
Ty-Shon Alexander has upped his scoring average by 11.9 points from last season, most in the BIG EAST.
Photo by: A.J. Olnes
Super Sunday Match-Up Has Men's Basketball Hosting Xavier
2/1/2019 10:29:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Creighton and Xavier renew one of league's closest rivalries
Download Notes as a PDF
Game #22 • Xavier Musketeers at Creighton Bluejays
Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 • 12:00 p.m.
CHI Health Center Omaha (17,352) • Omaha, Neb.
Radio: KOZN 1620 AM, www.1620thezone.com; KOOO 101.9 FM
Television: FSN (Wayne Randazzo, Dickey Simpkins)
Series History: Xavier leads, 15-12
Last Meeting: Xavier 72, Creighton 71 on Feb. 10, 2018 in Omaha, Neb.
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS | TICKETS
Next Game
Creighton (12-9, 3-5 BIG EAST) closes a three-game homestand when it meets Xavier (11-11, 3-6 BIG EAST) on Sunday, Feb. 3.
   Tip-off on First National Bank Court at CHI Health Center Omaha (17,352) in Omaha, Neb., is set for 12:00 p.m.
   CHI Health is teaming with the Salvation Army for the Layers of Love effort to help the homeless. Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently-used cold weather items such as socks, gloves, hats, scarves, coats and sweaters to either the Hall B entrance of the convention center or the club/suite entrances off Lot A on the southeast side of the building. For more info, visit
 CHIHealth.com/LayersofLove.
Television Broadcast Information
Sunday's game will be televised live on Fox Sports Midwest, Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Sports Detroit, Fox Sports North, Fox Sports Ohio, Fox Sports South (AL, MS, TN), Fox Sports Southwest (AR Plus & Non Grizzlies), Fox Sports Sun, Fox Sports West, Fox Sports Wisconsin, AT&T SportsNet (Rocky Mountain Region), MASN2 and YurView New England. Complete clearances can be found HERE.
   The announcers for the game will be Wayne Randazzo and Dickey Simpkins.
   The game will also be tape delayed or repeated and air on the following broadcast outlets:
Root Sports (Northwest Region)   Sunday   2 pm PST
YES   Sunday   4 pm EST
Fox Sports San Diego   Sunday   4 pm PST
Fox Sports Ohio   Monday   12 am EST
Fox Sports Sun   Monday   12 am EST
Fox Sports North   Monday   12 am CST
Fox Sports Wisconsin   Monday   12 am CST
Fox Sports Arizona   Monday   2 am MST
Fox College Sports Atlantic   Monday   4 am EST
Fox Sports North   Monday   6 am CST
Fox Sports Wisconsin   Monday   6 am CST
Fox College Sports Pacific   Monday   8 am EST
Fox Sports Midwest   Monday   9 am CST
Fox College Sports Central   Monday   10 am EST
AT&T Sports Net (Pittsburgh)   Monday   6 pm EST
Fox College Sports Atlantic   Tuesday   12 am EST
Fox College Sports Pacific   Tuesday   8 am EST
Fox College Sports Central   Wednesday   2 am EST
Fox College Sports Atlantic   Wednesday   12 pm EST
Fox College Sports Pacific   Thursday   2 am EST
Fox College Sports Central   Thursday   10 am EST
Fox College Sports Pacific   Saturday   12 pm EST
Fox College Sports Central   Saturday   5 pm EST
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. Â
   The audio is also webcast live at www.1620thezone.com.
Video Webcast Information
Live streaming video of Sunday's game will be available via FOXSportsGo.com for desktop users, and via the FOX Sports Go app for mobile devices (iOS, Android, Kindle Fire tablets and Fire phones and select Window devices). A cable authorization may be required.
   The FOX Sports GO mobile app can be downloaded for free from the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Amazon App Store or the Windows Store, and the games are now available internationally.
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 12-9 overall and 3-5 in BIG EAST play while navigating the nation's sixth-toughest schedule, having already played 13 games against teams that won 21 games or more a year ago. The Bluejays own impressive wins away from home at Providence and Georgetown, as well as a neutral floor triumph over No. 16 Clemson thus far.
   Creighton ranks third in three-pointers made per game (11.6), fourth nationally in three-point percentage (.417), fourth in total three-pointers (247) and sixth in field goal percentage (.501).
   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.
   Creighton owns six men averaging 9.4 points per game or more, including sophomores Ty-Shon Alexander (17.4 ppg.) and Mitch Ballock (10.9 ppg.). The duo have combined for 130 three-pointers this winter.
   Coming on strong of late is junior forward Martin Krampelj (11.4 ppg., 6.2 rpg.). He's averaged 15.1 points and 7.9 rebounds in CU's last 11 games with 33 dunks in that time.
Scouting Xavier
Xavier owns an 11-11 overall record and a 3-6 mark in the BIG EAST, after enduring four consecutive losses.
   The defending BIG EAST champions have five men averaging in double-figures, a group led by sophomores Paul Scruggs (13.4 ppg., 4.9 rpg.) and Naji Marshall (13.3 ppg., 7.0 rpg.).
   Juniors Quentin Goodin (12.1 ppg., 4.8 apg.) and Tyrique Jones (11.0 ppg., 7.4 rpg.) are also supplemented by grad transfer Zach Hankins (10.2 ppg., 4.9 rpg., .708 FG%).
   The Musketeers average 73.6 points per game and shoot 46.9 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three-point range and 69.9 percent at the line. XU wins the rebound battle by +3.9 caroms per contest.
The Series With Xavier
Xavier owns a 15-12 lead in the series with Creighton, and are 5-4 in Omaha. Nineteen of the 27 all-time meetings have been within five points in the final minute, including five of the last six.
    Greg McDermott is 6-6 against Xavier, but has never faced Travis Steele.
The Creighton Coaches
Greg McDermott (Northern Iowa, 1988) is in his ninth season as head coach at Creighton, where he is 199-103 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 479-298 in his 25th season and is 348-234 in his 18th Division I campaign. McDermott is assisted by Preston Murphy, Alan Huss and Paul Lusk.
With A Win, Creighton Can...
- Improve 200-103 under Greg McDermott at Creighton.
- Close the first half of BIG EAST play with a 4-5 mark.
- Win for the 13th time in 28 all-time meetings against Xavier, and for the first time in the regular-season since a Jan. 16, 2017 win in Cincinnati.
- Improve to 4-1 all-time on Super Bowl Sunday.
Super Sunday
After not playing opposite any of the first 35 (XXXV) Super Bowl's, Creighton will play on the same day as pro football's title game for the fifth time since 2002.
   CU fell to Southern Illinois (79-77) in 2002 on Super Bowl Sunday when the St. Louis Rams and New England Patriots met.
   The Bluejays rallied to beat TCU (89-79) in 2003 when the Tampa Bay crushed Oakland, topped Evansville (74-70) in 2004 when New England defeated Carolina. In CU's most recent game on Super Bowl Sunday, Creighton outlasted Missouri State (75-51) on the same day that Pittsburgh defeated Arizona.
Creighton on Super Bowl Sunday, All-Time
   Super
Date   Bowl #   CU Result   SB Champ
02/03/02Â Â Â XXXVIÂ Â Â SIU 79, CU 77Â Â Â Patriots
01/26/03Â Â Â XXXVIIÂ Â Â CU 89, TCU 79Â Â Â Buccaneers
02/01/04Â Â Â XXXVIIIÂ Â Â CU 74, UE 70Â Â Â Patriots
02/01/09Â Â Â XLIIIÂ Â Â CU 75, MSU 51Â Â Â Steelers
More Super Bowl Stats
Creighton is 34-18 all-time in its final game prior to a Super Bowl, but on a two-game losing streak.
   By comparison, Creighton is 32-20 in its first game after the Super Bowl, including five straight wins, which could be good news with a challenging road test at Villanova on deck.
   The AFC and NFC have alternated wins in the last seven Super Bowls following a Creighton victory preceding the game, which could be a good omen for the Rams since the Broncos won Super Bowl L in 2016 following a CU triumph.
   In Super Bowls following a Creighton loss, the NFC is 11-5 all-time, though the AFC has won four of the past seven such games.
Mitch's Big Day
Mitch Ballock committed to Creighton on Super Bowl Sunday in 2016, a day that saw the Denver Broncos defeat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl L.
Creighton & Xavier To The Wire
Since both teams joined the BIG EAST six years ago, 10 of the 12 meetings between Creighton and Xavier have been decided by eight points or less. Three of those five Omaha meetings have been decided by two or less points.
   Since the league reconfigured prior to the start of the 2013-14 season, only one other league rivalry has had 10 meetings decided by eight points or less, Butler/Seton Hall (10 times in 13 meetings). Close behind is Butler/Georgetown, which has had nine such games (in 11 meetings).
   Creighton is 3-1 this season in games decided by eight points or less.
CHI Health Center Omaha Dramatics vs. Xavier
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.
   Two of Xavier's last four trips (2015 and 2018) to Omaha have been one point Musketeer wins thanks to free throws in the final 6.3 seconds.
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
03/20/06Â Â Â Miami (Fla.)Â Â Â L 53-52Â Â Â G. Diaz FTÂ Â Â :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
Traditional Powers Looking Up To .500 Mark
Sunday's match-up features a Creighton team that is 3-5 in league play, while Xavier is 3-6. However, the two teams have traditionally excelled in their respective conferences.
   Xavier entered the 2018-19 season with a streak of 36 straight seasons in which it has finished .500 or better in league play. That's the nation's longest active streak, five seasons more than Murray State's 31. The rest of the top-five consists of Kansas (29), Kentucky (29) and Gonzaga (27).
   Creighton has gone .500 or better in league play 22 of the past 23 seasons.
Just Call Him Trey-Shon
Ty-Shon Alexander has made a three-point basket in all 21 games he's played this season, stretching his streak dating to last year to 25 games in a row.
   Alexander's owns the longest active streak in the BIG EAST, and he and Villanova's Phil Booth are the only men with a trey in each game this winter.
   Alexander's streak is tied for the fourth-longest in Creighton history, and just six behind the school record set by Booker Woodfox in 2008-09.
   Each of the three streaks longer than his came in a season that the player was named Conference Player of the Year (Korver in 2002 and 2003, Woodfox in 2009).
   It's worth noting that Kyle Korver's second-place streak of 28 games with a trey was snapped when he did not attempt a field goal in 24 minutes of play during an 83-56 win over UNI (and head coach Greg McDermott) on Feb. 9, 2002. Korver then drained a triple in 27 more games in a row, a stretch from Feb. 13, 2002 to Jan. 20, 2003 before it was snapped against Evansville (and head coach Steve Merfeld).
Consecutive Games With a 3FG, CU History
   Streak   Name   Dates
   31   Booker Woodfox   11/25/08 to 3/23/09
   28   Kyle Korver   2/4/01 to 2/6/02
   27   Kyle Korver   2/13/02 to 1/20/03
   25   Rodney Buford   1/25/97 to 1/10/98
   25   Ty-Shon Alexander   2/27/18 to Present
   23   Ethan Wragge   11/8/13 to 2/9/14
   22   Khyri Thomas   1/28/17 to 12/5/17
   21   Ethan Wragge   1/3/10 to 3/24/10
   20   Johnny Mathies   12/22/04 to 2/28/05
   20   Marcus Foster   12/31/17 to 3/16/18
Alexander Named Player of the Week
Sophomore Ty-Shon Alexander was named BIG EAST Player of the Week on Monday, Jan. 28 after averaging 22.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists during two wins last week.
   A sophomore from Charlotte, N.C., Alexander helped Creighton climb from last place to third place while making 50 percent of his shots from the field (13-26) and 50 percent from three-point range (8-16) as well as 68.8 percent at the line (11-16).
    Alexander opened his week with 26 points, seven rebounds and four assists without a turnover in a 91-87 win at Georgetown, which helped CU snap a four-game losing streak. Alexander put Creighton ahead for good on a three-pointer with 55 seconds left, his sixth trifecta of the night.
    Alexander also led Creighton with 19 points, adding four rebounds, two steals and an assist in a 75-61 victory over Butler. He scored six points during CU's game-ending 11-2 run after the Bulldogs closed to within five points with just under three minutes to go.
    After averaging 5.5 points a year ago, Alexander now ranks seventh in the league with 17.4 points per contest. He's made a three-pointer in 25 straight games, the longest active streak in the BIG EAST, and tied for fourth-longest in CU history.
McDermott Seeks 200th Creighton Win
Greg McDermott enters Sunday's game with 199 victories on the Creighton sideline. That trails only his predecessor, Dana Altman (327) in program history.
   Of the 54 coaches hired in the offseason prior to the 2010-11 season, only Altman (222 at Oregon), McDermott (199 at Creighton) and Tim Cluess (189 at Iona) have more than 180 victories at that school.
   Here's a look at McDermott's record at the time of various milestones.
Win #   Games at CU   Date   Opponent
25Â Â Â 41Â Â Â 11/13/11Â Â Â Chicago State
50Â Â Â 71Â Â Â 03/03/12Â Â Â vs. Evansville
75Â Â Â 104Â Â Â 02/27/13Â Â Â at Bradley
100Â Â Â 134Â Â Â 02/13/14Â Â Â at Butler
125Â Â Â 183Â Â Â 11/25/15Â Â Â vs. Massachusetts
150Â Â Â 222Â Â Â 12/07/17Â Â Â at Nebraska
175Â Â Â 259Â Â Â 12/18/17Â Â Â UT-Arlington
The Chase For .500
Currently 3-5 in the BIG EAST, Creighton will own a winning percentage under .500 at the midway point in league play for just the second time in the past 22 seasons.
   Entering this season Creighton has gone 5-4 or better in the second half of league action in 18 of the last 23 seasons, but not since 2013-14.
   Entering this season Creighton has made the postseason each of the previous 20 times 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
2018-19   3-5 so far   0-0
2017-18Â Â Â 6-3Â Â Â 4-5
2016-17Â Â Â 6-3Â Â Â 4-5
2015-16Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 4-5
2014-15Â Â Â 1-8Â Â Â 3-6
2013-14Â Â Â 8-1Â Â Â 6-3
2012-13Â Â Â 7-2Â Â Â 6-3
2011-12Â Â Â 8-1Â Â Â 6-3
2010-11Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 5-4
2009-10Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 5-4
2008-09Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 9-0
2007-08Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 5-4
2006-07Â Â Â 6-3Â Â Â 7-2
2005-06Â Â Â 7-2Â Â Â 5-4
2004-05Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 6-3
2003-04Â Â Â 7-2Â Â Â 5-4
2002-03Â Â Â 8-1Â Â Â 7-2
2001-02Â Â Â 8-1Â Â Â 6-3
2000-01Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 9-0
1999-00Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 6-3
1998-99Â Â Â 6-3Â Â Â 5-4
1997-98Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 7-2
1996-97Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 5-4
1995-96Â Â Â 4-5Â Â Â 5-4
Total   135-80 (.628)   130-77 (.628)
Jays At Home Against Teams At/Under .500
Creighton has won 109 straight home games against teams that enter the night with a record of .500 or worse, a streak that dates to Feb. 25, 2002.
   Xavier owns an 11-11 record this winter.
McDermott's 50th BIG EAST Win
Last Friday's victory over Butler was Greg McDermott's 50th regular-season BIG EAST win.
   He's the 24th coach in league history to reach that mark, and fourth active league coach (Jay Wright has 199, Ed Cooley has 67 and Kevin Willard has 66).
   Of the 24 men with 50 or more regular-season BIG EAST wins, McDermott's .510 win percentage in league play ranks 16th-best, trailing only Jim Boeheim, Jim Calhoun, John Thompson Sr., Jay Wright, Mike Brey, John Thompson Jr., Lou Carnesecca, Jamie Dixon, Rick Pitino, Rollie Massimino, Steve Lappas, Paul Evans, Buzz Williams, Chris Mack and Mike Jarvis.
   If he can pick up his 51st win on Sunday vs. Xavier, McDermott can move into 23rd place on the wins list by jumping ahead of former St. John's coach Mike Jarvis (50-32).
Sunday Success at CHI Health Center Omaha
Creighton is 33-2 all-time at CHI Health Center Omaha in games played on a Sunday, and has won 38 of its last 40 Sunday home games since Feb. 4, 2002.
   Creighton's streak of 32 straight Sunday home wins was snapped last month on January 13th by Villanova.
200,00 Fans, Again
With 205,785 fans to date, Creighton has eclipsed 200,000 or more home fans for the 14th straight season.
   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.
   Creighton played in front of 306,000 home fans last season, a program record.
Quest For 21,000
Creighton has scored 20,969 points all-time at CHI Health Center Omaha, passing the 20,000 mark on earlier this season on Nov. 6th vs. Western Illinois.
   Creighton is 19-1 all-time in games where it moves over any 1,000 point milestone at CHI Health Center Omaha, as seen below:
   Creighton has currently outscored the opposition 20,969 to 17,598 at the 16-year old facility in 269 all-time games in the building that count.
Date   Pts-Opp (CLCO Game #)   Who/How vs. Opp.
02/18/04Â Â Â 1,000-787 (14)Â Â Â Lindeman FG vs. Indiana State
02/05/05Â Â Â 2,000-1,696 (28)Â Â Â Funk FG vs. Missouri St.
01/18/06Â Â Â 3,000-2,504 (41)Â Â Â Watts FT vs. Bradley
01/09/07Â Â Â 4,000-3,359 (56)Â Â Â Tolliver FG vs. Drake
12/17/07Â Â Â 5,000-4,174 (69)Â Â Â Ka. Korver 3FG vs. Hou. Baptist
11/16/08Â Â Â 6,000-5,048 (82)Â Â Â Dotzler FG vs. New Mexico
02/11/09Â Â Â 7,000-5,870 (95)Â Â Â Witter 3FG vs. Bradley
01/16/10Â Â Â 8,000-6,750 (109)Â Â Â Young FG vs. Wichita State
12/20/10Â Â Â 9,000-7,645 (123)Â Â Â Wragge FG vs. W. Illinois
03/23/11Â Â Â 10,000-8,500 (136)Â Â Â Lawson FG vs. UCF
01/21/12Â Â Â 11,000-9,310 (148)Â Â Â McDermott FG vs. Ind. St.
12/19/12Â Â Â 12,000-10,136 (161)Â Â Â Echenique FG vs. Tulsa
11/23/13Â Â Â 13,000-10,922 (173)Â Â Â Artino FG vs. Tulsa
02/23/14Â Â Â 14,000-11,711 (185)Â Â Â Gibbs FG vs. Seton Hall
01/28/15Â Â Â 15,000-12,612 (198)Â Â Â Hanson FT vs. St. John's
12/28/15Â Â Â 16,000-13,498 (211)Â Â Â Huff FG vs. Coppin State
11/15/16Â Â Â 17,000-14,349 (224)Â Â Â Patton FG vs. #9 Wisconsin
01/28/17Â Â Â 18,000-15,166 (235)Â Â Â Hanson FG vs. DePaul
12/18/17Â Â Â 19,000-15,927 (246)Â Â Â Foster 3FG vs. UT Arlington
11/06/18Â Â Â 20,000-16,741 (258)Â Â Â Ballock 3FG vs. W. Illinois
A Scurry Scholly, Again
For the second straight year, Creighton surprised walk-on Jordan Scurry with a scholarship in late January.
   Last year, the Jays did it in a team meeting on the same day the die-hard New England Patriots fans saw his beloved team qualify for the Super Bowl.
   This season, Scurry was surprised on January 21 on the bus ride following Creighton's 91-87 win at Georgetown, one day after the Patriots qualified once again for the Super Bowl.
What's Your 20?
Last Friday's win over Butler was Creighton's 20th contest of the season. With 12 wins this year, Creighton has now been .500 or better after 20 games in 23 of the last 24 seasons (including 2018-19).
   Even more impressive, Creighton has won at least 13 of its first 20 games in 19 of the last 22 seasons, though it didn't reach that mark in 2018-19.
Creighton -- First 20 Games, Last 23 Years
Year   First 20 W-L   Final W-L   Postseason
2018-19   12-8   ? ? ?   ? ? ?
2017-18Â Â Â 15-5Â Â Â 21-12Â Â Â NCAA
2016-17Â Â Â 18-2Â Â Â 25-10Â Â Â NCAA
2015-16Â Â Â 14-6Â Â Â 20-15Â Â Â NIT
2014-15Â Â Â 9-11Â Â Â 14-19Â Â Â --
2013-14Â Â Â 17-3Â Â Â 27-8Â Â Â NCAA
2012-13Â Â Â 17-3Â Â Â 28-8Â Â Â NCAA
2011-12Â Â Â 18-2Â Â Â 29-6Â Â Â NCAA
2010-11Â Â Â 13-7Â Â Â 23-16Â Â Â CBI
2009-10Â Â Â 10-10Â Â Â 18-16Â Â Â CIT
2008-09Â Â Â 15-5Â Â Â 27-8Â Â Â NIT
2007-08Â Â Â 14-6Â Â Â 22-11Â Â Â NIT
2006-07Â Â Â 13-7Â Â Â 22-11Â Â Â NCAA
2005-06Â Â Â 15-5 Â Â Â 20-10Â Â Â NIT
2004-05Â Â Â 13-7Â Â Â 23-11Â Â Â NCAA
2003-04Â Â Â 17-3Â Â Â 20-9Â Â Â NIT
2002-03Â Â Â 18-2Â Â Â 29-5Â Â Â NCAA
2001-02Â Â Â 14-6Â Â Â 23-9Â Â Â NCAA
2000-01Â Â Â 14-6Â Â Â 24-8Â Â Â NCAA
1999-00Â Â Â 14-6Â Â Â 23-10Â Â Â NCAA
1998-99Â Â Â 14-6Â Â Â 22-9Â Â Â NCAA
1997-98Â Â Â 14-6Â Â Â 18-10Â Â Â NIT
McDermott Wins 300th Game Coached at CU
Greg McDermott coached in his 300th game as Creighton head coach in a Jan. 21 win at Georgetown.
   He now owns a 199-103 record on the Bluejay sideline entering Sunday.
   Only one previous person in program history has served as head men's basketball coach for 300 games, with that being McDermott's predecessor Dana Altman.
   Altman finished his CU career in 2010 with a 327-176 record, and owned a 194-106 mark after 300 games with the Bluejays.
   Here's a look at Altman and McDermott per each 50 games at Creighton:
Game # at CUÂ Â Â Altman W-LÂ Â Â McDermott W-L
50Â Â Â 20-30Â Â Â 33-17
100Â Â Â 45-55Â Â Â 72-28
150Â Â Â 82-68Â Â Â 112-38
200Â Â Â 116-84Â Â Â 135-65
250Â Â Â 155-95Â Â Â 168-82
300Â Â Â 194-106Â Â Â 198-102
350Â Â Â 226-124Â Â Â --
400Â Â Â 260-140Â Â Â --
450Â Â Â 294-156Â Â Â --
500Â Â Â 325-175Â Â Â --
The Full Arsenal
Creighton has five men averaging double-figures in scoring, with one other a fraction of a point away from joining them.
   Entering Sunday, Ty-Shon Alexander (17.4), Martin Krampelj (11.4), Mitch Ballock (10.9), Marcus Zegarowski (10.8) and Davion Mintz (10.0) are contributing at a double-digit clip, with Damien Jefferson (9.4) not far behind.
   In league play, Alexander (17.8), Krampelj (14.8), Ballock (11.9), Mintz (11.9) and Zegarowski (11.5) are all well into double-figures.
   Creighton has not had five or more men finish a season averaging 10 or more points per game since the 1964-65 club had SIX men average in double-figures (Neil Johnson, 17.3; Elton McGriff, 15.0; Fritz Pointer, 14.3; Tim Powers, 12.6; Bob Miles, 11.9; Charlie Brown (11.6), though Johnson only played in 8-of-23 games.
My Favorite Martin
Martin Krampelj has scored in double-figures in 10 of the last 11 games, with nine points in the one contest he was limited to single digits.
   In the past 11 games, Krampelj has averaged 15.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He's shot 66.0 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from three-point territory, and 62.5 percent from the line.
   His recent stat line represents a vast improvement from the first 10 contests when he was still regaining his form.
When   FG%   3FG%   FT%   RPG   PPG   DUNKS
2017-18 Season   .671   .261   .623   8.1   11.9   33
First 10 Games   .474   .182   .563   4.4   7.4   11
Last 11 Games   .660   .400   .625   7.9   15.1   33
The 40/40 Club
Creighton is a member of a relatively exclusive 40/40 club this season, having made at made at least 40 percent of its three-point attempts (.417), and having taken 40 percent or more of its field goal attempts (.477) from beyond the arc.
   Here's a list of the nation's two other teams that join Creighton in that category.
Team   W-L   3FG%   %FGA's are 3's
Creighton   12-9   .417   .477
Virginia Tech   17-3   .426   .444
Dartmouth   10-8   .406   .452
Most Improved?
Ty-Shon Alexander had 23 points vs. Marquette on Jan. 9, then added 22 more vs. Villanova four days later. Â
   It's the fourth and fifth times this season that the sophomore guard has scored 20 or more points in a game, and first time in his career he's done so in consecutive contests.
   The Charlotte native has upped his scoring average to 17.4 points per game, an improvement of 11.9 points over his 5.5 points per game from a year ago. That's easily the largest improvement of any of the BIG EAST's top 30 scorers this season, as seen below:
Rk.   Name, School   18-19PPG   17-18PPG   +/-
1.   Ty-Shon Alexander, CU   17.4   5.5   +11.9
2.   Phil Booth, VU   18.7   10.0   +8.7
3.   Paul Scruggs, XU   13.4   4.9   +8.5
4.   Paul Reed, DPU   11.4   3.6   +7.8
5.   Collin Gillespie, VU   11.2   4.3   +6.9
Zegarowski Does It All
Marcus Zegarowski's first career start came on Jan. 13 against Villanova, and the true freshman produced 10 points to go with career-highs of seven rebounds and seven assists.
   He's just the fifth player in the last five seasons with a game of 10-7-7 against Villanova, joining Khadeen Carrington, Justin Simon, Kamar Baldwin and Kris Dunn.
   Zegarowski is the fifth Bluejay to have a game with at least 10-7-7 under Greg McDermott, and first freshman.
Name   Date   Opp.   PTS   REB   AST
Grant Gibbs   1/13/12   at Illinois St.   12   10   7
Austin Chatman   11/11/13   UMKC   12   7   9
Maurice Watson Jr.   1/26/16   at Georgetown   16   7   8
Khyri Thomas   2/28/17   St. John's   14   12   7
Khyri Thomas   2/27/18   DePaul   16   8   8
Marcus Zegarowski   1/13/19   Villanova   10   7   7
Records Fell
Here's a list of some of the various records that were broken on January 13 vs. Marquette:
- Among the single-game arena records set or tied by Marquette's Markus Howard were points (53), three-pointers (10), field goal attempts (26) and turnovers (9).
- Marquette's 16 three-pointers tied a CHI Health Center Omaha record for three-pointers by a non-Creighton team.
- Markus Howard's 53 points were a Marquette record, a BIG EAST record and a record for a Bluejay opponent in one game. The legendary Bevo Francis held the previous mark for a CU opponent, scoring 49 points for Rio Grande on Jan. 23, 1954.
The "Three"-Placements
Coming into the season, many were left wondering how Creighton was going to replace three of its top four three-point shooters from a season ago (Marcus Foster, Khyri Thomas, Toby Hegner), among others, as the Bluejays were left trying to replace 229 of its 343 three-pointers from last year.
   The answer has been quite well, thank you.
   Creighton's newcomers this season have combined to shoot 64-for-143 (44.8 percent) from three-point range this season, as Connor Cashaw, Marcus Zegarowski and Damien Jefferson are all making 44.8 percent or better from long-range, and Samson Froling is 4-for-13 in limited attempts.
Always Impressing
Since the reconfiguration of the BIG EAST in 2013, Creighton and Providence are the only teams to meet or exceed their poll prediction each season.
   Providence was picked to finish third this season, with Creighton slotted ninth.
   Under eight previous seasons under Greg McDermott, Creighton has exceeded its preseason poll placement on three occasions, matched its expectation four times, and in 2011-12 were picked first in the MVC but finished second.
Preseason Polls Under Greg McDermott
Year   League   Preseason Poll   Finish
2010-11   MVC   4th   T-4th
2011-12   MVC   1st   2nd
2012-13   MVC   1st   1st
2013-14   BIG EAST   3rd   2nd
2014-15   BIG EAST   9th   T-9th
2015-16   BIG EAST   9th   6th
2016-17   BIG EAST   3rd   T-3rd
2017-18   BIG EAST   5th   T-3rd
2018-19   BIG EAST   9th   TBD
60 Percent Club
Since Greg McDermott's hiring in 2010, the Bluejays have shot 60 percent or better from the field on 23 occasions, tied with Gonzaga for the most in the nation according to data listed at Basketball-Reference.com.
Most Games Shooting 60% Since 2010-11
   Rk.   60% Games   School
   1.   23   Creighton
      23   Gonzaga
   3.   21   Kansas
   4.   20   Michigan State
      20   Indiana
The Race To 75
Creighton has scored 75 or more points in each of its 12 victories this season, and in 17 straight wins dating to last winter.
   Creighton is 4-2 all-time against Xavier when scoring 75+ points, but 8-13 when it does not.
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.
   Here's a look at Creighton's most three-pointers per game for a season (minimum 10 games).
Creighton's Most 3-Pointers Per Game, Season
   3FG/G   3FG   GP   Name   Year
   3.79   129   34   Kyle Korver   2002-03
   3.29   69   21   Ty-Shon Alexander   2018-19
   3.15   82   26   Tad Ackerman   1994-95
   3.14   110   35   Ethan Wragge   2013-14
   3.13   100   32   Kyle Korver   2001-02
   2.90   61   21   Mitch Ballock   2018-19
   2.88   95   33   Marcus Foster   2017-18
3-Pointers, By Average
Creighton has made 11.76 three-pointers per game so far this season, easily its most ever. The Jays had never averaged more than 8.76 triples in any season before Greg McDermott's arrival.
   Here's a look at the most three-pointers per game in Creighton history. Of note is that each of the six completed seasons on this list ended with 21 or more wins and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Creighton's Most 3-Pointers Per Game in a Season
   3FG/G   Season   3FG   GP   W-L (Postseason)
   11.76   2018-19    247   21   12-9 so far
   10.39   2017-18   343   33   21-12 (NCAA)
   10.17   2013-14   356   35   27-8 (NCAA)
   8.76   1999-00   289   33   23-10 (NCAA)
   8.69   2016-17   304   35   25-10 (NCAA)
   8.62   2004-05   293   34   23-11 (NCAA)
   8.53   2012-13   307   36   28-8 (NCAA)
Triple Trivia
During Creighton's current streak of 837 straight games with a three-pointer, the Jays have drained 6,510 trifectas, an average of 7.78 treys per game.
   That's not surprising since during the streak, Creighton has made exactly 7 three-pointers 131 times, more than any figure.
   Only four times in the streak has Creighton made just one three-pointer, but on 224 occasions the Bluejays have made 10 or more trifectas, including three games of 20 or more.
   Creighton has made five or more three-pointers in 57 straight games (since shooting 4-20 from deep vs. Providence on 3/9/17), and has made at least one three-pointer before halftime in 208 consecutive contests (since 0-7 at Drake on 1/23/13).
Team 3FG Made During Creighton's 3-Point Streak
1:   4 times   2: 15 times   3: 30 times
4:   67 times   5:  94 times   6: 87 times
7:  131 times   8:  109 times   9: 76 times
10: 65 times   11: 48 times   12: 45 times
13: 36 times   14: 13 times   15:  6 times
16: 6 times   17: 1 time   19:  1 time
20: 1 time   21: 1 time   22: 1 time
All The Three's
Creighton drilled a program-record 22 three-point shots in its Dec. 20 home game vs. Coe, one year to the day after it made 19 treys vs. USC Upstate which now ranks as the fourth-most in a game in program history.
   CU's record-breaking three-pointer came with 31.4 seconds left by Marcus Zegarowski. One night earlier, Zegarowski's brother Michael Carter-Williams hit a trey with 30.3 seconds left as the Houston Rockets set the NBA single-game record with 26 three-pointers made.
   Here's a list of Creighton's all-time games with 16 or more treys.
Most 3FG in a Game, Creighton History
   Rank   3FG   Opponent   Date   Score
   1.   22   Coe   12/20/2018   W 110-60
   2.   21   at #4 Villanova   01/20/2014   W 96-68
   3.   20   Chattanooga   02/19/2005   W 100-69
   4.   19   USC Upstate   12/20/2017   W 116-62
   5.   17   #21 Marquette   01/09/2019   L 104-106 (ot)
   6.   16   Evansville   01/04/1999   L 79-84
      16   Drake   01/08/2013   W 91-61
      16   Chicago State   12/29/2013   W 90-58
      16   vs. Ole Miss   11/21/2016   W 86-77
      16   Alcorn State   11/12/2017   W 109-72
      16   at Georgetown   01/06/2018   W 90-66
3 > 1
Creighton ranks as one of the highest scoring teams in the nation this year despite not making many trips to the foul line thus far.
   The Bluejays have made 247 three-pointers this season, compared to 243 free throws.
When Three-Pointers Fall, Creighton Excels
Creighton is shooting 41.7 percent from three-point range this season, good for fourth-best nationally.
   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   4th   .417   12-9 so far
Not Your Ordinary Freshman
Marcus Zegarowski had a season-high 20 points on Dec. 20 vs. Coe. His season average of 10.8 points per game ranks third among BIG EAST freshmen.
   Zegarowski is attempting to become one of six Creighton freshmen in the past 25 seasons to average at least 10 points per game.
   This is the fifth straight season that Creighton has had a freshman with a 20-point game.
Freshmen With 20+ Point Games, Last 25 Seasons
   20+ Point Games   Name   Season
   6   Rodney Buford   1995-96
   6   Doug McDermott   2010-11
   5   Justin Patton   2016-17
   4   P'Allen Stinnett   2007-08
   3   Kyle Korver   1999-00
   2   Terrell Taylor   1999-00
   1   Ryan Sears   1999-00
   1   Ben Walker   1999-00
   1   Ethan Wragge   2009-10
   1   Toby Hegner   2014-15
   1   Khyri Thomas   2015-16
   1   Mitch Ballock   2017-18
   1   Marcus Zegarowski   2018-19
Most Points Per Game, CU Freshmen, Since 1994-95
   PPG   Name   Season
   14.9   Doug McDermott   2010-11
   14.5   Rodney Buford   1995-96
   12.9   Justin Patton   2015-16
   12.6   P'Allen Stinnett   2007-08
   10.8   Marcus Zegarowski   2018-19
   10.5   Ryan Sears   1997-98
Scoring In Bunches
Creighton has scored 1,736 points through 21 games to rank 25th nationally with 82.67 points per contest. That puts this year's team on pace to be the sixth-highest scoring team ever, and second-best in nearly 50 years.
Most Points Per Game, Season
   Rk.   PPG   Season   Final W-L (Postseason)
   1.   88.23   1965-66   14-12 (None)
   2.   84.17   1963-64   22-7 (NCAA)
   3.   83.96   1970-71   14-11 (None)
   4.   83.52   2017-18   21-12 (NCAA)
   5.   82.83   1964-65   13-10 (None)
   6.   82.67   2018-19   12-9 so far (TBD)
   7.   82.00   1968-69   13-13 (None)
   8.   81.83   2016-17   25-10 (NCAA)
   9.   80.89   1976-77   21-7 (NIT)
We're Jamming!
Creighton already has 63 dunks this season, with 44 of those coming by Martin Krampelj. Just how impressive is Krampelj's dunk total this year? It's two more than Duke sensation Zion Williamson.
   Here's a look at the Creighton student-athletes with 20 or more dunks in a season, or 19 or more dunks in a career, under Greg McDermott (since 2010-11):
Most Creighton Dunks, Season, Since 2010-11
Dunks   Name   Year
72   Justin Patton   2016-17
44   Martin Krampelj   2018-19
36   Gregory Echenique   2012-13
33   Martin Krampelj   2017-18
30   Gregory Echenique   2011-12
29   Marcus Foster   2017-18
24   Gregory Echenique   2010-11
23   Marcus Foster   2016-17
22   Kenny Lawson Jr.   2010-11
20   Khyri Thomas   2017-18
Most Creighton Dunks, Career, Since 2010-11
Dunks   Name   Years
91   Martin Krampelj   2015-Pres.
90   Gregory Echenique   2010-13
72   Justin Patton   2016-17
52   Marcus Foster   2016-18
51   Khyri Thomas   2015-18
38   Will Artino   2011-15
32   Zach Hanson   2013-17
25   Geoffrey Groselle   2012-16
22   Kenny Lawson Jr.   2010-11
19   Doug McDermott   2010-14
Most Creighton Dunks, Team, Season, Since 2010-11
Dunks   Year   Team W-L
144Â Â Â 2016-17Â Â Â 25-10 (NCAA)
107Â Â Â 2017-18Â Â Â 21-12 (NCAA)
63Â Â Â 2018-19Â Â Â 12-8 so far
58Â Â Â 2015-16Â Â Â 20-15 (NIT)
56Â Â Â 2010-11Â Â Â 23-16 (CBI)
54Â Â Â 2012-13Â Â Â 28-8 (NCAA)
42Â Â Â 2011-12Â Â Â 29-6 (NCAA)
35Â Â Â 2013-14Â Â Â 27-8 (NCAA)
29Â Â Â 2014-15Â Â Â 14-19
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.
   Creighton owns 11 victories since 2000 in which it has won after overcoming a deficit of 15 points or more, as seen below:
Overcoming Double-Digit Deficits, Since 2000
Deficit   Opponent   Date
19   Wichita State   01/28/06
18   #17 Western Kentucky   11/27/01
18   #18 Oklahoma   11/19/14
17   Missouri State   02/12/03
17   DePaul   11/09/07
17   Rhode Island   03/18/08
17   at San Diego State   11/30/11
16Â Â Â TCUÂ Â Â 01/26/03
16   at Drake   02/04/06
16   New Mexico   11/16/08
16   at Evansville   02/16/13
15   Wichita State   02/02/08
Free Falling
Despite a team of star marksmen from behind the arc, Creighton ranks just 287th nationally this year at the free throw line with its 66.9 percent accuracy. Â
   That may not seem like much, but consider that the Bluejays are shooting 74.8 percent in league play after struggling to 62.1 marksmanship from the line in non-conference action.
   The free throw woes have yet to cost the Bluejays too much, as CU has shot 78.9 percent (45-57) in the last five minutes of the second half (or overtime) from the stripe during its 10 games decided by 12 points or less.
   This year's struggles would definitely seem like and aberration, as the Bluejays rank 49th nationally in free throw percentage at 72.2 percent since Greg McDermott took over in 2010.
Challenging Schedule
Eight of Creighton's 13 non-conference opponents this season won 22 or more games last season, while a ninth foe (Oklahoma) reached the NCAA Tournament.
   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.
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 269 games at CHI Health Center Omaha all-time, Creighton has not trailed in 74 of those contests, a staggering 27.5 percent of the time.
   Under Greg McDermott at home, Creighton is 123-31 and hasn't trailed in 49 of those games.
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CHI Health Center Omaha Success
Creighton has played 269 regular and postseason contests at CHI Health Center Omaha all-time in the 16-year-old facility.
   The Bluejays own a 220-49 (.818) record all-time at the facility, and have never lost there on a Friday (16-0).
   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 20,969-17,598 in games at CHI Health Center Omaha, an average margin of 12.53 points per game. Creighton has not trailed 74 different times.
   Creighton is also 28-29 all-time in the 57 games at the arena in which it's fallen behind by double-figures at any point, 7-11 when down by 10+ points at halftime in the facility, and 34-25 when trailing at halftime at CHI Health Center Omaha.
   Creighton is 123-31 (.799) at CHI Health Center Omaha under Greg McDermott, including a 72-6 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 237-49 (.829) at home since the start of the 2002-03 campaign.
Among The Nation's Best
Below is where Creighton ranks nationally in the nine seasons since Greg McDermott took over in 2010-11, per Basketball-Reference.com.
2010-11 to January 31, 2019
Category   Stat   NCAA Rank
FG Percentage   .483   2nd
3FG Percentage   .388   3rd
3FG Made   2,669   3rd
Assists   4,934   4th
FG Made   8,243   10th
Wins   199   33rd
Winning Percentage   .659   40th
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 ranks second among all active players (Stephen Curry) and ranks fourth in NBA history with 2,305 three-pointers. He's also second among active players (Stephen Curry, again) and eighth all-time in league history with 43.10 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 42.2 percent from downtown and averaging 8.8 points per game this season.
   Tolliver is averaging 4.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game on 38.1 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 6.7 points per game on 38.8 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 made his NBA debut on Nov. 9th and is averaging 3.2 points and 0.9 rebounds per game.
Full House
This year Creighton is averaging 17,149 fans per game at home, 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 1/31)
   Rk.   School   Average   Next Home
   1.   Kentucky   21,015   2/5
   2.   North Carolina   20,852   2/5
   3.   Syracuse   20,186   2/5
   4.   Tennessee   18,406   2/5
   5.   Creighton   17,149   2/3
   6.   Wisconsin   17,111   2/1
   7.   Kansas   16,209   2/2
   8.   Indiana   15,816   2.7
   9.   Nebraska   15,620   2/6
   10.   Marquette   15,364   2/5
Some Loyal Fans
Creighton played in front of 306,000 home fans last season, a school-record.
   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 16 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
   17,149 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
Going For 20
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).
Home Run
Since Greg McDermott took over in 2010, Creighton is averaging 81.01 points per home game (12,475 points in 154 home games), a figure that climbs to 85.38 points in non-conference home games (6,660 points in 78 home games).
   Creighton is 101-5 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 No. 1 Gonzaga on Dec. 1.
Release, Rotation, Splash, Repeat
Creighton has made at least one three-pointer in 837 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 1/31)
   Rk.   Streak   School   Next Game
   1.   1,059   UNLV   2/2
   2.   1,051   Vanderbilt   2/2
   3.   1,041   Duke   2/2
   4.   997   Arkansas   2/2
      997   Western Kentucky   2/2
   6.   982   East Tennessee State   2/2
   7.   972   Pacific   2/2
   8.   960   Oakland   2/2
   9.   949   Texas   2/2
   10.   919   Princeton   2/1
   11.   901   Marshall   2/2
   12.   888   Baylor   2/2
   13.   871   Gonzaga   2/2
   14.   865   LIU-Brooklyn   2/2
   15.   847   Cornell   2/1
      847   Mount St. Mary's   2/2
   17.   837   Creighton   2/3
   18.   836   Tennessee State   2/2
   19.   831   East Carolina   2/3
McDermott Ranks Second On CU Wins List
Greg McDermott currently has 199 victories at Creighton, good for second place on CU's all-time wins list.
   McDermott's .659 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.   199-103   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 82.67 points per game to date.
   Greg McDermott is 59-4 as a Division I head coach when his teams score 90 or more points, including a 53-4 mark on the Creighton sideline.
   Creighton is 63-3 all-time when scoring 100 points or more, and had a streak of 36 straight wins when scoring triple-digits since a 1977 loss to North Texas State snapped in the Jan. 9 loss to Marquette (106-104).
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
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
2018-19Â Â Â 5th
2017-18:Â Â Â 2nd
2016-17:Â Â Â 3rd
2015-16:Â Â Â 4th
2014-15:Â Â Â 3rd
2013-14:Â Â Â 4th
2012-13:Â Â Â 2nd
2011-12:Â Â Â 2nd
2010-11:Â Â Â 1st
2009-10:Â Â Â 3rd
2008-19:Â Â Â 4th
2007-08:Â Â Â 5th
2006-07:Â Â Â 5th
2005-06:Â Â Â 3rd
2004-05:Â Â Â 2nd
2003-04:Â Â Â 4th
2002-03:Â Â Â 5th
2001-02:Â Â Â 3rd
2000-01:Â Â Â 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.
Players Mentioned
Meet the Jays - MBB Blake Harper
Friday, August 15
Meet the Jays - MBB Austin Swartz
Friday, August 15
Meet the Jays - MBB Jasen Green
Friday, August 15
Meet the Jays - MBB Ty Davis
Friday, August 15