Men's Basketball Opens Friday vs. North Carolina A&T
11/8/2011 1:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Game #1 vs. North Carolina A&T • Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 • 7:05 p.m.
North Carolina A&T Aggies 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 72-51 on Nov. 18, 2001 in Omaha, Neb.
Next Game
Creighton opens the 2011-12 regular-season with a game on Friday, Nov. 11 vs. North Carolina A&T to open play in the Dale Howard Classic. Tip-off at CenturyLink Center Omaha (17,260) in Omaha, Neb., is set for 7:05 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 Friday'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 Friday. 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
Friday'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 beat Rockhurst, 81-42, in their only exhibition last Sunday.
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.
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 North Carolina A&T
North Carolina A&T went 15-17 last season and return four starters and nine lettermen from that group. The loss, however, is a big one, as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference performer Thomas Coleman and his 17.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.7 blocked shots per game are gone.
Leading the returners is a pair of double-figure scorers in the backcourt, Nic Simpson (13.3 ppg.) and Marc Hill (10.8 ppg., 3.1 apg.). Both men made 50 or more three-pointers last season as well.
Other returning starters include forwards Adrian Powell (8.1 ppg., 4.1 rpg.) and Austin Witter (5.7 ppg., 0.8 bpg.).
The Aggies are picked seventh of 13 teams in the preseason MEAC poll.
The Coaches
Greg McDermott (Northern Iowa, 1988) is entering his second season as head coach at Creighton, after leading the Jays to a 23-16 mark last year. 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 303-211 in 17 previous seasons and is 172-147 in 10 previous Division I campaigns. McDermott is assisted by Darian DeVries, Steve Lutz and Steve Merfeld.
Jerry Eaves (Louisville, 1986) enters his ninth season at North Carolina A&T, where his 87-160 record also doubles as his career mark. He's assisted by Phillip Stitt, Scott Bollwage and Walter Booth.
The Series With North Carolina A&T
Creighton won the only previous meeting between the schools on Nov. 18, 2001, a 72-51 decision at the Omaha Civic Auditorium.
That meeting was also a season-opener for Creighton, a year that saw the Jays share the MVC regular-season title, win the MVC Tournament and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
In that win, Creighton had four men in double-figures (Kyle Korver, Joe Dabbert, DeAnthony Bowden and Terrell Taylor), while NCA&T's Bruce Jenkins led all players with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
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.
Exhibition Recap
Creighton scored the first nine points of the game and never looked back in an 81-42 win over Rockhurst on Sunday.
Doug McDermott led Creighton with 19 points and his six rebounds shared team-high honors with Will Artino. Creighton led 35-22 at the break and by double-digits the entire second half.
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.
Season Opener History
Creighton owns a sparkling 78-15 record (.839) on opening day, including wins in 13 of its last 14 lid-lifters.
Creighton has won seven of its last 11 season-openers by 20 or more points. The Jays have outscored foes by an average of 81.8 to 56.0 in the last 11 openers.
Home Opener History
Including last year's win over Alabama State, Creighton is 82-11 (.882) in home openers all-time.
Creighton has won 16 straight home openers since a Dec. 3, 1994 setback against SMU.
As impressive as that streak is, it's not a record. Between 1936 and 1980, the Jays went 41-2 in home openers, including 21 straight wins from 1946-66.
Hello, World
Creighton has seven players who could make their Division I regular-season debut on Friday, including Austin Chatman, Alex Olsen, Avery Dingman, Geoff Groselle, Nevin Johnson, Mogboluwaga Oginni 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
Manigat 12 3 0 1 22
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
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
Making An Entrance
Below is a list of some of Creighton's most famous players and how they performed in their regular-season debuts in a Bluejay uniform.
Last year Doug McDermott burst onto the scene with 16 points and seven rebounds in his debut, becoming the first Bluejay freshman since at least 1973 to have 15 or more points and five or more rebounds in the season-opener.
Name, Yr. Pts. Reb. Ast. Stl. Min. Result
Echenique, 2010 12 5 0 0 18 W 66-60
McDermott, 2010 16 7 0 1 32 W 71-57
Stinnett, 2007 23 4 3 3 26 W 74-62
Tolliver, 2003 0 1 2 0 7 W 79-44
Funk, 2002 3 5 4 1 21 W 106-50
Kyle Korver, 1999 2 2 0 1 10 W 70-62
Buford, 1995 3 4 0 0 19 W 63-59
Harstad, 1987 4 5 1 1 21 L 49-70
Gallagher, 1987 10 3 0 0 37 L 49-70
Benjamin, 1982 14 4 1 0 22 W 98-54
McKenna, 1977 14 3 7 ? ? W 95-66
Harmon, 1971 21 7 ? ? ? W 74-62
C. Baptiste, 1969 24 17 ? ? ? W 84-62
Portman, 1966 9 ? ? ? ? W 78-76
Silas, 1961 22 29 ? ? ? W 85-51
Gibson, 1954 19 ? ? ? ? W 66-51
November Reign
Creighton has won 35 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 43-11 in regular-season November games at all sites since the start of the 1998-99 campaign.
Opening Statements
Greg McDermott has won each of the last nine season openers he's coached in, and he is 9-1 at the Division I level in season-openers. Overall as a head coach, McDermott is 14-3 in season-opening games.
That includes an impressive 99-point win (137-38) in his first game on the sidelines when he was at Wayne State.
Date School Opponent Result
1994-95 Wayne St. York W 137-38
1995-96 Wayne St. Nebraska-Omaha L 63-72
1996-97 Wayne St. St. Francis W 72-66
1997-98 Wayne St. Nebraska-Omaha W 78-76
1998-99 Wayne St. Mount Marty W 76-70
1999-00 Wayne St. South Dakota L 64-66
11/17/00 NDSU Macalester W 81-69
11/16/01 UNI vs. San Diego State L 57-71
11/22/02 UNI at Montana W 77-71
11/21/03 UNI Chicago State W 83-59
11/21/04 UNI Wayne State W 84-66
11/20/05 UNI Western Carolina W 68-46
11/10/06 Iowa State UC Riverside W 69-61
11/09/07 Iowa State Winston-Salem St. W 58-44
11/14/08 Iowa State UC Davis W 61-58
11/13/09 Iowa State Idaho State W 88-68
11/12/10 Creighton Alabama State W 71-57
More Debut News
Some more facts of interest about players making their Bluejay debut.
The last player to start their first game at Creighton was freshman Doug McDermott, who started last year's opener vs. Alabama State, and would go on to set a school-record (with teammates Antoine Young and Kaleb Korver) by starting 39 times last winter.
When McDermott started the lid-lifter, he became CU's first freshman to start his first game since Ryan Sears in 1997. Sears started all 124 games of his Bluejay career and remains the MVC's all-time leader with 283 steals.
CU's best opening-day effort in history would have to be the way Creighton Hall of Famer Bob Harstad began his senior season. Harstad went 13-for-13 from the floor and 12-for-13 at the line to score 38 points against Texas-San Antonio on Nov. 30, 1990.
The most rebounds on opening day in Creighton history is 30, which Paul Silas snared on Dec. 1, 1962 at La Salle. Silas also had 22 points and 29 rebounds in his varsity debut on Dec. 1, 1961.
Good Defense, A Good Sign
Creighton held Mississippi Valley State to just 42 points in its Nov. 13, 2006 season-opening triumph. Each of the last nine times that Creighton has held its season-opening opponent to 50 points or less, the Bluejays have advanced to the postseason. That list is seen below:
Date Opponent Score NCAA/NIT
11/30/73 Regis W 93-38 NCAA
11/27/76 St. Thomas (MN) W 79-39 NIT
11/30/90 UT San Antonio W 93-47 NCAA
11/14/98 Towson State W 93-48 NCAA
11/20/00 Western Illinois W 96-50 NCAA
11/17/02 Texas-Arlington W 106-50 NCAA
11/22/03 San Diego W 76-44 NIT
11/15/04 Alcorn State W 74-40 NCAA
11/13/06 Mississippi Valley St. W 78-42 NCAA
Friday Night Lights
Creighton doesn't play many Friday home games, but judging by its success, it might not be a bad idea for the future.
Creighton has won every Friday home game it's played since Dec. 2, 1989 by double-digits.
In fact, the last time Creighton lost a Friday home game came on Dec. 12, 1975, when Greg McDermott was 11 years old.
In addition to Friday's season-opener, Creighton also hosts Campbell on a Friday (Nov. 26) this year.
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 Friday, North Carolina A&T, is 0-0 on the season. The Bluejays have won 22 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
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.
Opening Night Comebacks
Three of Creighton's last four season-openers have seen a team rally from a 10-point deficit to win the game. In those three cases, the team leading at half would go on to lose the game
In 2007 Creighton trailed by 17 early in its season-opener against DePaul, only to beat the Blue Demons 74-62 behind 23 second-half points from P'Allen Stinnett.
In 2008-09, Creighton trailed New Mexico by 16 with 10:17 left and by nine with 3:30 left before using a late 17-0 run to top the Lobos, 82-75. Stinnett had 21 of his career-high 30 points in the second half against the Lobos.
In 2009-10, Creighton led by as much as 10 points (43-33) before eventually succumbing to a Dayton comeback and falling, 90-80.
Last year Creighton defeated Alabama State 71-57 in a game that featured 11 lead changes. The Jays never trailed by more than three at any point, recovered to lead 33-30 at the break, and never trailed after an 11-0 run gave CU a 50-40 lead with 13:07 left.
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.
Recent Exhibition History
Including Sunday's win over Rockhurst, Creighton is now 37-6 since 1987 in fall exhibition games thanks to 11 straight victories. The only team since 1994 to beat Creighton in an exhibition setting has been Global Sports, which merged eight years ago and changed their name to EA Sports.
A complete listing of Creighton's exhibition games since 1987 can be found on page five of this release.
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).
McDermott's Exhibition History
Greg McDermott is now 19-0 in exhibition games as a Division I head coach, including a 10-0 mark at UNI, a 7-0 record at Iowa State, and a 2-0 mark at Creighton. All but one of his triumphs has been by double-digits.
Below is a list of McDermott's exhibition games at the Division I level.
Greg McDermott's Division I Exhibition Scores
Date McD School Opponent Result
2001-02 UNI London Leopards W 89-74
2001-02 UNI Lake Superior St. W 74-63
2002-03 UNI Dominican Nat'l Team W 73-56
2002-03 UNI H.P. Minnesota W 90-76
2003-04 UNI H.P. Minnesota W 89-79
2003-04 UNI Australian Select Team W 92-58
2004-05 UNI Dubuque W 93-34
2004-05 UNI SW Minnesota St. W 71-40
2005-06 UNI Lewis W 77-50
2005-06 UNI Wayne State W 74-57
11/03/06 Iowa State EA Sports W 58-57
11/06/06 Iowa State Wayne State W 55-41
11/01/07 Iowa State Dubuque W 66-38
11/04/07 Iowa State EA Sports W 74-63
11/08/08 Iowa State Nebraska-Omaha W 74-54
11/02/09 Iowa State Black Hills State W 96-47
11/06/09 Iowa State UNC-Pembroke W 106-54
11/04/10 Creighton Northern State W 79-67
11/06/11 Creighton Rockhurst W 81-42
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
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 both lists.
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.
Newcomer Report
Seven players made their exhibition debut in a Creighton uniform last Sunday against Rockhurst.
Grant Gibbs, Austin Chatman, Alex Olsen, Avery Dingman, Geoff Groselle, Nevin Johnson and Mogboluwaga Oginni combined for 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in a combined 70 minutes of action in the Jays 81-42 triumph. (Will Artino played in last season's exhibition and isn't counted in those totals)
Below is a look at the last eight years and how Creighton's newcomers have produced in their exhibition debuts:
2011
Gibbs/Chatman/Olsen/Dingman
Groselle/Johnson/Oginni
22 pts., 11 reb., 8 ast., 70 min. (W 81-42)
2010
Stormberg/McDermott/
Manigat/Ingle/Artino
25 pts., 11 reb., 0 ast., 44 min. (W 79-67)
2009
Sebastian/Bock/Dorwart/
Runnels/Ashford/Wragge
35 pts., 10 reb., 7 ast., 68 min. (W 94-69)
2008
Carter/Jones/Young
15 pts., 8 reb., 3 ast., 47 min. (W 78-65)
2007
Woodfox/Witter/Stinnett/Millard/Korver/
Harriman/Walker/Brandt
48 pts, 14 reb., 8 ast, 102 min. (W 88-75)
2006
Bahe/Miles/Morrison/Lawson Jr.
16 pts., 11 reb., 3 ast., 59 min. (W 80-76)
2005
Porter/Bishop/Dotzler/Nengsu
11 pts., 4 reb., 5 ast., 55 min. (W 74-67)
2004
Day/Howard/Hibma/Watts
25 pts., 10 reb., 6 ast., 64 min. (W 78-48)
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.
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
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 550 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 574 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
Entering the 2011-12 season, Creighton has played 137 regular and postseason contests at CenturyLink Center Omaha all-time in eight seasons at the facility.
The Bluejays own an 116-21 (.847) record all-time at the facility, and have never lost there on a Thursday or Friday.
Creighton has outscored its opponents 10,089-8,592 in games at CenturyLink Center Omaha, an average margin of 10.9 points per game. Creighton has led wire-to-wire 29 different times.
Team of the Millenium?
Below is the records for each MVC school since the start of the 2000-01 season, 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 79 straight home games when scoring 68 points or more since Feb. 5, 2005.
Creighton has also won 45 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.
