Men's Basketball Visits One-Loss Oklahoma on Tuesday Night

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Game #11: Creighton Bluejays at Oklahoma Sooners
Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 • 8:05 p.m.
Lloyd Noble Center (11,562) • Norman, Okla.
Radio: KOZN 1620 AM, www.1620thezone.com
Television: ESPNU
Series History: Oklahoma leads, 3-2
Last Meeting: #3 Oklahoma 87, Creighton 74 on Dec. 19, 2015 in Norman, Okla.

Next Game
Creighton (7-3) renews a regional rivalry with Oklahoma (9-1) on Tuesday, Dec. 18, in the Bluejays' final non-conference road game of the winter.
   Tip-off at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., is set for 8:05 p.m.

Radio Broadcast Information
KOZN (1620 AM) will broadcast all Creighton men's basketball games during the 2018-19 season, while KOOO (101.9 FM) will also broadcast all home games. John Bishop and former Bluejay Taylor Stormberg will call the action.
   The audio is also webcast live at www.1620thezone.com.

Television Broadcast Information
Tuesday's tilt will be televised nationally on ESPNU, with Anish Shroff and Bryndon Manzer on the call.

Video Webcast Information
Tuesday's game will be streamed at no charge on WatchESPN.com.
   A cable authorization may be required.

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.
   Home games can also be followed by those who have mobile devices with internet capability at www.gocreightonstats.com.

Scouting Creighton
Creighton is 7-3 overall, including wins over No. 16 Clemson and defending conference champions Montana and Georgia State, while playing a challenging schedule that has already featured eight teams that won 22 or more games a year ago.
   On a national basis, Bluejays rank first in three-point percentage (.448), eighth in field goal percentage (.510) and fifth in three-pointers made per game (11.7).
   Creighton returns eight lettermen and two starters from last year's team that finished 21-12 and tied for third in the BIG EAST Conference with a 10-8 league record. The Bluejays advanced to its fifth NCAA Tournament in the past seven seasons, where it fell to eventual Elite Eight qualifier Kansas State.
   Each of Creighton's top three scorers are sophomores, a trio led by Cayman Islands Classic MVP Ty-Shon Alexander (18.2ppg.). Alexander poured in a career-high 36 points in the win over Clemson in the Cayman Islands Classic title game and scored 27 more vs. No. 1 Gonzaga on Dec. 1
   Mitch Ballock pours in 12.8 points per game and has dished a team-high 32 assists. Ballock has made 12-of-17 three-point shots in the past two games, upping his season totals to 34-for-68 (50.0 percent) from downtown.
   In addition, Damien Jefferson sat out last year as a transfer from New Mexico and is averaging 11.4 points and a team-best 5.9 rebounds per contest. He leads the BIG EAST with 55.0 percent shooting from three-point range.
   Creighton is leading the BIG EAST with 83.8 points per game, but also surrenders 77.1 points per contest.

Scouting Oklahoma
Oklahoma is off to a 9-1 start, which includes wins over Florida, Wichita State, USC and Notre Dame. OU's lone loss came to Wisconsin in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas.
   Five men average at least 8.9 points per game, a quinet led by Christian James (18.9 ppg.). James also averages 6.5 rebounds per game and has made 28 three-pointers in 10 games.
   Miles Reynolds (10.7 ppg.) and Brady Manek (10.2 ppg., 8.0 rpg.) also score in double-figures.
   The Sooners allow just 65.4 points per game and hold foes to 36.2 percent shooting from the field while outrebounding teams by 5.2 caroms per contest.

The Series vs. Oklahoma
Oklahoma leads the all-time series vs. Creighton by a 3-2 count, which dates back to a 27-16 Bluejay win in 1921.
   The Sooners won the only previous meeting in Norman by an 87-74 margin on Dec. 19, 2015, which was also the most recent meeting between the programs.
   Greg McDermott is 2-5 in his career against Oklahoma (1-1 as Creighton coach), including an 0-3 mark in Norman. The seven games have been decided by an average of 7.7 points. McDermott is 1-1 against Lon Kruger all-time.

The Creighton Coaches
Greg McDermott (Northern Iowa, 1988) is in his ninth season as head coach at Creighton, where he is 194-97 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 474-292 in his 25th season and is 343-228 in his 18th Division I campaign. McDermott is assisted by Preston Murphy, Alan Huss and Paul Lusk.

Mitch Can't Miss
Mitch Ballock made 7-of-10 three-pointers vs. Nebraska on Dec. 8, then sank 5-of-7 shots from downtown vs. Green Bay six days later.
   Ballock is the first Bluejay with at least five three-pointers in consecutive games since Marcus Foster on Jan. 27-Feb. 1, 2018, and the first to do it while shooting 70 percent or better from downtown in each contest since Doug McDermott on March 8-13, 2014. Like Ballock, McDermott had a 7-for-10 game, as well as a 5-for-7 contest.
   To find the last Creighton player to make five (or more) three-pointers in three straight games, you'd have to go all the way back to Kyle Korver, who did it in four straight contests from Nov. 17-26, 2002.

Three If By Sea
Creighton made 10 or more three-pointers in all three games of the Cayman Islands Classic, going 12-for-22 vs. Boise State, 14-for-32 vs. Georgia State and 10-of-26 vs. No. 16 Clemson.
   Creighton then went 13-of-24 overall from deep vs. Montana, 14-for-34 vs. Gonzaga, 11-for-27 at Nebraska and 14-for-33 vs. Green Bay.
   That means Creighton now owns seven straight games with 10+ three-pointers for the first time in program history. It also makes Creighton the only team with an active streak of seven or more games with 10+ three-pointers.
   Creighton has made 10 or more three-pointers 117 times (tied for second nationally since 2010-11) in 291 games under Greg McDermott, winning 91 of those contests (77.8 percent).
   This season, Creighton ranks first nationally in three-point percentage (.448), fifth in three-pointers made per game (11.7) and 15th in three-pointers made (117).
   Creighton and the The Citadel are the nation's only teams with nine or more three-pointers in every game this season.

Free Falling
Despite a team of star marksmen from behind the arc, Creighton ranks just 321st nationally this season at the free throw line with its 63.3 percent marksmanship.
   The free throw woes have yet to cost the Bluejays too much, as CU shoots 70.4 percent in the last five minutes from the stripe during its six games decided by 12 points or less.
   This year's struggles would definitely seem like and aberration, as the Bluejays rank 41st nationally in free throw percentage at 72.3 percent since Greg McDermott took over in 2010.

Like Father, Like Son
Both Greg McDermott and Lon Kruger have had memorable seasons coaching their son at the college level.
   McDermott coached his son Doug from 2010-14 at Creighton. Along the way, his son was a National Player of the Year, three-time league MVP, and graduated as the fifth-leading scorer in NCAA history with 3,150 career points. The Bluejays won 107 games in that time, including 23, 27, 28 and 29-win seasons and collecting three NCAA Tournament wins. Doug McDermott now plays for the Indiana Pacers.
   Kruger coached his son, Kevin, at UNLV during the 2006-07 season. Anchored by the play of third-team all-MWC son (13.5 ppg., 5.1 apg.), the Rebels would finish 30-7 and reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in their only year together.

McDermott, Tisdale Share Common Bond
Only three men in the last 34 years have been named a First Team All-American by the Associated Press in three consecutive seasons: Doug McDermott, Wayman Tisdale and Patrick Ewing.
   McDermott graduated from Creighton in 2014 with 3,150 career points, while Tisdale wrapped up his outstanding three-year career in 1985 with 2,661 career points.
   Ewing, who like Tisdale wrapped up his career in 1985, now coaches at his alma mater, BIG EAST foe Georgetown.

Only The Best For The Bluejays & Sooners
Creighton and Oklahoma are responsible for two of the last five Wooden Award winners, as Creighton's Doug McDermott (2013-14) and Oklahoma's Buddy Hield (2015-16) have both been honored in recent years.
   And even though Creighton dropped football in 1942, the Bluejays and Sooners are also responsible for two of the last five Heisman Trophy winners on the gridiron, thanks to recent Oklahoma QB's Baker Mayfield (2017) and Kyler Murray (2018).
Last 5 Wooden Award Winners
Year   Name, School
2013-14   Doug McDermott, Creighton
2014-15   Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
2015-16   Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
2016-17   Frank Mason III, Kansas
2017-18   Jalen Brunson, Villanova

Last 5 Heisman Trophy Winners
Year   Name, School
2014   Marcus Mariota, Oregon
2015   Derrick Henry, Tennessee
2016   Lamar Jackson, Louisville
2017   Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
2018   Kyler Murray, Oklahoma

Ten High
Sophomore Damien Jefferson's 116 points so far are among the top efforts by any Bluejay newcomer through 10 games since 1995-96.
Most Points, Newcomers First 10 Games Since 1995-96
   Pts.   Name, Class   Year   After 11
   169   Marcus Foster, Jr.   2016-17   191
   128   Doug McDermott, Fr.    2010-11   137
   120   Justin Patton, Fr.   2016-17   130
   117   Maurice Watson Jr., Jr.   2015-16   136
   116   Damien Jefferson, So.   2018-19   ? ? ?
   111   Gregory Echenique, So.   2010-11   128
   110   Cole Huff, Jr.   2015-16   122
   108   Khyri Thomas, Fr.   2015-16   114
   104   Rodney Buford, Fr.   1995-96   116
   103   P'Allen Stinnett, Fr.   2007-08   125
   101   Edward St. Fleur, Jr.   1995-96   110
   101   Brody Deren, So.   2001-02   115

Sooner Defense Meets The Bluejay Offense
Oklahoma allows opponents to shoot just 36.2 percent from the field, the sixth-best mark nationally. Even more impressively, opponents have shot just 38.2 percent from two-point range, a figure that ranks third-best nationally.
   Oklahoma has won all nine games when it has allowed opponents to shoot 42.0 percent or worse, but lost when Wisconsin shot 47.5 percent. The Badgers shot 63.6 percent from three-point range, making them just one of two teams (UTRGV, .474) to shoot better than 39.5 percent from downtown this fall against OU.
   On the other hand, Creighton shoots 51.0 percent from the field (8th nationally) and 55.9 percent from two-point range (54th nationally).
   Creighton has shot 43.3 percent or better from the field in all 10 games this season, and better than 39.5 percent from three-point range in eight of those contests.

When Three-Pointers Fall, Creighton Excels
Creighton enters Tuesday's game leading the nation in three-point field goal percentage at 44.8 percent. Only two teams nationally in the last 15 seasons have finished a year at 43.5 percent or better.
   In Greg McDermott's first eight seasons at Creighton, all five of his teams to shoot 37 percent or better from deep would go on to make the NCAA Tournament, and his lone team to shoot below 35 percent from downtown missed the postseason.
Creighton's National 3FG% Rank Under McDermott
Year   3FG% Rank   3FG%   W-L (Postseason)
2010-11   59th   .369   23-16 (CBI)
2011-12   3rd   .424   29-6 (NCAA)
2012-13   2nd   .414   28-8 (NCAA)
2013-14   1st   .414   27-8 (NCAA)
2014-15   165th   .345   14-19
2015-16   146th   .352   20-15 (NIT)
2016-17   17th   .396   25-10 (NCAA)
2017-18   75th   .372   21-12 (NCAA)
2018-19   1st   .448   7-3

Double-Digits x 10
Ty-Shon Alexander has scored in double-figures in each of Creighton's first 10 games of the season. It's the second time in as many years that a Bluejay has done that, as Marcus Foster opened his 2017-18 senior season with 15 straight games in double-digits.
   Since 1979-80, the only other sophomore to compile a streak of 10 or more double-figure games to start a season is Creighton's all-time leading scorer, Doug McDermott, who did it in all 35 games in 2011-12 en route to First Team All-America honors.
   Below is a list of Creighton's longest double figure scoring streaks to start a season since 1979-80:
Consecutive Double-Figure Scoring Games
To Start Year, Since 1979-80
   Consec.   Name, Class   Year
   all 35   Doug McDermott, So.   2011-12
   all 32   Vernon Moore, Sr.   1984-85
   28   Benoit Benjamin, Jr.   1984-85
   27   Bob Harstad, Sr.   1990-91
   16   Rod Mason, Sr.   1987-88
   15   Marcus Foster, Sr.   2017-18
   13   Rodney Buford, Sr.   1998-99
   12   Gary Swain, Sr.   1986-87
   10   Chad Gallagher, Sr.   1990-91
   10   Ty-Shon Alexander, So.   2018-19
   9   Rodney Buford, So.   1996-97

Getting Streaky
Ty-Shon Alexander is one of four players in the BIG EAST with 10 or more points in every game for his team this season, joining Jessie Govan (Georgetown), Markus Howard (Marquette) and Myles Powell (Seton Hall).
   Alexander and teammate Mitch Ballock are two of six players around the BIG EAST to make a three-pointer in every team game this season. They're joined by Howard, Powell, Sean McDermott (Butler) and Phil Booth (Villanova).

Big Deficits, No Big Deal
Creighton owns 20 victories under Greg McDermott after trailing by double-figures at some point, none larger than the 18-point deficit the Bluejays overcame against then-No.18 Oklahoma on Nov. 19, 2014.
   Ten of those 20 comebacks have come away from home.
   The comeback win over East Tennessee State earlier this season was just the second time in nine seasons under Greg McDermott that the Bluejays had trailed by 12+ points with less than seven minutes left and won. It first happened on Feb. 21, 2012, when Creighton trailed 73-61 to Evansville with 6:20 left before rallying to post a 93-92 overtime win.
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
12   East Tennessee State   11/11/18
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
10   St. John's   01/03/18
10   at DePaul   02/07/18
10   Bemidji State   02/13/18

Sophomores From Downtown
Ty-Shon Alexander was the first player in Creighton history to make multiple three-pointers in each of the first eight games of a season before he went 1-for-4 beyond the arc at Nebraska.
   His 34 three-pointers through 10 games rank tied for third-most ever in Creighton history with current teammate Mitch Ballock, trailing only the 45 by Kyle Korver in 2002-03 and the 38 by Ethan Wragge in 2013-14. Those two men are the only players in Bluejay history to make more than 100 treys in a season.
   Here's a look at Creighton's most three-pointers through 10 games in a season:
Most 3-Pointers, Creighton's First 10 Games
   3FG   Name   Year
   45   Kyle Korver   2002-03
   38   Ethan Wragge   2013-14
   34   Ty-Shon Alexander   2018-19
   34   Mitch Ballock   2018-19
   32   Kyle Korver   2000-01
   31   Booker Woodfox   2008-09
   30   Gary Swain   1986-87
   27   Isaiah Zierden   2014-15
   27   Isaiah Zierden   2015-16
   27   Marcus Foster   2017-18
   26   Tad Ackerman   1994-95
   26   Ethan Wragge   2012-13
   26   Doug McDermott   2013-14
   25   Terrell Taylor   2001-02
   25   Marcus Foster   2016-17

Z For 3
Marcus Zegarowski made a three-pointer in each of Creighton's first eight games before an 0-for-3 display from deep at Nebraska. He made up for it with a season-high three trifectas in the win over Green Bay last Friday.
   Zegarowski's eight straight games with a three-pointer to open his career tied the Creighton record for a freshman, matching the mark first set by Ryan Sears, in 1997-98.
   Sears wrapped up his career with a school-record 245 three-pointers, which currently ranks fourth in program history.

More Z
Creighton guard Marcus Zegarowski has been named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week, the league office announced on Monday, Dec. 17th.
   Zegarowski had 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal in Creighton's 86-65 win over Green Bay in his lone game last week.
    The freshman floor general made 4-of-8 shots, including a career-high three three-pointers. His six rebounds also tied a career-high.
    After Green Bay pulled within five points in the first eight minutes of the second half, Zegarowski scored the first five points during CU's decisive 16-5 run. The 35.0 percent shooting and 65 points were also season lows by a Creighton opponent and came against a high-powered Phoenix offense that ranked in the top-10 nationally by averaging more than 87 points per game.

A Good Start
Here's a look at how Creighton has done statistically after 10 games in recent seasons.
   Notably, this year's 117 three-pointers are the program's most ever after 10 games.
   If you're curious, the mark for most three-pointers after 11 games is 120 by the 2013-14 club.
    Of note, Creighton has started 5-5 or better after 10 games in 24 of the past 25 seasons (including 2018-19).
Creighton Stats Through 10 Games, Since 1994-95
Year   W-L   PPG   FG%   3FG   10+ PPG guys
2018-19   7-3   83.8   .510   117   3
2017-18   8-2   90.2   .516   102   3
2016-17   10-0   91.6   .544   99   4
2015-16   7-3   85.5   .506   93   5
2014-15   8-2   73.8   .438   85   2
2013-14   8-2   83.7   .491   113   2
2012-13   9-1   80.2   .519   90   2
2011-12   9-1   86.0   .516   90   2
2010-11   6-4   69.0   .426   74   3
2009-10   4-6   71.3   .450   78   2
2008-09   8-2   75.6   .439   89   3
2007-08   9-1   80.8   .478   84   2
2006-07   6-4   66.0   .408   59   3
2005-06   7-3   69.3   .405   70   3
2004-05   8-2   69.2   .434   80   2
2003-04   10-0   72.1   .463   61   2
2002-03   10-0   84.9   .526   97   1
2001-02   6-4   75.9   .439   63   3
2000-01   8-2   76.0   .445   83   3
1999-00   9-1   74.7   .458   84   2
1998-99   8-2   78.4   .454   79   2
1997-98   7-3   77.3   .467   73   1
1996-97   5-5   65.7   .409   57   2
1995-96   5-5   66.7   .390   56   3
1994-95   4-6   65.1   .404   66   3

Come One, Come All
Did you know that local area high school students can attend Creighton men's basketball home games during winter break at no charge?
   It's true.
   Tickets for CU's Dec. 20 (Coe), Dec. 27 (UMKC) and Jan. 9 (Marquette) are available for students, subject to availability, by presenting an active school ID on gameday.
   Tickets will be redeemed at the top of the escalators at the main west entrance of CHI Health Center Omaha starting 90 minutes prior to tip off.
   For more information, call the CU Ticket Office at (402) 280-JAYS.

100,00 Fans, Again
With 102,464 fans to date, this season marks the 17th straight season of 100,000 or more home fans for the program. The streak that started in the final season (2002-03) of the Omaha Civic Auditorium.
   Creighton has led its conference in home attendance each of the last 15 completed seasons, and is once again leading the way in the BIG EAST in 2018-19.

Bucket Getter
Jacob Epperson is shooting 88.9 percent (16-18) from the field in the last seven games.
   For the season, the sophomore is shooting 78.3 percent (18-23) from the field, including three dunks.
   Last year Epperson shot 34-for-49 from the field with 14 dunks.
   That means Epperson is now shooting 72.2 percent for his career from the field (52-for-72), which includes 17 dunks and 5-for-6 marksmanship from three-point range.
   In case you're curious, the NCAA record for field goal percentage in a career (minimum 400 FG and 4 FG/game) is 67.8 percent by Oregon State's Steve Johnson from 1977-81.

Challenging Schedule
Creighton's Dec. 8 game at Nebraska was the latest test in Creighton's challenging non-conference schedule.
   The Cornhuskers were the eighth straight Creighton opponent who won 22 or more games last season.
   East Tennessee State (25-9 last year), Ohio State (25-9), Boise State (23-9), Georgia State (24-11), Clemson (25-10), Montana (26-8), Gonzaga (32-5) and Nebraska (22-11) all won 22 or more times a year ago, and combined for a 202-72 record (.737) in 2017-18.
   Green Bay went 13-20 a year ago, and Oklahoma played its way into the top-five a year ago before finishing up with a 18-14 mark.

Offense Is Clicking
Creighton's offense has been even hotter than the weather in the Cayman Islands in the last seven games.
   Creighton has averaged 89.3 points per game in that span, shooting 52.2 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from three-point range (making 88 three-pointers) and 63.6 percent at the line.
   Bluejay sophomores Ty-Shon Alexander, Damien Jefferson, Mitch Ballock and Jacob Epperson have combined to average 51.4 points per game in that time while shooting a collective 55.0 percent from the field and draining 48.1 percent of its 129 shots from three-point range.

Sophomore Stars
Each of Creighton's top three scorers this season are sophomores, Ty-Shon Alexander (18.2 ppg.), Damien Jefferson (11.4 ppg.) and Mitch Ballock (12.8 ppg.).
   Of Creighton's 838 points this season, the sophomore class has scored 467 of them (55.7 percent).
   Creighton's freshmen have scored 17.4 percent, the juniors 19.7 percent and the seniors 7.2 percent.

Jefferson's Career High Keeps Movin' On Up
Sophomore Damien Jefferson posted career-high in scoring each of the first two games of the Cayman Islands Classic. He arrived in the Cayman Islands with a career-high of 14 points, done twice previously. He had 16 points against Boise State, then added 20 points a night later against Georgia State.
   Jefferson ranks third on the team with 11.4 points per game and leads the club with 5.9 rebounds per contest. He is shooting 60.0 percent (42-70) from the field this year, including 61.8 percent (34-55) in the last six games.
   For the season, Jefferson has made 11-of-20 shots from downtown to lead the BIG EAST in three-point marksmanship (55.0 percent), not bad for a guy who sank just 9-of-42 three-pointers (21.7 percent) as a freshman at New Mexico before using much of his redshirt year to hone his shot.

Alexander The Great
Ty-Shon Alexander's performance against No. 16 Clemson on Nov. 21 was historic for a number of reasons.
- Alexander's 36 points were the most by any Bluejay in a game since Doug McDermott had 45 points on March 8, 2014 vs. Providence. Since Greg McDermott was hired in 2010, the only other Bluejay with a game of 36 points or more is Doug McDermott, who did it eight times.
- Alexander's 36 points were the most by a Bluejay sophomore since McDermott had 36 points vs. Long Beach State on Feb. 18, 2012.
- Alexander's 36 points were the most by a player against Clemson since North Carolina's Harrison Barnes had 40 points in the 2011 ACC Tournament against the Tigers. Barnes was a former high school teammate of McDermott.
- Alexander is the first Bluejay to shoot 100 percent from the free-throw line with 11 attempts or more since McDermott was 13-for-13 at the stripe on Dec. 17, 2013 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff. No player had done that against Clemson since South Carolina's Chuck Eidson on Feb. 12, 2003.
- Alexander's 36 points vs. Clemson required just 16 field goal attempts. That's the fewest number of shot attempts to score 36+ points by a Creighton player since Bob Harstad had 38 points on 13-of-13 shooting in a win over UTSA on Nov. 30, 1990.
- Alexander's seven three-point baskets were the most by a Bluejay in one game since Cole Huff had seven on March 10, 2016 vs. Seton Hall, and the most by any Clemson opponent since Charlotte's Ian Anderson on Nov. 22, 2008.

Mitchapalooza
Mitch Ballock had the best all-around night of his career on Nov. 20 vs. Georgia State, finishing with team-highs of 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists. His 23 points were a career-high, one more than the 22 he scored exactly one year earlier in a win over nationally-ranked UCLA.
   Ballock is the first Creighton player with at least 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the same game since Ryan Sears had a 25/8/8 line at Southern Illinois on Jan. 8, 2000.
   In the Nov. 19 win over Boise State, Ballock dished seven assists, one shy of his career-best. He leads CU with 32 assists against just 12 turnovers this winter despite seeing much of his playing time as the "3" man in Creighton's offense.

On The Rebound
Damien Jefferson had to sit out last year after transferring in from New Mexico, but he made up for lost time on the glass in the season-opener.
   Jefferson grabbed 12 rebounds in just 23 minutes of work, breaking his previous high by three.
   Jefferson's 12 rebounds were the most by any Creighton player in their debut since Cyril Baptiste snared 17 boards in 1969.
   In his second game at CU, Jefferson had 14 points and two blocked shots vs. East Tennessee State. The two blocks were a career-high, while the 14 points matched his previous best (at the time).

Playing With The Lead
In 263 games at CHI Health Center Omaha all-time, Creighton has not trailed in 73 of those contests, a staggering 27.8 percent of the time.
   Under Greg McDermott at home, Creighton is 120-28 and hasn't trailed in 48 of those games.

CHI Health Center Omaha Success
Creighton has played 263 regular and postseason contests at CHI Health Center Omaha all-time in the 16-year-old facility.
   The Bluejays own a 217-46 (.825) record all-time at the facility, and have never lost there on a Friday (15-0).
   Creighton's Nov. 25, 2017 win over SIU Edwardsville was the program's 200th at the facility, coming in its 242nd home game. CU's 100th win came on Nov. 17, 2010, a 63-58 win over Louisiana.
   Creighton has outscored its opponents 20,446-17,145 in games at CHI Health Center Omaha, an average margin of 12.55 points per game. Creighton has not trailed 73 different times, including 21 of its last 60 home games.
   Creighton is also 28-27 all-time in the 55 games at the arena in which it's fallen behind by double-figures at any point, 7-10 when down by 10+ points at halftime in the facility, and 34-24 when trailing at halftime at CHI Health Center Omaha.
   Creighton is 120-28 (.811) at CHI Health Center Omaha under Greg McDermott, including a 70-6 record vs. non-conference teams.
   Factor in a 17-0 home mark at the Omaha Civic Auditorium in 2002-03 and two wins at the Civic in the 2010 CIT, and the Bluejays are 235-46 (.836) at home since the start of the 2002-03 campaign.

Preseason BIG EAST Poll Picks CU Ninth
Creighton has been picked to finish ninth in a preseason poll of BIG EAST coaches.
   Villanova earned 8-of-9 possible first place votes and finished ahead of Marquette and Providence. St. John's and Butler rank fourth and fifth, while the bottom half consists of Xavier, Georgetown, Seton Hall, Creighton and DePaul.
   Creighton is one of two schools (Providence) to match or exceed its preseason prognostication every year since the reconfiguration of the BIG EAST.
   St. John's junior guard Shamorie Ponds was tabbed Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year, and Providence's David Duke and Villanova's Jahvon Quinerly shared Preseason Freshman of the Year laurels.
   Creighton's Martin Krampelj was a Preseason Honorable Mention All-BIG EAST pick.

#ProJays
For the first time ever, Creighton has five NBA players at the same time as Kyle Korver (Utah Jazz), Anthony Tolliver (Minnesota Timberwolves), Doug McDermott (Indiana Pacers, Justin Patton (Philadelphia 76ers) and Khyri Thomas (Detroit Pistons) are all in the league.
   Including 2018-18, Creighton has now had an NBA player in 35 of the last 36 years.
   Korver leads all active players and ranks fourth in NBA history with 2,253 three-pointers. He's also second among active players and sixth all-time in league history with 43.1 percent marksmanship from three-point range. 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 four times. He is shooting 43.0 percent from downtown this season.
   Tolliver is averaging 4.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game on 40.0 percent shooting from deep this season for the Timberwolves.
   McDermott is in his fifth season in the NBA, and first with the Indiana Pacers. He's averaging 7.3 points per game on 41.9 percent three-point shooting this year.
   Patton was traded on Nov. 10 from Minnesota to Philadelphia, but currently rehabbing an injured foot. Patton redshirted in 2015-16 before turning pro and being the 16th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He spent most of last year in the G-League, but did score two points in his lone NBA appearance last April.
   Creighton's newest NBA product is Khyri Thomas, who was the 38th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers before being traded minutes later to the Detroit Pistons. Thomas was a two-time BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year. He scored three points in his NBA debut on Nov. 9th and after five games is averaging 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.

Among The Nation's Best
Below is where Creighton ranks nationally in the since Greg McDermott took over in 2010-11, per Basketball-Reference.com.
2010-11 to Dec 16, 2018
Category   Stat   NCAA Rank
3FG Percentage   .388   3rd
FG Percentage   .483   3rd
3FG Made   2,539   4th
Assists   4,736   5th
FG Made   7,921   13th
Wins   194   32nd
Winning Percentage   .667   37th

Full House
Creighton averaged 17,000 fans per home game last season, good for fifth-best nationally. This year Creighton is averaging an even loftier 17,077 fans per game at home, also good for fifth place.
   Last year was the 13th straight season that CU has been among the nation's top 25 in average home attendance, and the seventh straight season in the top-10 nationally in attendance, as well.
2018-19 Attendance Leaders (through 12/17)
   Rk.   School   Average   Next Home
   1.   North Carolina   20,569   12/29
   2.   Kentucky   20,224   1/8
   3.   Syracuse   20,163   12/18
   4.   Wisconsin   17,096   12/22
   5.   Creighton   17,077   12/20
   6.   Kansas   16,118   12/18
   7.   Tennessee   15,801   12/19
   8.   Nebraska   15,626   12/22
   9.   Arkansas   15,042   12/19
   10.   Michigan State   14,797   12/21

Some Loyal Fans
Creighton played in front of 306,000 home fans last season, surpassing the 200,000 mark for the 13th straight season.
   Creighton had never attracted more than 141,000 home fans in any season prior to the opening of CHI Health Center Omaha, and now has done it in the past 15 seasons.
   Creighton has led its conference in home attendance every year since moving into CHI Health Center Omaha, which is in its 16th season.
Highest Average Attendance, Creighton History
   Avg. Att.   School   Year
   17,896   Creighton   2013-14
   17,413   Creighton   2016-17
   17,155   Creighton   2012-13
   17,077 so far   Creighton   2018-19
   17,048   Creighton   2014-15
   17,000   Creighton   2017-18
   16,665   Creighton   2011-12

Creighton's Most Home Fans, Season
Rk.   Year   G   Attendance   Average
1.   2017-18   18   306,000   17,000
2.   2015-16   19   302,887   15,941
3.   2008-09   19   302,676   15,930
4.   2010-11   22   297,161   13,507
5.   2016-17   17   296,013   17,413

Release, Rotation, Splash, Repeat
Creighton has made at least one three-pointer in 826 straight games since a 59-53 loss at Illinois State on Feb. 20, 1993. The streak is the nation's 17th-longest active streak.
   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 (through 12/16)
   Rk.   Streak   School   Next Game
   1.   1,048   UNLV   12/22
   2.   1,039   Vanderbilt   12/17
   3.   1,030   Duke   12/18
   4.   984   Arkansas   12/19
   5.   983   Western Kentucky   12/19
   6.   972   East Tennessee State   12/21
   7.   962   Pacific   12/22
   8.   948   Oakland   12/18
   9.   938   Texas   12/21
   10.   913   Princeton   12/18
   11.   890   Marshall   12/22
   12.   877   Baylor   12/18
   13.   860   Gonzaga   12/18
   14.   855   LIU-Brooklyn   12/21
   15.   838   Cornell   12/17
   16.   835   Mount St. Mary's   12/18
   17.   826   Creighton   12/18
   18.   824   Tennessee State   12/18
   19.   821   East Carolina   12/18

McDermott Ranks Second On CU Wins List
Greg McDermott currently has 194 victories at Creighton, good for second place on CU's all-time wins list.
   McDermott's .667 winning percentage is Creighton's best since Arthur A. Schabinger's .714 win rate more 80 years ago.
   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.   194-97   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

Scoring In Bunches
Creighton scored 2,756 points and ranked 12th nationally with 83.5 points per contest last season.
   The 2,756 points rank tied for fourth-most in program history for one season, and were 128 behind the 2,864 points that the 2016-17 team scored to establish the record.
   This year's team has averaged 83.60 points per game to date.
   Greg McDermott is 57-3 as a Division I head coach when his teams score 90 or more points, including a 51-3 mark on the Creighton sideline.
   Creighton is 62-2 all-time when scoring 100 points or more, including 35 straight wins since a 1977 loss to North Texas State.

CHI Health Center Omaha Dramatics
Creighton is 7-8 in games with a game-winning go-ahead score in the final 10 seconds at CHI Health Center Omaha, which opened in the fall of 2003.
Creighton's Go-Ahead Scores in Wins at
CHI Health Center Omaha, 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
CHI Health Center Omaha, 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
02/10/18   #5 Xavier   L 71-72   Q. Goodin FT's   :0.3

Top-20 Crowds
Here's a look at Creighton's top-20 home crowds all-time, which features five games from last year. This season's Gonzaga game ranks fifth on that list, and was the best-attended non-conference home game in program 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.   18,759   #1 Gonzaga   12/01/18
   6.   18,742   Seton Hall   02/23/14
   7.   18,735   Wichita State   02/11/12
   8.   18,613   Wichita State   03/02/13
   9.   18,525   Marquette   12/31/13
   10.   18,518   Georgetown   01/27/18
   11.   18,495   Marquette   02/17/18
   12.   18,494   Illinois State   02/09/13
   13.   18,458   Evansville   12/29/12
   14.   18,436   Bradley   01/28/12
   15.   18,323   DePaul   02/07/14
   16.   18,321   #3 Villanova   02/24/18
   17.   18,257   #5 Xavier   02/10/18
   18.   18,191   DePaul   02/27/18
   19.   18,160   Central Arkansas   11/14/14
   20.   18,145   Marquette   01/21/17

Home Run
Since Greg McDermott took over in 2010, Creighton is averaging 80.76 points per home game (11,952 points in 148 home games), a figure that climbs to 85.01 points in non-conference home games (6,461 points in 76 home games).
   Creighton is 99-4 all-time at CHI Health Center Omaha when scoring 80 or points and had won 90 straight non-conference home games since Dec. 7, 1991 when scoring 80+ points before falling 103-92 to Gonzaga on Dec. 1.

Going For 20, Again
Creighton has won 20 or more games in 18 of the last 20 seasons (entering 2018-19), a feat that puts the Jays among an exclusive group, nationally.
   Just three schools nationally have had 20 or more wins each of the last 20 years: Duke, Gonzaga and Kansas.    Kentucky and Florida have done it in 19 of the last 20 seasons.
   Creighton, Xavier, Syracuse and Arizona each are in the 18-of-20 seasons club.

Eight Out Of 20 Tourney Titles
Creighton owns eight league tournament titles in the last 20 years. On a national basis, the only schools that can claim this are Gonzaga (16), Duke (11), Winthrop (10), Kentucky (10), Kansas (9), New Mexico State (9) and Creighton (8).

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
2018-19   3rd
2017-18:   2nd
2016-17:   3rd
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

Clear Bag Policy Now In Place
CHI Health Center Omaha has adopted new clear bag regulations for all arena events, including Creighton University men's home basketball games. Bags permitted under the policy include clear plastic, vinyl or PVC totes.
   Additionally, small clutch-sized bags will also be allowed inside the arena after a proper security inspection. However, oversized bags or purses will no longer be allowed inside the premises.
   After observing the success and ease of transition with arenas and venues across the state, MECA and Creighton University believe the updated policy to be the best safety practice for the thousands of fans who loyally attend each basketball game, and countless concert-goers who walk through the doors at CHI Health Center Omaha.
   Here are the main bullet-points of the new bag policy.
•   Clear plastic bags, measuring 12 inches tall, 12 inches long, and 6 inches wide.
•   Small or clutch-sized purses or wallets, not exceeding 4.5 inches tall by 6.5 inches long.
•   One-gallon, clear plastic freezer bags are permitted (Ziploc bag or similar).
•   No large purses, bags, backpacks or fanny-packs will be allowed inside.
•   MECA staff members are not allowed to hold bags during an event.
•   Exceptions will be made for bags with medical necessity after appropriate inspection.

Ticket Information
Single-game tickets for the 2018-19 season went on sale on October 16th.
   Fans can purchase single-game tickets at CHI Health Center Omaha Box Office, Ryan Athletic Center, by calling Ticketmaster or visiting Ticketmaster.com, and charging by phone at (800) 745-3000. Only upper bowl seats will be available for any regular-season game.
   For more information, call the Creighton Ticket Office at (402) 280-JAYS.

Men's Basketball Visits One-Loss Oklahoma on Tuesday Night

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Players Mentioned

Ty-Shon Alexander

Mitch Ballock

Jacob Epperson

Marcus Foster

Damien Jefferson

Martin Krampelj

Khyri Thomas

Marcus Zegarowski