Men's Basketball Heads to Sacramento For NCAA Tourney Game vs. Rhode Island

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Game #35: Creighton vs. Rhode Island • Friday, March 17, 2017 • Approx 3:30 p.m. CST
Golden 1 Center (15,745) • Sacramento, Calif.
Omaha Radio: KOZN 1620 AM (John Bishop, Nick Bahe)
National Radio: Westwood One (Jason Benetti, Mike Montgomery)
Television: TBS (Spero Dedes, Steve Smith, Len Elmore, Ros Gold-Onwude)
Series History: Creighton leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: Creighton 74, Rhode Island 73 on March 18, 2008

Next Game
Sixth-seeded Creighton (25-9, 10-8 BIG EAST) begins its 11th NCAA Tournament appearance in 19 years, and 20th appearance overall, on Friday, March 17th, when it meets 11th-seeded Rhode Island (24-9, 13-5 Atlantic 10).
   Tip-off at Golden 1 Center (15,745) in Sacramento, Calif., is set for 30 minutes after the start of Friday's 1 p.m. Central game between Oregon and Iona.
   The CU/URI winner advances to Sunday's Second Round match-up against the Oregon/Iona victor.

Radio Broadcast Information
KOZN (1620 AM) will broadcast all Creighton men basketball games during the 2016-17 season, while KOOO (101.9 FM) also broadcasted all the home games. John Bishop and former Bluejay Nick Bahe will call the action.
   Westwood One Sports will also air the game nationwide outside the Omaha market, with Jason Benetti and Mike Montgomery on the call.
   Only the Westwood One feed will be available over the internet and other mobile devices. Sacramento games can be heard at
http://westwoodonesports.com/sacramento.

Television Information
Thursday's game will be televised nationally on TBS, which can be found on Cox Cable in Omaha on channel 27 (or 1027 in high definition).
   Spero Dedes, Steve Smith and Len Elmore will announce, with Ros Gold-Onwude serving as sideline reporter.

Video Webcast Information
Live streaming video of all NCAA Tournament games will be available at
http://www.ncaa.com/marchmadnesslive.

Live Stats Information
All of Creighton's games this season will have free live stats. Visit www.gocreighton.com and click on the small bar graph icon on the scoreboard at the top of the page for the event of your choosing.

Satellite Coordinates
Coordinates and uplink windows for all NCAA Tournament press conferences are available at http://www.ncaa.com/media.
   Creighton student-athletes will meet the media from 1:35 - 1:50 pm PST and Greg McDermott's session will be from 1:50 - 2:05 pm PST. The team will then hold an open practice at Golden 1 Center from 2:15 - 2:55 pm PST that is free to attend.
   High definitioin coordinates for all press conferences from Sacramento are as follows:
Format 1080i   Data Rate: 11.914
Symbol: 7.2   FEC: 5/6
MPEG 4: 4:2:0   Modulation: DVB-s2 QPSK
Audio: Mono Ch. 1&2   Pilots: Off
AMC-15, Transponder 20 D, Downlink Frequency 12113.50 (H)

Scouting Creighton
Creighton tied for third in the BIG EAST and is 25-9 overall after a run to the BIG EAST Tournament finals last weekend. The Bluejays own wins over No. 9 Wisconsin, No. 12 Butler, No. 16 Butler, No. 22 Xavier and have been ranked in the top-25 for all but three weeks this season.
   Kansas State transfer Marcus Foster (18.3 ppg.) is second in the BIG EAST in scoring, and is averaging the most points by a Bluejay newcomer since Cyril Baptiste in 1969-70. He's scored 10 points or more in all but two games so far, and has already been named Paradise Jam MVP and a unanimous First Team All-BIG EAST selection.
   Two Omaha products in the starting line-up are also doing big things. BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Khyri Thomas averages 12.4 points per game, and is second on the team in blocks, assists and rebounding.
   Redshirt freshman big man Justin Patton averages 13.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He's shooting 69.4 percent from the field (second nationally) and has 71 dunks already.

Scouting Rhode Island
Rhode Island punched its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1999 with a 70-63 win over VCU in Sunday's Atlantic 10 Tournament championship game. Winners of eight straight, the Rams are 24-9 overall after a 13-5 finish in the A-10.
   E.C. Matthews averages 14.9 points per game to lead URI, with Hassan Martin (14.1 ppg., 7.0 rpg., 2.6 bpg.) not far behind. Also scoring in double-figures is Jared Terrell (12.5 ppg.).
   The Rams average 73.4 points per game while holding foes to 64.9 points per contest, due in large part to 6.1 blocked shots per contest.

The Coaches
Greg McDermott (Northern Iowa, 1988) is in his seventh season as head coach at Creighton. He is 166-81 with the Bluejays. 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 446-276 in his 23rd season and is 315-212 in his 16th Division I campaign. McDermott is assisted by Darian DeVries, Steve Lutz and Preston Murphy.
   Dan Hurley (Seton Hall, 1996) is 124-96 in his seventh year as a head coach, including an 86-73 mark in his fifth year at URI. He was previously coach at Wagner, played collegately at Seton Hall, and is the younger brother of Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley. Hurley is assisted by David Cox, Jim Carr and Antonio Reynolds Dean.

The Series With Rhode Island
Creighton won the only previous meeting against the Rams, a 74-73 decision in the first round of the 2008 National Invitation Tournament.
   Creighton trailed by 17 with 15:00 left and still were down 12 with 3:10 to go before a most improbable comeback. The Bluejays, under the direction of current Oregon coach Dana Altman, ended the game on a 16-3 spurt that was capped by a game-winning three-pointer from Cavel Witter with 3.2 seconds left. A reserve guard, Witter had missed his first seven field goal attempts that night.
   Booker Woodfox and P'Allen Stinnett each scored 22 points for Creighton. The URI team had five dunks in the first half alone, and was paced by Will Daniels' 16 points.

With A Win...
With a win on Friday, Creighton would...
- Improve to 26-9, the sixth-most wins in program history for a single-season.
- Improve Creighton to 16-1 this season in non-conference games, including a 5-1 mark on neutral floors.
- Improve Creighton's all-time NCAA Tournament record to 13-20, including a 4-3 mark under Greg McDermott.
- Give Greg McDermott his fourth NCAA Tournament win at Creighton, breaking a program record he currently shares with John J. "Red" McManus.
- Give Creighton a win in each of its last four NCAA Tournament appearances, all under Greg McDermott.
- Give Creighton a win in each of its last nine postseason appearances. That streak started in 2008 with a victory over...Rhode Island.
- Advance Creighton to a Sunday match-up against either Oregon or Iona. Creighton is 1-3 against Oregon and 1-2 against Iona all-time.

Common Opponents
Creighton and Rhode Island share just one common opponent this season, Providence.
   Creighton went 2-1 against the Friars, including a win in the BIG EAST Tournament quarterfinals last Thursday.
   Rhode Island lost at Providence, 63-60.

About Creighton
Creighton is a private, Jesuit institution located in Omaha, Neb., with 8,393 students. The University was founded in 1878 by Mary Lucretia Creighton, who established it in memory of her husband, telegraph pioneer Edward Creighton.
   Prominent alumni include J. Joseph Ricketts (Chicago Cubs owner and founder of TD Ameritrade), Bob Gibson (Hall of Fame pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals), Anthony Tolliver (Sacramento Kings), Kyle Korver (Cleveland Cavaliers), Doug McDermott (Oklahoma City Thunder), Ty Blach (San Francisco Giants) and Pat Venditte (ambidextrous baseball pitcher now with the Philadelphia Phillies).
   Creighton officially joined the BIG EAST on July 1, 2013.

Postseason Wins In Eight Straight Appearances
Creighton has at least one game in eight straight postseason appearances. The streak began in 2008 with a win over Friday's foe, Rhode Island.
Creighton's Last 10 Postseason Appearances
Year   Tournament   First Game
2006-07   NCAA   Lost to Nevada, 77-71 (OT)
2007-08   NIT   Beat Rhode Island, 74-73
2008-09   NIT   Beat Bowling Green, 73-71
2009-10   CIT   Beat South Dakota, 89-78
2010-11   CBI   Beat San Jose State, 85-74
2011-12   NCAA   Beat Alabama, 58-57
2012-13   NCAA   Beat Cincinnati, 67-63
2013-14   NCAA   Beat Louisiana, 76-66
2015-16   NIT   Beat Alabama, 72-54
2016-17   NCAA   Faces Rhode Island

NCAA Tournament History
Creighton is making its 20th NCAA Tournament appearance, and 11th in the last 19 years. The Bluejays are 12-20 all-time in NCAA action, including a 9-10 record in its first game.
   Creighton's last NCAA Tournament games came in 2014, when Creighton topped Louisiana before falling to Baylor in San Antonio.
   Creighton owns an 8-11 record all-time in the Midwest Region. The Bluejays have won at least one game in 6-of-10 previous Midwest Region appearances. Creighton's first game in its last three Midwest Region games have been decided by an average of 2.0 points, with CU winning games by 4 points (2013), 1 point (2012) and 1 point (2002).
   In 28 previous NCAA or NIT appearances, Creighton has won consecutive games in the same event just once, with that happening in the 2016 NIT.
   Creighton has had at least one sport reach the NCAA Tournament in each of the last 30 academic calendar years, Previously in 2016-17, the men's soccer team reached the Sweet 16, while the women's volleyball team advanced to the Elite Eight. The Creighton women's basketball team was expected to earn an NCAA bid on Monday night, as well.

One Shining Moment
Currently an assistant to the head coach at Creighton, Steve Merfeld coached one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history when his 15th-seeded Hampton team defeated second-seeded Iowa State, 58-57, in Boise, Idaho, in 2001.
   Merfeld's team closed the game on a 14-2 run, capped by a Tarvis Williams basket with 6.9 seconds left. ISU All-American Jamaal Tinsley's coast-to-coast lay-up attempt rolled out as time expired.
   As the final horn sounded, Merfeld raced across the court from his bench area to the other side, where he was picked up by forward David Johnson in an enduring image as Merfeld kicked his feet in jubilation.
   That video clip is still shown annually in March Madness intros and highlights worldwide.

Coaching Experience In The Dance
Creighton's full-time coaching staff boasts a combined 36 Division I NCAA Tournament games under their collective belts as either a player, graduate manager, assistant coach or head coach.
   Greg McDermott is 3-6 in NCAA Tournament action as a head coach. He went 0-3 at Northern Iowa (0-1 in 2004, 2005 and 2006) and is 3-3 at Creighton (1-1 in 2012, 2013 & 2014).
   Darian DeVries is 5-10 in NCAA Tournament action, all of it as an assistant coach or graduate manager with Creighton (1-1 in 1999, 2002, 2012, 2013 and 2014; 0-1 in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007).
   Steve Lutz is 3-3 in NCAA Tournament action, going 1-1 in 2012, 2013 and 2014 as a Creighton assistant coach.
   Preston Murphy played in six games over the course of three NCAA Tournaments while enrolled at Rhode Island from 1995-99. The Rams went 0-1 in 1997 and 1999, but reached the Elite Eight in 1998. In six career NCAA Tourney games, Murphy had 57 points, 26 rebounds and 11 assists.

Against Postseason Opponents
Creighton went 8-8 against teams that made the 2017 NCAA Tournament. The Jays were 2-0 against Butler, 2-1 against Providence and Xavier, 1-0 against Wisconsin, 1-1 against Seton Hall, 0-2 against Marquette and 0-3 against Villanova.
   Creighton also went 2-0 against NIT qualifiers, going 1-0 vs. Ole Miss and Akron.
   Creighton didn't play any CIT teams, and went 1-0 against CBI qualifier UMKC.

History As A No. 6 Seed
Creighton is a No. 6 seed for the second time in history, joining the 2002-03 club. It matches Creighton's second-best seed slot since the NCAA began seeding all the teams in 1979, three spots behind than the No. 3 seed during the 2013-14 campaign in the team's last appearance.
   Creighton is the 17th BIG EAST team in the last 12 NCAA Tourney's to earn a No. 6 seed, which includes at least one team in each year except 2013 and 2014. The previous 16 teams went 11-16 with three Sweet 16 bids (2015 Xavier, 2012 Cincinnati, 2006 West Virginia).
   Since 1985, No. 6 seeds are 82-46 (.641) against No. 11 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, including an 11-13 mark since 2011. At least one No. 6 seed has won every year since 1989, but at least one No. 6 seed has lost every year since 2004, as well.
   Since 1985, 44 No. 6 seeds have advanced to the Sweet 16, and there's been at least one No. 6 seed to reach the Sweet 16 in 22 of the previous 25 seasons.
Creighton's NCAA Tourney Seeds
(since seeding began in 1979)
Year   Seed   Record
2017   6th   ? ? ?
2014   3rd   2-1
2013   7th   1-1
2012   8th   1-1
2007   10th   0-1
2005   10th   0-1
2003   6th   0-1
2002   12th   1-1
2001   10th   0-1
2000   10th   0-1
1999   10th   1-1
1991   11th   1-1
1989   14th   0-1
1981   8th   0-1

California Dreaming
Creighton's roster owns a pair of players with connections to the state of California.
   Senior forward Cole Huff hails from Altadena, while freshman guard Kobe Paras hails from the Philippines but played two years of high school ball in Los Angeles.
   Creighton's game on Friday will mark its first NCAA Tournament game ever played in the state of California, and first trip to the state for any games since going 2-2 from Nov. 28-Dec. 3, 2013.
   Overall, Creighton is 4-3 in games played in California under Greg McDermott.

Postseason Features Last-Second Drama
Eleven of Creighton's last 14 postseason runs (all but 2010, 2014 and 2016) have included a game that was decided in the final seconds.
   In fact, Creighton's past 14 postseason openers have been decided by an average of 6.1 points and feature four games decided by one point (including a double-OT finish), two by two points, one game by four points, two by six points (including an OT finish), one game by 10 points, three games by 11 points and one decided by 18 points.
   In 2013 Cincinnati missed a game-tying three-pointer in the final 20 seconds and Creighton guard Austin Chatman made 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch to hold on to a 67-63 win.
   In 2012 Creighton edged Alabama in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, 58-57, as Trevor Releford's game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer came up short.
   Creighton's 2010-11 campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion in the CBI title game at Oregon. Creighton had the ball in a tie game with the shot clock off, but committed a backcourt violation on Oregon's "unique" floor. The Ducks' E.J. Singler then banked in a game-winning shot with 2.0 seconds left. A desperation three-pointer by Creighton was off the mark.
   In 2009, Creighton rallied from a 14-point deficit and would hang on to beat Bowling Green, 73-71 in the first round of the NIT. The Jays needed a last-second defensive stand, as BGSU's Darryl Clements' game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark.
   The following game, Creighton led Kentucky by one with 36 seconds left, only to miss two free throws and see UK All-American Jodie Meeks convert a three-point play. CU's Booker Woodfox, the nation's No. 2 three-point shooter, missed an open trey as time expired, and Creighton lost 65-63.
   In 2008, Creighton rallied from a 12-point deficit in the final 3:07 to top Rhode Island, 74-73, in the first round of the NIT. Cavel Witter hit the game-winner with 3.2 seconds left to give CU its first lead of the game since 3-0.
   In 2007, Creighton had the ball for a final shot in a tie game against Nevada in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Nate Funk's shot attempt missed, and a tip-in try was also not converted. The Jays would eventually lose 77-71 in overtime.
   In second round of the 2006 NIT, Miami (Fla.) guard Guilermo Diaz drained a free throw with 2.6 seconds left to beat Creighton 53-52. A last-second shot attempt by Bluejay senior Johnny Mathies was knocked out of his hands.
   In the 2005 NCAA Tourney, Nate Funk had his three-point try with seven seconds left blocked by Tyrone Sally, and Sally raced downcourt for a breakaway dunk with 2.4 seconds left to give West Virginia a 63-61 win. Funk's three-point try from the corner missed at the buzzer.
   In 2004, Creighton fell 71-70 to Nebraska in the NIT. The Jays led nearly the entire second half before NU's go-ahead basket with 12 seconds left. Nate Funk's game-winning jumper from 18-feet away was blocked by Husker guard Jake Muhleisen.
   In 2003 Creighton lost 79-73 to Central Michigan in the NCAA's. The Jays trailed 50-24 with 16:24 left but a furious rally got them within two points (72-70) with 1:20 left, only to turn it over the next three possessions.
   In the 2002 NCAA's, Creighton beat #15 Florida, 83-82, in Chicago. Terrell Taylor hit a game-winning trey with 0.2 seconds left in double-overtime, his final three of 28 points after a scoreless first half.

BIG EAST Success
Creighton was one of seven BIG EAST teams to make the NCAA Tournament, as the league sent 70 percent of its teams to the Big Dance.
   The BIG EAST has had a Sweet 16 squad in 22 of the past 23 years, and multiple Sweet 16 teams in nine of the last 11 years.
   The BIG EAST Conference has won a combined 14 NCAA men's and women's basketball titles in the previous 17 years.

Murphy's Law
Creighton assistant coach Preston Murphy should be quite familiar with Rhode Island.
   Murphy played on three NCAA Tournament teams at Rhode Island from 1995-99, including the 1998 club that reached the Elite Eight. Among his teammates at URI was Antonio Reynolds Dean, who is now on the Rams coaching staff.
   Murphy was also an assistant coach with the Rams from 2010-14 and an associate head coach for a while in 2014, helping to recruit multiple current URI players, including leading scorer E.C. Matthews.

Story Time
There's numerous story lines as it relates to Creghton's trip to Sacramento this weekend.
   The Bluejays will be playing in Golden 1 Center, which doubles as the home of Sacramento Kings forward Anthony Tolliver. Tolliver played in a pair of NCAA Tournaments as a Bluejay from 2003-07.
   Friday (March 17) will be the 36th birthday for former Creighton legend Kyle Korver. Korver played at Creighton from 1999-2003 and remains the only Bluejay in program history to appear in four different NCAA Tournaments.
   Junior guard Marcus Foster is Creighton's leading scorer. Foster spent two seasons at Kansas State, a team that could head to Sacramento should it win in the First Four on Tuesday.
   Freshman guard Kobe Paras signed a letter-of-intent to play at UCLA before being released from that obligation in June. UCLA is a No. 3 seed and meets Kent State on Friday night in Sacramento.
   Creighton's game on Friday against Rhode Island will be its second this season against one of the Hurley brothers. Creighton defeated an Arizona State team coached by Bobby Hurley on Dec. 20th, winning 96-85 in Tempe. Rhode Island is coached by Bobby's younger brother, Dan Hurley.

Limited Experience
Four players on the Creighton team have been a part of an NCAA Tournament squad before, but only one of them has appeared for the Bluejays in the Big Dance.
   Fourth-year senior Zach Hanson played 13 minutes against Baylor in the 2014 NCAA Tournament, contributing two points and two rebounds.
   Fifth-year senior Isaiah Zierden has been part of two previous NCAA Tournament teams at Creighton, but did not play either time. He redshirted in 2012-13, and was out with a knee injury in 2013-14.
   Junior guard Marcus Foster played for Kansas State in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Foster had 15 points and five assists in 39 minutes of a loss against Kentucky.
   Junior guard Kaleb Joseph was on the roster last year at Syracuse, but did not play during any of the Orange's games during SU's Final Four run. Joseph is sitting out this season as a transfer and is not permitted to travel with CU to Sacramento.

McDermott In The Postseason
Creighton coach Greg McDermott is making his sixth postseason appearance at Creighton, and ninth overall as a Division I head coach when you include his time at Northern Iowa.
   McDermott's Division I teams own a 9-9 record in eight previous postseason appearances, including a 9-6 mark in six appearances at Creighton.
McDermott's Div. I Postseason Appearances
Year   Tourney   Postseason W-L
2003-04 (UNI)   NCAA   0-1
2004-05 (UNI)   NCAA   0-1
2005-06 (UNI)   NCAA   0-1
2010-11 (CU)   CBI   4-2
2011-12 (CU)   NCAA   1-1
2012-13 (CU)   NCAA   1-1
2013-14 (CU)   NCAA   1-1
2015-16 (CU)   NIT   2-1
2016-17 (CU)   NCAA   0-0

McDermott Earns Milestone Win
Greg McDermott currently has 166 victories at Creighton, good for second place on CU's all-time wins list. That's one more than Arthur A. Schabinger (1922-35) for second place on Creighton's all-time list, passing Schabinger on March 9 vs. Xavier.
   McDermott's .672 winning percentage is Creighton's best since Schabinger's .714 win rate.
   Below is a list of the most victorious Creighton coaches in program history.
Most Coaching Wins, Creighton History
Rk.   W-L   Name   Years
1.   327-176   Dana Altman   1994-2010
2.   166-81   Greg McDermott    2010-Pres.
3.   165-66   Arthur A. Schabinger    1922-35
4.   138-118   John J. "Red" McManus    1959-69
5.   130-64   Tom Apke   1974-81

Most Postseason Bids By CU Coaches
This year's bid to the NCAA is the sixth postseason bid for Greg McDermott at Creighton. Only Dana Altman (13) has taken the Bluejays to more postseason appearances.
   McDermott's three NCAA Tournament wins tie a school record, also held by John J. "Red" McManus.
   McDermott's nine postseason wins at Creighton are the most in school history, two more than Altman's seven.
   McDermott (9-6) is one of two coaches in program history with a winning record in postseason play, joining Eddie Sutton (2-1).
Coach (Bids)   NCAA   NIT   CBI   CIT   NCIT   Total
Hickey (3)   1-1   2-2   0-0   0-0   0-0   3-3
Belford (1)   0-0   0-0   0-0   0-0   0-1   0-1
McManus (3)   3-3   0-0   0-0   0-0   1-1   4-4
Sutton (1)   2-1   0-0   0-0   0-0   0-0   2-1
Apke (4)   0-3   0-1   0-0   0-0   0-0   0-4
Barone (3)   1-2   0-1   0-0   0-0   0-0   1-3
Altman (13)   2-7   3-5   0-0   2-1   0-0   7-13
McDermott (6*)   3-3   2-1   4-2   0-0   0-0   9-6
*includes 2017 NCAA Tournament

All-Conference Honors Roll In
Creighton had several student-athletes honored by the BIG EAST when league honors were announced.
   Junior guard Marcus Foster was a unanimous selection to the All-BIG EAST First Team. He is the program's second man ever named First Team All-BIG EAST, joining Doug McDermott (2013-14). Foster ranked second in the league in scoring and leads the BIG EAST in field goals made.
   Freshman center Justin Patton was named Second Team All-BIG EAST, a unanimous pick on the BIG EAST's All-Freshman Team, and BIG EAST Freshman of the Year. Patton leads the league in field goal percentage and also tops Creighton in rebounding and blocked shots. He is the first Bluejay to be named to an All-Freshman Team since McDermott and Jahenns Manigat both were recognized by the MVC in 2010-11, and first Creighton's honoree as league Freshman of the Year since McDermott in 2010-11.
   Last but not least, sophomore guard Khyri Thomas was recognized as the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, an award he shared with Villanova's Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges. Thomas ranks among the league leaders in both steals and defensive rebounds, and is also second on the Bluejay team in blocked shots. He is Creighton's second man ever to win a league Defensive Player of the Year honor joining Gregory Echenique's Missouri Valley Conference honor in 2011-12.

Neutral Site Cole Huff Is The Best Cole Huff
No player shines more on neutral floors than Cole Huff, and it's never been on display more than last year's 35 point outburst at Madison Square Garden in the BIG EAST Tournament quarterfinals.
   Since becoming active for Creighton in 2015-16, Huff has played in nine games on neutral floors. He's averaged 16.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in those games while shooting 47-for-88 from the floor (.534), 31-of-57 from three-point range (.544) and 27-of-30 at the line (.900).
   Huff was named MVP of the Men Who Speak Up Main Event in November of 2015 in Las Vegas, helping Creighton to a title. He then scored 35 points last year vs. Seton Hall in the BIG EAST Tournament. Earlier this season, Huff averaged 15.0 points and drained 10-of-15 three-pointers as Creighton went 3-0 en route to winning the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands.
   Last weekend in New York City, Huff averaged 11.3 points while scoring in double-figures in all three games.

Jays Were #1 on FS1
All but one of Creighton's games this season have been televised, with Creighton posting a 24-9 mark in those games.
   Put the Blujeays on FS1, and CU becomes nearly untouchable.
   Creighton is 12-1 this season on FS1, and 47-22 all-time on the network.
   Creighton is 1-1 under Greg McDermott on TBS, which will air Friday's game. The Bluejays beat Alabama in 2012 but lost to Duke in 2013. Both of those games were in the NCAA Tournament.

Foster Named To All-Tournament Team
Marcus Foster was named to the All-Tournament Team by the BIG EAST, averaging 16.3 points, 3.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds in three games last week. He scored in double-figures in all three games, and on Friday catapulted the Bluejays into the final with a game-winning three-pointer with 6.6 seconds left to beat Xavier.
   Foster joins Doug McDermott (2014) and Austin Chatman (2014) as Bluejays to ever earn All-Tourney honors at the BIG EAST Tournament.

25 Wins Entering The NCAA's
Creighton enters the NCAA Tournament with a 25-9 record. In 99 seasons of Bluejay Basketball, this is the sixth team to earn 25 or more wins.
   Creighton owns six seasons in history with 25 or more wins, and Greg McDermott has coached four of those in the past six years.
Most Creighton MBB Wins, Season
       Pre   Pre-Post   Postseason
Year   Final W-L   Tourney   Season   Tournament
2002-03   29-5   26-4   29-4   NCAA
2011-12   29-6   25-5   28-5   NCAA
2012-13   28-8   24-7   27-7   NCAA
2008-09   27-8   25-6   26-7   NIT
2013-14   27-8   24-6   26-7   NCAA
2016-17   25-9 so far   23-8   25-9   TBD
1990-91   24-8   20-7   23-7   NCAA
2000-01   24-8   23-6   24-7   NCAA
1921-22   23-5   23-5   23-5   didn't exist
1973-74   23-7   21-7   21-7   NCAA
2001-02   23-9   19-8   22-8   NCAA
1999-00   23-10   20-9   23-9   NCAA
2004-05   23-11   20-10   23-10   NCAA
2010-11   23-16   18-14   19-15   CBI

Foster Reaches 600
Marcus Foster has scored a team-high 623 points this season, including a career-high 35 points on Feb. 19 vs. Georgetown.
   Foster's mark is 10th-most in single-season history by a Bluejay, and most ever by a newcomer. The previous mark for points by a newcomer was 581 by Doug McDermott as a freshman in 2010-11.
Most Points, Season, Creighton History
   Pts.   Name (Class)   Year
   934   Doug McDermott (Sr.)   2013-14
   834   Doug McDermott (Jr.)   2012-13
   801   Doug McDermott (So.)   2011-12
   738   Bob Portman (Jr.)   1967-68
   734   Bob Harstad (Jr.)   1989-90
   688   Benoit Benjamin (Jr.)   1984-85
   681   Bob Portman (Sr.)   1968-69
   671   Vernon Moore (Sr.)   1984-85
   651   Rod Mason (Sr.)   1987-88
   623   Marcus Foster (Jr.)   2016-17
   620   Chad Gallagher (Sr.)   1990-91

Patton Pending
Justin Patton owns 445 points this season, second-most in program history by a freshman and trailing only Doug McDermott (581 in 2010-11).
   Patton's 21 points against Xavier in the BIG EAST Tournament semifinals helped him pass former MVC Freshmen of the Year Rodney Buford (421 in 1995-96) and P'Allen Stinnett (416 in 2007-08) for second on the list.

More Patton, Please
Justin Patton ranks second nationally with 69.4 percent shooting from the field this year.
   Incredibly, the freshman has shot better than 54 percent from the field in every game but one (Xavier) this season.
   Patton's 33 games shooting 50.1 percent or better from the field leads the nation, three more than UNCW's Devontae Cacock (30).
   Patton (32) and Akron's Isaiah Johnson (27) are the only men to exceed 50 percent from the field with at least four field goals made in more than 25 contests this season.

Patton vs. Other Freshman Years
How does Justin Patton's freshman season compare to those of some other notable freshmen post players in recent seasons? Quite favorably, if you ask us.
Freshmen Seasons, Notable Big Men
Player, Year   PPG   RPG   BPG   APG   FG%
Justin Patton, 2017   13.1   6.2   1.4   1.2   .694
Henry Ellenson, 2016   17.0   9.7   1.5   1.8   .446
Karl-Anthony Towns, 2015   10.3   6.7   2.3   1.1   .566
Myles Turner, 2015   10.1   6.5   2.6   0.6   .455
Jahlil Okafor, 2015   17.3   8.5   1.4   1.3   .664
Joel Embiid, 2014   11.2   8.1   2.6   1.4   .626
Jabari Parker, 2014   19.1   8.7   1.2   1.2   .473
Steven Adams, 2013   7.2   6.3   2.0   0.6   .571
Nerlens Noel, 2013   10.5   9.5   4.4   1.6   .590
Anthony Davis, 2012   14.2   10.4   4.7   1.3   .623
Tristan Thompson, 2011   13.1   7.8   2.4   1.3   .546
Doug McDermott, 2011   14.9   7.2   0.1   1.2   .525

Patton Chasing History
Justin Patton has made 69.4 percent of his field goal attempts this season, good enough to lead the BIG EAST and rank second nationally in 2016-17.
   The best season-ending mark in NCAA history, with a minimum of 5 FG/game, is 74.6 percent in 1980-81 by Oregon State's Steve Johnson, while the best mark by a freshman in NCAA history is currently 67.8 percent by Hampton's Michael Freeman (162-239) in 2006-07.
   The top two field goal percentage marks in history by a "major conference" freshman (ACC, BIG EAST, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC) are 66.5 percent by Arkansas' Sidney Moncrief in 1975-76 and 66.4 percent by Duke's Jahlil Okafor in 2014-15.
   That being said, Patton's marksmanship this season trails one other man who is also on pace to challenge the NCAA record for field goal percentage, as UNCW sophomore Devontae Cacok is at 79.9 percent this season.
   The chart below lists the top-25 single-season marks for field goal percentage in NCAA history entering 2016-17:
Best FG %, NCAA History
(minimum 5 FG/game)
Rk. Name, School   Year   FG-FGA   Pct.
1.   Steve Johnson, Oregon State   1980-81   235-315   .746
2.   Dwayne Davis, Florida   1988-89   179-248   .722
3.   Evan Bradds, Belmont   2015-16   210-294   .714
4.   Keith Walker, Utica   1984-85   154-216   .713
5.   Steve Johnson, Oregon State   1979-80   211-297   .710
6.   Adam Mark, Belmont   2001-02   150-212   .708
7.   Oliver Miller, Arkansas   1990-91   254-361   .704
8.   Alan Williams, Princeton   1986-87   163-232   .703
9.   Mark McNamara, California   1981-82   231-329   .702
10.   Warren Kidd, Middle Tenn.   1990-91   173-247   .700
11.   Pete Freeman, Akron   1990-91   175-250   .700
12.   Joe Senser, West Chester   1976-77   130-186   .699
13.   Lee Campbell, Missouri St.   1989-90   192-275   .698
14.   Stephen Scheffler, Purdue   1989-90   173-248   .698
15.   Brendan Haywood, N. Carolina   1999-00   191-274   .697
16.   Kenny George, UNC Asheville   2007-08   151-217   .696
17.   Mike Atkinson, Long Beach St.   1993-94   141-203   .695
18.   Taylor Smith, Stephen F. Austin   2012-13   211-304   .694
19.   Ricardo Ratliffe, Missouri   2011-12   210-303   .693
20.   Lester James, St. Francis NY   1990-91   149-215   .693
21.   Michael Bradley, Villanova   2000-01   254-367   .692
22.   Murray Brown, Florida State   1978-79   237-343   .691
23.   Evan Bradds, Belmont   2014-15   185-269   .688
24.   Joe Senser, West Chester   1977-78   135-197   .685
25.   Charles Outlaw, Houston   1991-92   156-228   .684

Non-Conference Power
Creighton is 15-1 in neutral site games this season. Nationally, only Villanova (16-0) and Gonzaga (13-0) are unbeaten outside of league play.

Record Watch
Creighton is chasing numerous records this season, many of which can be found on pages 44-46 of this notes packet. Among those that may be within reach...
   Marcus Foster set a CenturyLink Center Omaha record with 109 three-pointers attempted in a season, three more than the previous mark shared by Booker Woodfox and Doug McDermott.
   Justin Patton has made 69.4 percent of his overall field goal attempts , trailing only Geoffrey Groselle's .702 (146-208) in 2015-16, among CU players with 200 or more attempts in a single-season. However, that 69.4 percent mark is on pace to set an NCAA single-season mark for a freshman with at least five made field goals per game.
   Creighton owns 2,792 points this season, the most in school history. The previous mark of 2,787 was set in 35 games last season.
   Creighton has also set a record by making 1,052 field goals this year. The old mark, first set in 1963-64, had been 1,024.
   Creighton has allowed 255 three-point baskets this year, a school-record by the opposition. The previous high had been 244 last year.
   Creighton's .508 field goal percentage is on pace to be the third-best mark ever, trailing only the 1984-85 (.535) and 1976-77 (.519) teams.

A Special Winter
Creighton men's basketball (25) and Creighton women's basketball (23) each have surpassed 20 wins this season, the 11th time in school history that both teams have 20 or more wins in the same winter (also 1984-85. 1990-91, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14). This is the fourth time that both teams have won 23 games or more (also 2001-02, 2002-03, 2012-13).
   Creighton was one of 15 schools with 23 or more wins in both men's and women's basketball this season, through games of Sunday. That elite group includes Baylor, Bucknell, Colorado State, Creighton, Duke, FGCU, Florida State, Gonzaga, Louisville, Maryland, New Mexico State, Notre Dame, Texas Southern, UCLA and West Virginia.
   The 48 combined wins (entering the NCAA Tournament) between the Creighton MBB and WBB programs is fifth-most in school history for one winter. That record is 53, set during the winters of 2002-03 and 2012-13.
   Additionally, Creighton's .750 combined winning percentage (48-16) ranks as the fifth-best combined mark for one winter in program history. That school-record is a .791 mark set in 2002-03 (42-11).

Senior Success
Creighton honored three senior players following its Feb. 28 game vs. St. John's, as Zach Hanson, Cole Huff and Isaiah Zierden were recognized. Hanson is in his fourth year with the program, Huff in his third, and Zierden his fifth campaign.
   During the past five years, Creighton has gone 114-59. The team has been to the NCAA Tournament three times, winning a game in its previous two trips, in addition to last year's run to the NIT quarterfinals. The 114 victories trail only Villanova among current BIG EAST schools.
   Creighton is 5-0 with five double-digit victories against in-state rival Nebraska since Zierden arrived on campus and 8-4 in conference tournament play. The trio have combined for 2,002 points, 832 rebounds and 209 assists in a collective 290 games and 109 starts in a Bluejay uniform.

Top 25 Success
Creighton has four wins over top-25 teams this season, more than any campaign in program history. Five previous teams had two top-25 victories in the same season.
Most Top-25 Wins, Season
   Wins   Season   Top-25 Victims
   4   2016-17   #9 Wisconsin, #12 Butler,
           #16 Butler, #22 Xavier
   2   1973-74   #6 Marquette, #16 Louisville
   2   2001-02   #15 Florida, #17 Western Kentucky
   2   2006-07   #11 Southern Illinois, #24 Xavier
   2   2013-14   #4 Villanova, #6 Villanova
   2   2015-16   #5 Xavier, #18 Butler

Foster Chases BIG EAST Scoring Lead
Creighton guard Marcus Foster has scored in double-figures each of the last 17 games and ranks second in the BIG EAST Conference with 18.3 points per game.
   That puts him just behind Villanova's Josh Hart (18.9 ppg.) and just ahead of Xavier's Trevon Bluiett (18.1 ppg.) in the race for the league lead.
   In conference-only action, Foster's 18.0 ppg. ranked second, trailing only Hart (18.2 ppg.) by three points over the course of 18 games.
   Should Foster finish on top of the ledger, it'd be the fourth time in the last six seasons that a Creighton player has led his league in points per game (all games), as Doug McDermott did so in 2011-12 (MVC), 2012-13 (MVC) and 2013-14 (BIG EAST).

McDermott Earns 100th Home Win
Creighton's Feb. 28 win over St. John's marked Greg McDermott's 100th home victory at Creighton, as he moved to 100-24. All of those home games have come at CenturyLink Center Omaha.
   In Creighton history, only Dana Altman (199-46 at home) and Arthur A. Schabinger (108-30) at home) had previously reached 100 home wins.
   Schabinger coached at Creighton from 1922-35, when Creighton played its games at the Vinardi Center's "Old Gym" on campus.
   Altman was 102-28 at the Omaha Civic Auditorium and 97-18 at CenturyLink Center Omaha as CU head coach. Altman's Oregon team went 1-1 at CenturyLink Center Omaha in the 2015 NCAA Tournament was 0-1 in the 2011 CBI at CenturyLink Center Omaha.

Road Warriors
Creighton is 12-5 away from home this winter (7-4 road, 5-1 neutral), outscoring foes by an average of 6.3 points per game. Creighton's victims in that time include Washington State, North Carolina State, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Arizona State, St. John's, Providence (twice), No. 22 Xavier, No. 16 Butler, DePaul and Xavier.
   Prior to a Jan. 25 loss at Georgetown, Creighton had last won its first eight games away from home in 1942-43.
   This year also marked the first time that Creighton has won its first five true road games since the 1942-43 club won its first eight.
   Each of Creighton's last 11 NCAA Tournament teams have won 10 or more games away from home, and 10 of those teams had a winning record in true road contests.
   Creighton is shooting 42.0 percent from three-point range in road/neutral games this season while holding foes to 31.4 percent marksmanship from deep. In these games, Creighton's senior class is shooting a combined 48.0 percent (60-125) from three-point territory in those games.

Going Streaking, Part 1
Isaiah Zierden recently had a streak of 26 straight free throws made between Jan. 4 and March 9 come to an end vs. Providence.
   For the season, Zierden is 37-of-40 (92.5 percent) from the charity stripe overall on the year, and a career 87.0 (140-161) percent shooter at the line.
   Below is a list of Creighton's longest streaks on record for consecutive free throws made:
Consecutive Free Throws Made, Since 1980
   FT   Name   Dates of Streak
   45   Doug McDermott   Dec. 1, 2013 - Jan. 4, 2014
   36   Booker Woodfox   Dec. 6, 2008-Jan. 6, 2009
   35   Bob Portman   1967-68
   32   Michael Lindeman   Jan. 23-Nov. 29, 2003
   28   Kyle Korver   Jan. 27-March 15, 2001
   28   Doug McDermott   March 10 - Nov. 8, 2013
   27   Matt West   Nov. 27, 1999-Jan. 15, 2000
   27   Kyle Korver   Jan. 29-Nov. 20, 2000
   27   Nate Funk   Dec. 30, 2006-Jan. 12, 2007
   26   Isaiah Zierden   Jan. 7, 2017 - Present
   24   Rick Apke   Jan. 22-Feb. 5, 1977
   24   Rod Mason   Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 1988
   24   Kyle Korver   Mar. 15-Dec. 4, 2001
   24   Ethan Wragge   Feb. 3, 2010 - Feb. 1, 2012

Going Streaking, Part 2
Marcus Foster has scored at least 10 points in each of his last 17 games. Other players in the BIG EAST with double-figure scoring streaks of 14 or longer include Villanova's Josh Hart (39), Georgetown's Rodney Pryor (16) and Seton Hall's Angel Delgado (14).

Shooting Stars
Creighton ranks third in the nation in field goal percentage, connecting at a 50.8 percent clip. Only UCLA (51.9 percent) and Gonzaga (51.8 percent) were also over 50.7 percent through Sunday.
   Creighton also shot the ball well in league play, draining BIG EAST best 49.4 percent of its attempts, the best mark in league play since Creighton shot 49.9 percent in 2013-14, and the best mark by a non-Creighton team since Georgetown (.505) in 2006-07.

Among The Nation's Best Under McDermott
Below is where Creighton ranks nationally in the since Greg McDermott took over in 2010-11, per Basketball-Reference.com:
2010-11 to March 12, 2017
Category   Stat   NCAA Rank
Assists   3,980   4th
FG Percentage   .480   4th
3FG Percentage   .388   4th
3FG Made   2,072   6th
FG Made   6,586   12th
Wins   166   T-29th
Winning Percentage   .672   40th

Foster Distributes, Too
Marcus Foster had a season-high eight assists in the Feb. 25 game at Villanova. He has now distributed 51 helpers in his last 14 games after dishing just 32 dimes in the first 20 games of the year.
   Against Seton Hall, Foster became the first Bluejay since 2000 to have at least 23 points, six rebounds and six assists in the same game. On that occasion, Ryan Sears had 25 points, eight rebounds and assists at Southern Illinois on January 8, 2000.
   The only other BIG EAST players with a game of at least 23 points, six rebounds and six assists this year have been Xavier's Edmond Sumner and St. John's Shamorie Ponds.
   Foster's game against Georgetown of 35 points, five rebounds and five assists. He's Creighton's first player with a 35/5/5 line since Benoit Benjamin had 45 points, 16 rebounds and five assists vs. Indiana State on January 19, 1985.

3-Ball Returns
Creighton was leading the nation in three-point percentage (45.3 percent) when it took the floor to open BIG EAST play vs. Seton Hall on December 28th.
   Creighton struggled in the first half of BIG EAST play, making just 54-of-180 (30.0 percent) of its attempts in the first nine league games.
   The Bluejays have regained their shooting stroke in the last 10 games, draining 113-of-271 three-point shots (41.7 percent). That stretch started not long after a dreadful 1-for-18 showing from long-range at Georgetown on January 25th.
   Creighton has made 13 or more trifectas eight times this winter, and 10 or more in 14 contests.

Double-Double Fun
Justin Patton had 11 points and a season-high 11 rebounds in a Feb. 11th at DePaul, the third double-double of the season for the Omaha native.
   Patton is just the third Creighton freshman since 1988-89 to post a double-double, joining Ronnie Harrell Jr. (1 in 2015-16) and Doug McDermott (9 in 2010-11).
   Patton (1) and McDermott (5) are the only two freshmen in that time to have a double-double in a league game, as well.

No Doubting This Thomas
Khyri Thomas has been on quite a roll of late. In the last 13 games, the sophomore from Omaha has averaged 13.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, doing all that with a 58/36 assist/turnover ratio.
   For the season, Thomas leads Creighton in steals and is second on the team in rebounds, assists, and blocks.
   Surprisingly for a guy who has played the '3' position most of the season, Thomas ranks fifth in the BIG EAST with 115 assists this winter.

Jays Were Ranked In 16th Straight Polls
The Creighton men's basketball team fell out of the top-25 for the first time all season when the Feb. 27 poll was released.
   That snapped a 16-week stretch of rankings that had been one shy of the school-record.
   The 16 weeks the Bluejays have been ranked this year tie a school-record for one season, first done in 2012-13.
   Earlier this year on Jan. 16 Creighton was ranked as high as seventh in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches poll
   Creighton has now been ranked in 84 weeks in program history, with 56 of those under the direction of seventh-year head coach Greg McDermott.
   Below is a list of the best weekly rankings in the AP poll in program history:
Best Weekly AP Rankings, Creighton History
7th - 1/16/17
8th - 1/9/17
9th - 3/1/14
9th - 12/19/16
10th - 1/20/03
10th - 11/28/16
10th - 12/5/16
10th - 12/12/16
10th - 12/26/16
10th - 1/2/17

Most Consecutive Weeks in AP Poll, Creighton History
   Weeks   Dates
   17   Feb. 27, 2012 - Feb. 4, 2013
   16   Nov. 11, 2016 - Feb. 20, 2017
   15   Dec. 14, 2002 - March 20, 2003
   8   Jan. 27, 2014 - March 17, 2014
   5   Feb. 12, 1974 - March 12, 1974
   5   Feb. 4, 1975 - March 4, 1975
   5   Jan. 9, 2012 - Feb. 6, 2012

Most Weeks in AP Poll, Same Season, Creighton History
   Weeks   Season   Final W-L   Postseason
   16   2012-13   28-8   NCAA (1-1)
   16   2016-17   25-9 so far   TBD
   15   2002-03   29-5   NCAA (0-1)
   12   2011-12   29-6   NCAA (1-1)
   11   2013-14   27-8   NCAA (1-1)

20 Wins, Again
Creighton has won 20 or more games in 17 of the last 19 seasons (including 2016-17), a feat that puts the Jays among an exclusive group, nationally.
   Just three schools nationally have had 20 or more wins each of the previous 18 years (entering 2016-17): Duke, Gonzaga and Kansas.
   Kentucky , Florida, Texas and Syracuse have each done it in 17 of the previous 18 seasons (entering 2016-17).
   Along with Arizona, Xavier and Connecticut, Creighton was one of four schools with 20 or more wins in exactly 16 of the previous 18 years (entering 2016-17).
   This is the 28th time in program history that Creighton has won 20 or more games in a season.
   The win also matched Creighton's victory total (20) from all of last season in 35 games.
   Below is a list of the teams with at least 16 seasons (entering 2016-17) of 20 or more wins since 1998-99, with records through games of March 12th.
20+ Wins - Each of Last 18 Seasons (entering 2016-17)
Team   2016-17 W-L   Next Game
Gonzaga   32-1   3/16
Kansas   28-4   3/17
Duke   27-8   3/17

20+ Wins - 17 of Last 18 Seasons (entering 2016-17)
Team   2016-17 W-L   Next Game
Kentucky   29-5   3/17
Florida   24-8   3/16
Syracuse   18-14   3/14
Texas   11-22   Done

20+ Wins - 16 of Last 18 Seasons (entering 2016-17)
Team   2016-17 W-L   Next Game
Arizona   30-4   3/16
Creighton   25-9   3/17
Xavier   21-13   3/16
Connecticut   16-17   Done

20 Wins Reached, Again
Creighton picked up its 20th win of the season on Tuesday, Jan. 31, with a victory at Butler.
   It's the second time in program history that Creighton has reached the 20-win milestone before the end of January.
   The 2011-12 team that tied a school-record with 29 victories improved to 20-2 with a win on January 28, 2012.

Clement Honored By CoSIDA
Creighton men's basketball guard Tyler Clement has been named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District 7 First Team. A junior from Shawnee, Kan., Clement owns a perfect 4.00 GPA in Creighton's Heider College of Business as a Financial Analysis and Marketing major.
   Clement is Creighton's first men's basketball student-athlete to receive Academic All-District acclaim since Anthony Tolliver in 2006-07. Tolliver would go on to earn CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team honors.
   Clement averages 1.6 points, 1.3 assists and 1.0 rebounds in 9.0 minutes per game.
   Clement is a three-time selection to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team and has also been named to the Creighton Dean's List after all seven semesters that he's been enrolled. Last season Clement was also named to the NABC Honors Court.

Talented Thomas
Best Defensive Player? Most Improved? Most Underrated? There's a lot of titles you could bestow on Khyri Thomas, who continues to fly under the radar as one of the BIG EAST's top players.
   The sophomore from Omaha leads the team in steals and is second on the squad in rebounding, assists and blocked shots.
   Thomas tied a career-high by sinking 4-of-5 three-point shots in Creighton's Jan. 31 win at Butler. Creighton is 17-4 this year, and 26-9 in his career, when he drains a trifecta.
   Since arriving on campus, Thomas has made 46-of-103 (44.7 percent) three-pointers in Creighton wins compared to 21-of-67 (31.3 percent) marksmanship from deep in Bluejay losses.
   Thomas scored in double-figures in 13-of-18 BIG EAST games this winter after never doing that as a freshman.
   Thomas entered that Butler game 9-for-55 (16.4 percent) in his career against BIG EAST foes from three-point range, compared to 36-of-64 (56.3 percent) shooting from deep in games against all other clubs.

Foster A Naismith Trophy Candidate
Creighton guard Marcus Foster was one of the final 30 players in consideration for the 2017 Naismith Men's College Player of the Year, though he did not advance to the final 10.
   Foster is second in the BIG EAST in scoring at 18.3 points per game, which puts him on pace for the highest scoring average by a Bluejay newcomer since 1969-70. He's been a two-time BIG EAST Player of the Week (Nov. 28, Dec. 26), and was also named MVP of the Paradise Jam in November. The Wichita Falls, Texas, native, has scored 10 points or more in 32-of-34 games to date, including a season-high 30 vs. Marquette on Jan. 21. Foster owns 623 points so far at Creighton after scoring 875 points in his first two years at Kansas State.
   Foster has started all 34 games this season for the Bluejays, who are off to a 25-9 start. He is one of three BIG EAST players on the list, joining the Villanova duo of Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson.
   Foster had been looking to become Creighton's second Naismith Men's College Player of the Year winner in the last four years, as Doug McDermott hauled in the honor following the 2013-14 season.

Foster Up For Jerry West Award
Creighton men's basketball guard Marcus Foster is one of five finalists for the 2017 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
   Named after Hall of Famer and 1959 NCAA Final Four Most Valuable Player Jerry West, the annual honor in its third year recognizes the top shooting guards in Division I men's college basketball.
   The winner of the 2017 Jerry West Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show live from The Novo by Microsoft in downtown Los Angeles on Friday, April 7, 2017. Broadcast information will be released at a later date.
   Previous winners of the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award include Buddy Hield, Oklahoma (2016) and D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State (2015).

Patton Up For Wayman Tisdale Award
Creighton center Justin Patton was named to the U.S. Basketball Writers Association's midseason watch list for the Wayman Tisdale Award, given to the National Freshman of the Year.
   Balloting for the USBWA's All-America Team, All-District Teams and the association's individual awards will take place in March.

We're Jamming!
Justin Patton has 71 of CU's 140 dunks this season, with Marcus Foster (23), Khyri Thomas (19), Martin Krampelj (11), Zach Hanson (6), Ronnie Harrell Jr. (3), Toby Hegner (2), Cole Huff (3), Davion Mintz (1) and Kobe Paras (1) accounting for the others. Of Patton's dunks, 32 have been on lobs.
   The 140 dunks are far more than any previous season under Greg McDermott, easily eclipsing the mark of 58 dunks in 35 games last year, and exceeding the 87 dunks in 68 games over the previous two seasons combined.
   Here's a look at the Creighton student-athletes with 20 or more dunks in a season, and 19 or more dunks in a career, under McDermott:
Most Creighton Dunks, Season, Since 2010-11
Dunks   Name   Year
71   Justin Patton   2016-17
36   Gregory Echenique   2012-13
30   Gregory Echenique   2011-12
24   Gregory Echenique   2010-11
23   Marcus Foster   2016-17
22   Kenny Lawson Jr.   2010-11

Most Creighton Dunks, Career, Since 2010-11
Dunks   Name   Years
90   Gregory Echenique   2010-13
71   Justin Patton   2016-Pres.
38   Will Artino   2011-15
32   Zach Hanson   2013-Pres.
31   Khyri Thomas   2015-Pres.
25   Geoffrey Groselle   2012-16
23   Marcus Foster   2016-Pres.
22   Kenny Lawson Jr.   2010-11
19   Doug McDermott   2010-14

Most Creighton Dunks, Team, Season, Since 2010-11
Dunks   Year   Team W-L
140   2016-17   25-9 (NCAA) so far
58   2015-16   20-15 (NIT)
56   2010-11   23-16 (CBI)
54   2012-13   28-8 (NCAA)
42   2011-12   29-6 (NCAA)
35   2013-14   27-8 (NCAA)
29   2014-15   14-19

Mintz Shows His Stuff
Freshman Davion Mintz showed what he was capable of on January 21 vs. Marquette in his first extensive playing time with the regular rotation.
   Mintz came off the bench and established or tied season-highs in virtually every category, including minutes (26), points (17), assists (8), rebounds (3), field goals (4), free throws (7) and blocks (1). Creighton outscored Marquette 69-63 with him on the floor.
   Mintz is one of seven BIG EAST players in the last seven years with a game of at least 17 points and eight assists against Marquette, joining star guards such as Ryan Arcidiacono, Bryce Cotton, Sterling Gibbs, Isaiah Whitehead, Trevon Bluiett and Maurice Watson Jr. Of that group, Mintz was the only one to do it in a reserve role.
   Among Creighton players, Mintz joins Austin Chatman (twice), Grant Gibbs (once), Maurice Watson Jr. (six times) and Antoine Young (once) as the only players with a game of 17 points and eight assists in the seven-year era of Greg McDermott.
   No other Bluejay has had a game of 17 points and eight assists off the bench in the last 35 seasons (going back to 1981-82).

Over .500, Again
Creighton has been better than .500 at the midway point in league play in 20 of the last 21 seasons, including this year.
   Creighton has also gone 5-4 or better in the second half of league action in 18 of the last 21 seasons.
   Creighton has made the postseason each of the previous 19 times (including 2016-17) it's been 5-4 or better at the midway point, and missed it the only time they weren't in that span.
   Here's how Creighton's teams have fared in the various halves of the MVC/BIG EAST season since 1995-96.
Year   1st Half   2nd Half
2016-17   6-3   4-5
2015-16   5-4   4-5
2014-15   1-8   3-6
2013-14   8-1   6-3
2012-13   7-2   6-3
2011-12   8-1   6-3
2010-11   5-4   5-4
2009-10   5-4   5-4
2008-09   5-4   9-0
2007-08   5-4   5-4
2006-07   6-3   7-2
2005-06   7-2   5-4
2004-05   5-4   6-3
2003-04   7-2   5-4
2002-03   8-1   7-2
2001-02   8-1   6-3
2000-01   5-4   9-0
1999-00   5-4   6-3
1998-99   6-3   5-4
1997-98   5-4   7-2
1996-97   5-4   5-4
1995-96   4-5   5-4
Total   126-72 (.636)   126-72 (.636)

Hanson Hurt, But Heals
Senior center Zach Hanson was expected to miss 8-12 weeks after tearing a tendon and the ligaments in his left ankle during Creighton's win over Ole Miss on Nov. 21st. Hanson underwent surgery on Nov. 28th, and the senior played five minutes at Georgetown on Jan. 28 in his first action in nearly two months.
   Hanson has made 30-of-48 shots since he's returned, contributing 66 points and 26 rebounds in 126 minutes of work.
   A Pierre, S.D., native, Hanson is averaging 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game while shooting 64.4 percent from the field in 10.1 minutes per game.
   Even though he wasn't on the court while injured, Hanson maintained a strong leadership role on the team as he mentored freshmen centers Justin Patton and Martin Krampelj.

Home Run
Since Greg McDermott took over in 2010, Creighton is averaging 79.41 points per home game (9,847 points in 124 home games).
   Since a 92-83 loss to Southern Illinois on Feb. 19, 2000, Creighton had been 127-0 at home (97-0 at CenturyLink Center Omaha) when scoring 78 points or more, and 107-0 at home (80-0 at CenturyLink Center Omaha) when scoring 80 points or more at home dating to that same setback, before a January 21st, 102-94 loss to Marquette. Creighton also lost on Feb. 4 vs. Xavier, 82-80.

BIG EAST > "Football 5" ???
Creighton has knocked off teams from the Big Ten (Wisconsin and Nebraska), Pac-12 (Arizona State and Washington State), ACC (North Carolina State) and SEC (Ole Miss) this year, all by nine or more points.
   Those six non-conference wins over the "Football 5" leagues were the most of any other team in the nation during the regular-season.
   The BIG EAST owns 27 non-conference wins over "Football 5" leagues, second-most of any league in the nation.
MBB Non-Conference Wins Over
"Football 5" Leagues, By Team
   6   Creighton
   5   Butler
   5   Gonzaga
   5   UCLA
   5   Kansas
   4   Xavier
   4   Seton Hall
   4   Clemson
   4   Baylor

MBB Wins Over "Football 5" Leagues, By Conference
   31   Atlantic Coast
   27   BIG EAST
   21   Big 12
   18   Southeastern
   17   Big Ten
   12   Pac-12

Paint It Blue
Creighton's offense is known for its proficiency from three-point range, but don't overlook the work done inside the paint, as well.
   Creighton has outscored opponents 1,262-1,014 in the paint this year, the program's best margin, and most points in the paint scored, in that category since the school started tracking the stat in 2003-04.
   Only five opponents all year have outscored CU in the paint this season over the course of a game.

Quick Out Of The Gates
Creighton continues to race to the lead in the opening minutes on a regular basis this season.
   In fact, Creighton owned a double-digit lead at some point in each of its first 19 games this year, and all but seven games overall (Marquette; at Georgetown; at Seton Hall, at Villanova, at Marquette, vs. Xavier, vs. Villanova) this season.
   Below is a list of some of Creighton's runs to start the game this season:
Opponent   Score   Time Left in 1st Half
UMKC   15-2   14:25
#9 Wisconsin   8-0   18:39
Washington State   12-4   17:27
Buffalo   15-6   13:18
Akron   12-3   15:20
Nebraska   14-2   15:17
Longwood   11-2   16:42
Oral Roberts   6-0   19:10
#1 Villanova   19-9   14:30
St. John's   7-0   16:25
Providence   10-0   16:31
#12 Butler   19-9   12:12
Truman State   17-3   13:56
#22 Xavier   11-4   15:16
DePaul   15-2   13:15
Georgetown   11-4   16:34
St. John's   11-0   15:35

It's Been 100 Years
January 12th marked the 100th anniversary of the first recorded game in Creighton men's basketball history, as Creighton topped Peru State 30-17 on January 12, 1917 in Omaha.
   Creighton went 17-3 in that first season despite never scoring more than 40 points in any game.
   Thomas E. Mills was the coach of that team.
   Omaha's population in 1920 was 191,601, while Creighton has hosted 296,013 fans this season in 17 home games.

Three-Point Options
Four Bluejays have made 100 or more collegiate three-pointers in their college careers.
   Marcus Foster owns 210 three-pointers, including 72 at Creighton.
   Isaiah Zierden owns 171 three-pointers in his career, 10th-most in schoon history.
   Toby Hegner owns 118 career treys, while Cole Huff has made 190 trifectas and 123 as a Bluejay.
   3FG   Name   Years
   371   Kyle Korver   1999-03
   334   Ethan Wragge   2009-14
   274   Doug McDermott   2010-14
   245   Ryan Sears   1997-01
   212   Rodney Buford   1995-99
   206   Jahenns Manigat   2010-14
   200   Nate Funk   2002-07
   185   Matt Roggenburk   1986-90
   177   Duan Cole   1987-92
   171   Isaiah Zierden   2013-17
   147   Booker Woodfox   2007-09

About That 13-0 Start
Creighton started this season 13-0 for the first time since the 1942-43 team started 16-0. Below is a list of Creighton's most successful starts without a loss, all-time:
Best Starts Without A Loss, Creighton History
Start   Year       Final W-L   First Loss
16-0   1942-43   *   16-1   Washington & Jefferson
13-0   2016-17       ? ? ?   #1 Villanova
12-0   2003-04   #   20-9   Northern Iowa
*Reached NCAA Tournament; #Reached NIT
!No postseason tournaments existed yet

#Winning
Creighton reeled off 13 straight wins to start the 2016-17 season. It was Creighton's longest win streak under Greg McDermott, as seen below.
Longest Win Streaks Under Greg McDermott at CU
   W's   Dates   Snapped By
   13   Nov. 11, 2016 - Present   #1 Villanova
   11   Dec. 1, 2012 - Jan. 15, 2013   at Wichita State
   11   Dec. 31, 2011 - Feb. 1, 2012   at Northern Iowa
   10   Dec. 3, 2013 - Jan. 14, 2014   at Providence

Win Streak History
Creighton's 13-0 start was its sixth streak of 13 straight wins or more all-time, and Creighton's longest winning streak since Tom Apke's 1974-75 club won 14 straight.
   The school-record streak is 38 straight wins, set over the course of CU's first four seasons of organized basketball nearly 100 years ago.
Creighton's Longest Win Streaks, All-Time
   W's   Dates   Coach   NCAA/NIT
   38   Feb. 22, 1917 - Feb. 11, 1920   Mills   Didn't exist
   17   Mar. 25, 1942 - Mar. 4, 1943   Hickey   NIT
   16   Jan. 31, 1928 - Jan. 23, 1929   Schabinger   Didn't exist
   14   Jan. 3 - Feb. 21, 1925   Schabinger   Didn't exist
   14   Jan. 2 - Feb. 22, 1975   Apke   NCAA
   13   Nov. 11 - Dec. 28, 2016    McDermott   ? ? ?

BIG EAST Playing Big
Though the BIG EAST may not be considered of the traditional "Football 5" Conferences due to its lack of big time football, the performance of the league has been big time for a long time.
   The league has owned a top-five RPI in the NCAA RPI rankings in every season since 2000-01, as seen below:
BIG EAST in Conference RPI Rankings
2016-17:   3rd (per WarrenNolan.com)
2015-16:   4th
2014-15:   3rd
2013-14:   4th
2012-13:   2nd
2011-12:   2nd
2010-11:   1st
2009-10:   3rd
2008-19:   4th
2007-08:   5th
2006-07:   5th
2005-06:   3rd
2004-05:   2nd
2003-04:   4th
2002-03:   5th
2001-02:   3rd
2000-01:   3rd

15 Treys & 50 Percent?
Creighton shot made 44-of-81 three-point attempts in three games at the Paradise Jam, good for 54.3 percent, in its only three previous games outside Omaha.
   The Bluejays shot 15-of-28 (53.6%) against Washington State, 13-of-27 (48.1%) against North Carolina State and 16-of-26 (61.5%) in the title tilt vs. Ole Miss.
   In program history, Creighton owns 11 all-time games in which it has made 15 or more three-pointers and shot 50 percent or better, as seen below. Two of those were in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Best 3FG%, Minimum 15 3FG Made
3FG%   Opponent   3FG-3FGA   Date
.667   Chattanooga   20-30   02/19/05
.640   Chicago State   16-25   12/29/13
.625   at Indiana State   15-24   12/31/08
.615   vs. Ole Miss   16-26   11/21/16
.600   at #4 Villanova   21-35   01/24/14
.600   Texas-Arlington   15-25   11/17/02
.600   vs. IUPUI   15-25   11/25/02
.593   Drake   16-27   01/08/13
.536   Missouri State   15-28   01/30/13
.536   vs. Washington State   15-28   11/18/16
.533   Evansville   16-30   01/04/99

Omaha's Team
Creighton has started Omaha natives Justin Patton and Khyri Thomas in all but one of its games so far, as Patton came off the bench on Senior Day when Zach Hanson got the start.
   It's the first time Creighton has started two Omaha products in the same game since March 16, 2000 vs. Auburn, when Matt West (Omaha Westside) and Donnie Johnson (Omaha Central) earned a nod.
   Johnson, coincidentally, coached Thomas at Omaha Benson High School.

Preseason BIG EAST Poll
Creighton was picked to finish third in its fourth season as BIG EAST Conference members according to a preseason poll of league coaches. Villanova was picked first with 81 points and nine first-place votes, while Xavier and Creighton round out the top three. Seton Hall and Georgetown tied for fourth place, while Butler, Marquette, St. John's, Providence and DePaul rounded out the bottom half.
   Creighton guard Maurice Watson Jr. was named Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team, while Marcus Foster was picked to be a Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable-Mention choice.

NBA Representation
This year marks the third straight season that Creighton has three NBA players at the same time, as Kyle Korver (Cleveland Cavaliers), Anthony Tolliver (Sacramento Kings) and Doug McDermott (Oklahoma City Thunder) are all in the league.
   Including 2016-17, Creighton has now had an NBA player in 33 of the last 34 years.
   Korver ranks fifth in NBA history with 2,026 three-pointers and is also seventh in league history with 43.0 percent marksmanship from three-point range (through March 12th). He set a single-season NBA mark that still stands with his 53.6 percent shooting from three-point range in 2009-10, and is the only player in league history to lead the NBA in three-point percentage three times. He's currently averaging 10.2 points per game while making 44.7 percent (second in the NBA) of his three-point attempts this year.
   Tolliver is averaging 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game this season for the Kings, his 11th NBA organization.
   McDermott was traded by the Chicago Bulls to Oklahoma City in late February. He is averaging 9.6 points per game and shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from three-point range.

Full House
Creighton is averaging 17,413 fans per home game this season, fifth-best nationally. That figure would rank 18th best in the NBA, ahead of 13 franchises.
   Last year was the 11th straight season that CU has been among the nation's top 25 in average home attendance, and the fifth straight season in the top-10 nationally in attendance, as well.
2016-17 Attendance Leaders (3/12)
   Rk.   School   Average   Next Home
   1.   Kentucky   23,462   Done
   2.   Syracuse   22,682   Done
   3.   Louisville   20,846   Done
   4.   North Carolina   18,067   Done
   5.   Creighton   17,413   Done
   6.   Wisconsin   17,286   Done
   7.   Maryland   16,628   Done
   8.   Kansas   16,395   Done
   9.   Indiana   16,364   TBD
   10.   North Carolina State   15,907   Done

Highest Average Attendance, Creighton History
   Avg. Att.   School   Year
   17,896   Creighton   2013-14
   17,413   Creighton   2016-17
   17,155   Creighton   2012-13
   17,048   Creighton   2014-15
   16,665   Creighton   2011-12

Some Loyal Fans
Creighton has surpassed 200,000 home fans for the 12th straight season in 2016-17, and its 296,013 fans rank fourth-most in program history. The 302,887 home fans last season ranked as the most in school history.
   Creighton had never attracted more than 141,000 home fans in any season prior to the opening of CenturyLink Center Omaha, and now has done it in the last 14 seasons (including this year).
   Creighton has led its conference in home attendance every year since moving into CenturyLink Center Omaha, which is in its 14th season.
Creighton's Most Home Fans, Season
Rk.   Year   G   Attendance   Average
1.   2015-16   19   302,887   15,941
2.   2008-09   19   302,676   15,930
3.   2010-11   22   297,161   13,507
4.   2016-17   17   296,013   17,413
5.   2012-13   17   291,643   17,155

Release, Rotation, Splash, Repeat
Creighton has made at least one three-pointer in 782 straight games since a 59-53 loss at Illinois State on Feb. 20, 1993. The streak is the nation's 20th-longest active streak through games of March 12th.
   Creighton's last win without making a three-point basket came on March 3, 1991 when the Jays went 0-for-2 from three-point range in a 71-66 win over Southern Illinois in the championship game of the MVC Tournament.
   Below is a list of the nation's longest active three-point streaks.
Longest Active 3-Point Streaks (3/13)
   Rk.   Streak   School   Next Game
   1.   1,009   Kentucky   3/17
   2.   1,006   UNLV   Done
   3.   998   Vanderbilt   3/16
   4.   982   Duke   3/17
   5.   936   Western Kentucky   Done
   6.   935   Arkansas   3/17
   7.   926   East Tennessee State   3/16
   8.   917   Pacific   Done
   9.   898   Oakland   3/14
   10.   893   Texas   Done
   11.   873   Princeton   3/16
   12.   843   Marshall   Done
   13.   840   La Salle   Done
   14.   832   Baylor   3/17
   15.   808   LIU-Brooklyn   Done
   16.   806   Gonzaga   3/16
   17.   801   Cornell   Done
   18.   790   Mount St. Mary's   3/14
   19.   785   Tennessee State   Done
   20.   782   East Carolina   Done
       782   Creighton   3/17

Top-20 Crowds
Here's a look at Creighton's top-20 home crowds all-time. The Villanova crowd of 18,831 Dec. 31 was third-most in school history.
      Rank   Att.   Opponent   Date
   1.   18,868   Providence   03/08/14
   2.   18,859   Georgetown   01/25/14
   3.   18,831   #1 Villanova   12/31/16
   4.   18,797   #6 Villanova   02/16/14
   5.   18,742   Seton Hall   02/23/14
   6.   18,735   Wichita State   02/11/12
   7.   18,613   Wichita State   03/02/13
   8.   18,525   Marquette   12/31/13
   9.   18,494   Illinois State   02/09/13
   10.   18,458   Evansville   12/29/12
   11.   18,436   Bradley   01/28/12
   12.   18,323   DePaul   02/07/14
   13.   18,160   Central Arkansas   11/14/14
   14.   18,145   Marquette   01/21/17
   15.   18,111   Bradley   02/02/13
   16.   18,084   Seton Hall   12/28/16
   17.   18,078   Tulsa   11/23/13
   18.   18,073   Drake   01/08/13
   19.   18,032   #12 Butler   01/11/17
   20.   17,971   #19 Butler   02/16/15

Multiple Choices
Creighton had four men average in double-figures in 2015-16, Maurice Watson Jr. (14.1), Cole Huff (11.3), Geoffrey Groselle (11.2) and Isaiah Zierden (10.2).
   Creighton had not previously had four men finish the year scoring in double-figures since 1979-80, when Kevin McKenna, Jim Honz, George Morrow and Daryl Stovall did so.
   This year's team also has four men scoring at a double-figure clip, with Huff not far behind at 9.1 ppg.

Très Bien
Since 2011-12, Creighton is 62-50 (.554) when shooting 40.00 percent or worse from three-point range. While respectable, that pales in comparison to CU's 80-14 (.851) mark the last six years when shooting better than 40.00 percent from downtown.
   Lower the standards to 30%, and it's still impressive. Creighton is 123-35 in the last six years when shooting 30 percent or better from deep, compared to 19-30 when shooting 29.99 percent or less.

Big Deficits, No Big Deal
Creighton owns 16 victories under Greg McDermott after trailing by double-figures at some point. Nine of those comebacks came away from home, including the win over Ole Miss in the Virgin Islands on Nov. 21st.
   On Nov. 19, 2014, Creighton trailed 42-24 to No. 18 Oklahoma with 18:30 to go before putting together a comeback for the ages. It was CU's largest comeback victory under Greg McDermott (see chart below), and the second-biggest in the history of CenturyLink Center Omaha (see chart, left column on page four).
   On the other hand, CU is 144-12 under McDermott when putting together double-digit leads, including wins 132 of the last 140 times.
Double-Digit Comebacks Under Greg McDermott
Deficit   Opponent   Date
18   #18 Oklahoma   11/19/14
17   at San Diego State   11/30/11
16   at Evansville   02/16/13
14   Evansville   02/21/12
13   at Saint Joseph's   11/16/13
13   Xavier   01/12/14
12   Saint Joseph's   12/11/10
12   at DePaul   01/17/16
11   at Wichita State   12/31/11
11   Northern Iowa   01/10/12
11   vs. Alabama   03/16/12
11   vs. Ole Miss   11/21/16
10   UAB   11/14/12
10   vs. Drake   03/02/12
10   at Nebraska   12/07/14
10   South Dakota   12/09/14

CenturyLink Center Omaha Dramatics
Providence's Kris Dunn hit a game-winning shot as time expired to beat Creighton last Jan. 12th. It was the first game-winning shot with no time left to ever to beat Creighton at CenturyLink Center Omaha, exceeding the previous low with 1.9 seconds left by Butler's Roosevelt Jones in 2014-15.
   Dunn's shot was the first to beat Creighton (at any site) with no time left on the clock since Anthony James drained a game-winning three-pointer for Northern Iowa in a 65-62 win on Feb. 4, 2012 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
   Creighton is 7-7 in games with a game-winning go-ahead score in the final 10 seconds in the 14-year old facility.
Creighton's Go-Ahead Scores in Wins at CLCO, Last 10 Seconds
Date   Opponent   Score   Player/Score   Time
11/26/05   Dayton   W 91-90*   Funk FG   :5.7
01/28/06   Wichita St.   W 57-55   Tolliver FG   :0.0
11/25/06   George Mason   W 58-56   Watts FT   :7.5
03/18/08   Rhode Island   W 74-73   Witter 3FG   :3.2
01/13/10   Southern Illinois   W 71-69   Young FG   :1.3
02/18/12   Long Beach St.   W 81-79   Young FG   :0.3
01/28/14   St. John's   W 63-60   McDermott 3FG   :2.8
*double-overtime
Opponent Go-Ahead Scores in CU Losses at CLCO, Last 10 Seconds
Date   Opponent   Score   Player/Score   Time
03/20/06   Miami (Fla.)   L 53-52   G. Diaz FT   :2.6
01/20/07   Southern Illinois   L 58-57   B. Mullins FG   :4.1
01/10/15   #19 Seton Hall   L 68-67   S. Gibbs 3FG   :2.2
02/16/15   #19 Butler   L 58-56   R. Jones FG   :1.9
03/07/15   Xavier   L 74-73   D. Davis FT's   :6.3
01/12/16   #12 Providence   L 50-48   K. Dunn FG   :0.0
02/22/17   Providence   L 68-66   K. Cartwright 3FG   :2.4

What A Start!
Greg McDermott is 166-81 on the Creighton sideline in his seventh year at the helm. The 166 wins are easily the most in Creighton history in the first seven seasons, way more than Tom Apke's 130.
Most Wins at CU, First Seven Seasons
Coach   Years   W-L After 7 Yrs
Greg McDermott   2010-Pres.   166-81 so far
Tom Apke   1974-80   130-64
Dana Altman   1994-00   123-86
Red McManus   1959-65   105-75

CenturyLink Center Omaha Success
Creighton has played 239 regular and postseason contests at CenturyLink Center Omaha all-time in the 14-year-old facility.
   The Bluejays own a 197-42 (.824) record all-time at the facility, and have never lost there on a Thursday (7-0) or Friday (12-0).
   Creighton has outscored its opponents 18,341-15,477 in games at CenturyLink Center Omaha, an average margin of 11.98 points per game. Creighton has led wire-to-wire 67 different times, including 15 of its last 36 home games.
   Creighton is also 25-24 all-time in the 47 games at CLCO in which it's fallen behind by double-figures at any point, 7-9 when down by 10+ points at halftime at The Link, and 31-22 when trailing at halftime at CenturyLink Center Omaha.
   Creighton is 100-24 (.806) at CenturyLink Center Omaha under Greg McDermott, including a 57-4 record vs. non-conference teams.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go
Creighton averaged 79.63 points per game in 2015-16, and is scoring 82.12 points per game in 2016-17.
   Greg McDermott is 44-2 as a Division I head coach when his teams score 90 or more points, including a 38-2 mark on the Creighton sideline.
   In fact, McDermott's team scored 90 or more points 10 times (in 35 games) last season, compared to six total times in 280 games on the sideline in nine years at Northern Iowa and Iowa State.
   Creighton had won 75 straight games when scoring 90 or more points at all sites since a Jan. 11, 1988 loss to Southern Illinois, before a March 5, 2016 loss at Xavier by a 98-93 score.
   Creighton is 57-2 all-time when scoring 100 points or more, including 29 straight wins since a 1977 loss to North Texas.

Men's Basketball Heads to Sacramento For NCAA Tourney Game vs. Rhode Island

Players Mentioned

Tyler Clement

Marcus Foster

Geoffrey Groselle

Zach Hanson

Ronnie Harrell Jr.

Toby Hegner

Cole Huff

Kaleb Joseph

Martin Krampelj

Davion Mintz

Kobe Paras

Justin Patton

Khyri Thomas

Maurice Watson Jr.

Isaiah Zierden

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