Wichita State 109 89 .551 211 145 .593
Northern Iowa 109 89 .551 206 144 .589
Missouri State 108 90 .545 207 147 .585
Illinois State 90 108 .455 180 161 .528
Bradley 91 107 .460 182 172 .514
Drake 83 115 .419 162 175 .481
Indiana State 71 127 .359 144 197 .422
Evansville 65 133 .328 126 200 .387
Postseason Appearances by MVC Teams
(Since 2000-01)
Team NCAA NIT CBI CIT Total
Creighton 5 4 1 1 11
Southern Illinois 6 1 0 0 7
Wichita State 1 5 1 0 7
Northern Iowa 5 0 0 1 6
Bradley 1 2 1 1 5
Missouri State 0 4 0 1 5
Illinois State 0 4 0 0 4
Indiana State 2 0 1 0 3
Drake 1 0 0 1 2
Evansville 0 0 1 1 2
Piling Up The Points, and Wins
Creighton has won 80 straight home games when scoring 68 points or more since Feb. 5, 2005.
Creighton has also won 46 straight games when scoring 90 points or more, dating to Jan. 11, 1988.
Creighton has won 16 straight when scoring 100 points or more, dating to Feb. 26, 1977.
Academically Tops In The MVC Too
For the seventh time in the nine-year existence of the award, Creighton University has been recognized with the 2010-11 MVC All-Academic Award. Bluejay student-athletes posted a 3.33 cumulative grade-point average over the 2010-11 academic calendar. Creighton previously shared the award in 2003-04, and were the outright winners in 2004-05, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10.
Creighton had three men's basketball players earn Dean's List (3.50 GPA or better) accolades last year; Kaleb Korver, Derek Sebastian and Taylor Stormberg.
Shuttle Service Provided Again
Chief Bus will provide complimentary shuttle service from the Creighton University campus to CenturyLink Center Omaha for all men's basketball home games this season. The service is available to all fans, not just Creighton students.
The shuttle will start 75 minutes before tip-off and shuttles will continue to operate the route during the game. The three designated stops for pick-up around the CU campus are: 24th & California (nearside/southbound); 20th & Cass (nearside/eastbound) and at Billy Blues Alumni Grill (outside the Mike & Josie Harper Center in the turnaround which is on the east side of the building).
The shuttle will then go eastbound on Capitol Avenue and then go north up 10th Street for drop-off at the CenturyLink Center Omaha convention center 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 CenturyLink Center Omaha convention center entrance on 10th Street and loop the original route with the first of three stops at 24th & California Streets.
Ticket Information
Single-game tickets for the 2011-12 season went on sale on October 31st at 10 am.
Fans can purchase single-game tickets at CenturyLink Center Omaha Box Office, Ryan Athletic Center, all Ticketmaster locations (Baker's, Younkers), Ticketmaster online at http://www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster and charging by phone at (800) 745-3000. Only upper bowl seats will be available for any game and cost is $12 for adults and $8 for youth ages 3-18 (children two and under are free).
For more information, call the Creighton Ticket Office at (402) 280-JAYS.
