Mitch Ballock
Photo by: Chelsea Nicholson
#8 Men's Basketball Visits #5 Kansas on Tuesday in Big 12-BIG EAST Battle
12/7/2020 1:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Creighton seeks fifth straight win over a top-10 team
Game #4: #8 Creighton Bluejays at #5 Kansas Jayhawks
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020 • 4:00 p.m.
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300) • Lawrence, Kan.
Radio: KOZN 1620 AM, www.1620thezone.com
Television: ESPN (Mark Neely, Robbie Hummel)
Series History: Kansas leads, 9-6
Last Meeting: #14 Kansas 55, #19 Creighton 54 on March 14, 1974 in Tulsa, Okla.
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES | KU NOTES
Next Game
It'll be a top-10 match-up on Tuesday afternoon when No. 8 Creighton (3-0) visits No. 5 Kansas (4-1) as part of the Big 12 - BIG EAST Battle.
Tip-off on at Allen Fieldhouse (16,300) in Lawrence, Kan., is set for 4:00 p.m.
Radio Broadcast Information
KOZN (1620 AM) will broadcast all Creighton men's basketball games during the 2020-21 season. KOOO (101.9 FM) will also broadcast all home games that start after 5 p.m.
John Bishop will call the action. The audio is also webcast live at www.1620thezone.com.
Television Broadcast Information
Tuesday's game at Kansas will be televised by ESPN, with Mark Neely and Robbie Hummel on the call.
Of Creighton's last 134 games, all but the three contests at the 2018 Cayman Islands Classic have been televised. The Bluejays are 90-44 in those contests.
Tuesday's tilt will be Creighton's first regular-season game to air on ESPN since Feb. 23, 2013, a BracketBusters contest at Saint Mary's.
Creighton's last regular-season win on ESPN came all the back on Feb. 18, 2006, a 67-62 victory over Fresno State in a BracketBusters game that tipped off at 11:02 p.m. Central.
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 No. 8 Creighton
Creighton is ranked eighth nationally in the AP poll after a 3-0 start that includes convincing wins vs. North Dakota State (69-58), Omaha (94-67) and Kennesaw State (93-58).
The Bluejays return four starters and five of its top six scorers from last season's team that finished 24-7 and won a share of its first BIG EAST regular-season title. CU's 2019-20 team was ranked No. 7 in the year-end Associated Press poll, while this year's club was 11th in the preseason AP poll. Both are program bests for a preseason or postseason poll.
Point guard Marcus Zegarowski (12.3 ppg., 7.0 apg.) has been named Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year and is a Preseason All-American by nearly every outlet after averaging 16.1 points and 5.1 assists per game last season. He had a double-double vs. Omaha last Tuesday in which he had 11 points and a career-high 11 assists.
Junior forward Christian Bishop (15.0 ppg., 5.3 rpg.) led Creighton in scoring during each of the first two games. He is shooting 81.0 percent from the floor and 91.7 percent at the line.
Also averaging in double-figures are freshman Ryan Kalkbrenner (10.7 ppg.), Memphis transfer Antwann Jones (10.7 ppg.), BIG EAST Sixth Man of the Year Denzel Mahoney (10.5 ppg.) and senior forward Damien Jefferson (10.0 ppg.).
Creighton is shooting 51.9 percent from the field through three games, scoring 85.3 points per game and holding foes to 61.0 points per contest.
Scouting #5 Kansas
Ranked fifth nationally, Kansas is off to a 4-1 start this season. The Jayhawks lost 102-90 to No. 1 Gonzaga in the season-opener, but have since responded with wins over Saint Joseph's (94-72), No. 20 Kentucky (65-62), Washburn (89-54) and North Dakota State (65-61).
Ochai Agbaji leads KU with 16.2 points per game, 13 three-pointers, seven steals and four blocked shots.
Other Jayhawks in double-figures are Jalen Wilson (15.0 ppg., 8.8 rpg.) and Christian Braun (12.8 ppg., 7.0 rpg.).
Preseason All-America candidate Marcus Garrett ranks as one of the nation's top defenders and averages 9.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and a team-leading 3.0 assists per game.
Kansas averages 80.6 points per game and has shot 44.6 percent from the floor, 39.0 percent from three-point range and 68.9 percent at the line while owning a +9.0 rebound advantage.
The Series With Kansas
Kansas leads the all-time series with Creighton by a 9-6 count, including a 5-1 advantage in Lawrence.
The teams have not met since a 55-54 KU win in Tulsa in the 1974 NCAA Tournament, and Creighton's last win in the series came on Dec. 5, 1949 (59-55 in Omaha).
Creighton's lone win in Lawrence came on Dec. 15, 1942. That Creighton team beat KU both in Lawrence and Omaha during a 16-0 regular-season.
Creighton head coach Greg McDermott is 0-8 all-time against the Jayhawks, with all eight meetings coming between 2006-10 when he was the head coach at Iowa State.
McDermott is 0-8 in head-to-head meetings against Bill Self. Self is 2-3 in his career against Creighton (0-3 as Oral Roberts coach, 1-0 as Tulsa coach, 1-0 as Illinois coach).
The Creighton Coaches
Greg McDermott (Northern Iowa, 1988) owns a 234-116 record in his 11th season with the Bluejays. He owns a career mark of 514-311 in 27 seasons, and is 383-247 in his 20th Division I campaign.
McDermott led Creighton to its first BIG EAST regular-season title last season, taking a Bluejay team that was picked seventh in the league's preseason poll and ending the year ranked seventh nationally. For those efforts, he was recognized as the BIG EAST Coach of the Year as well as the USBWA District VI Coach of the Year, NABC District 5 Coach of the Year and Basketball Times Midlands District Coach of the Year.
McDermott has previously been a head coach at Iowa State (2006-10), Northern Iowa (2001-06), North Dakota State (2000-01) and Wayne State (1994-2000).
He is assisted by Alan Huss, Paul Lusk and Terrence Rencher.
With A Win...
- Creighton would earn its sixth straight win against an opponent ranked in the top-25, and its fifth straight win against a foe ranked in the top-10.
- Creighton would improve to 4-0 on the season with its sixth straight win dating to last year.
- Creighton would start 4-0 for the sixth time in 11 seasons under Greg McDermott.
- Creighton would improve to 124-46 all-time (90-34 under Greg McDermott) as a nationally-ranked team.
- Creighton would win for the seventh time in 16 meetings against Kansas. It would be Creighton's first win vs. KU since 1949, and the Bluejays first victory in Lawrence against the Jayhawks since 1942.
- Creighton would improve to 2-0 in the Big 12 - BIG EAST Battle, having also beaten Oklahoma last season.
- Creighton would pick up a top-10 win in non-conference play for the first time since 2016 (No. 9 Wisconsin on Nov. 15), and a top-10 non-conference road win for the first time since a 75-69 win at No. 6 Marquette on Feb. 9, 1974.
- Creighton would improve to 40-147 all-time against ranked teams (22-32 under Greg McDermott), 11-77 in road games against ranked teams (9-14 under McDermott) and 15-65 against top-10 teams (10-14 under McDermott).
- Creighton would improve to 11-12 as a ranked team when facing antoher ranked team (10-8 under Greg McDermott).
- Creighton would improve to 1-1 in contests among top-10 teams (1-1 under Greg McDermott).
- Creighton would win its fifth straight game against a top-10 opponent, having last season beaten No. 8 Seton Hall (March 7), No. 10 Seton Hall (Feb. 12) and No. 8 Villanova (Feb. 1) as well as a March 3, 2019 win at No. 10 Marquette. That would break a tie with Ohio State for the nation's longest active win streak against top-10 competition.
Top 10 Bluejays
After starting the year ranked 11th in both the AP and USA Today Coaches polls, Creighton has ascended into the top 10.
Creighton's No. 8 ranking in the AP poll this week marks the 15th time the writer's have voted the Bluejays into the top-10. All but one of those times have occurred under Greg McDermott. Creighton's highest AP ranking ever has been No. 7 (Jan. 16, 2017; March 9, 2020; March 16, 2020).
Creighton is one of 10 teams that have been ranked in all nine AP polls since Feb. 3, 2020, joining Baylor, Duke, Florida State, Gonzaga, Houston, Iowa, Kansas, Tennessee and Villanova.
Creighton has been ranked in the top-10 of the USA Today Coaches poll in 13 different weeks in program history, and is seventh this week. All but one of those weeks have occurred under Greg McDermott. Creighton's best coaches poll ranking ever has been No. 7 (Jan. 16, 2017 and this week).
Ranked vs. Ranked
Creighton is 10-12 all-time as a ranked team when facing a ranked team, including a 9-8 overall mark under Greg McDermott.
Creighton is 0-1 in top-10 battles, falling in the final minutes to lose its only previous chance to No. 1 Villanova in 2016 when the Jays were ranked 10th. Here's those games:
Creighton's Top-25 vs. Top-25 Games
Date CU Rank Opponent Rank Result
03/04/1974 #16 #14 South Carolina L 69-78
03/14/1974 #19 vs. #14 Kansas L 54-55
03/16/1974 #19 vs. #16 Louisville W 80-71
03/08/1975 #13 #5 Marquette L 60-64
12/31/2002 #15 at #19 Xavier L 73-75
03/18/2012 #19 vs. #4 North Carolina L 73-87
03/24/2013 #22 vs. #6 Duke L 50-66
02/16/2014 #18 #6 Villanova W 101-80
03/23/2014 #16 vs. #23 Baylor L 55-85
11/15/2016 #22 #9 Wisconsin W 77-69
12/31/2016 #10 #1 Villanova L 70-80
01/11/2017 #8 #12 Butler W 75-64
01/16/2017 #7 at #22 Xavier W 72-67
01/31/2017 #22 at #16 Butler W 76-67
02/25/2017 #23 at #2 Villanova L 63-79
12/01/2017 #25 at #15 Gonzaga L 74-91
12/28/2017 #25 at #23 Seton Hall L 84-90
01/13/2018 #25 at #10 Xavier L 70-92
02/12/2020 #23 at #10 Seton Hall W 87-82
02/18/2020 #15 at #19 Marquette W 73-65
02/23/2020 #15 #21 Butler W 81-59
03/07/2020 #11 #8 Seton Hall W 77-60
Toppled 10
Creighton has won each of its last four games against a team ranked in the top-10, tied with Ohio State for the nation's longest active streak. The Bluejays have outscored the opposition by an average of 10.8 points pr game in those four wins.
Creighton has also won five of its last six games against top-10 foes, outscoring the opposition by 6.3 points per game.
Creighton's Last Six Games vs. Top 10 Teams
Date Opponent Score
02/24/2018 #3 Villanova W 89-83 (OT)
12/01/2018 #1 Gonzaga L 92-103
03/03/2019 at #10 Marquette W 66-60
02/01/2020 at #8 Villanova W 76-61
02/12/2020 at #10 Seton Hall W 87-82
03/07/2020 #8 Seton Hall W 77-60
Jays Hunt For Another Top 10 Road Win
Since the start of the 2013-14 season when Creighton joined the BIG EAST, the Bluejays own four top-10 road wins. Creighton beat No. 4 Villanova in 2014, No. 10 Marquette in 2019, No. 8 Villanova in 2020 and No. 10 Seton Hall in 2020.
The four top-10 road wins in those eight seasons rank tied for the fourth-most nationally with Michigan, trailing only Kansas (7), Duke (5), Oklahoma (5).
Last season marked the first time in program history that Creighton posted multiple top-10 road wins in the same year.
Creighton owns five top-10 road wins in program history. Four of those have come under Greg McDermott, with three of them in the last 21 months. Creighton's three top-10 road wins since the start of the 2018-19 season are tied with Michigan State for the most nationally.
Creighton's Top-10 Road Wins All-Time
Date Opponent Score
02/09/1974 at #6 Marquette W 75-69
01/20/2014 at #4 Villanova W 96-68
03/03/2019 at #10 Marquette W 66-60
02/01/2020 at #8 Villanova W 76-61
02/12/2020 at #10 Seton Hall W 87-82
Most Top-10 Road Wins Since 2018-19
Rk. W-L Team
1. 3-0 Creighton
3-0 Michigan State
3. 2-0 Seton Hall
2-3 Florida State
Ranking News & Notes
- Creighton is 21-32 under Greg McDermott against nationally-ranked teams, 14 more top-25 wins than any other coach in Creighton history. Prior to McDermott's arrival, Creighton was 18-115 all-time against top-25 foes.
- Creighton is 1-16 all-time in true road games against top-5 teams, with the win at No. 4 Villanova in 2014.
- Creighton has beaten at least one top-12 team each of the previous five seasons (including four such wins in 2019-20). On a national basis, the only 12 teams with a top-12 win each of the last five seasons (entering 2020-21) are Creighton, Duke, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas Tech, Villanova, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
- Creighton has beaten at least one ranked team in each of the last seven seasons (entering 2020-21), and multiple ranked foes in each of the previous six years.
- Creighton has beaten at least one top-25 team each of the last seven years (entering 2020-21). On a national basis, the only 27 teams with a top-25 win each of the last seven seasons (entering 2020-21) are Baylor, Cincinnati, Clemson, Creighton, Duke, Florida State, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Seton Hall, South Carolina, Syracuse, Temple, Texas Tech, Villanova, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin and Xavier.
- Creighton is 16-15 since the start of the 2016-17 season against ranked teams. The 16 wins over ranked teams in that time is tied for 13th nationally, and trails only Villanova (22) among BIG EAST clubs. Kansas is second on that same list with 27 top-25 wins, one behind Duke.
- Creighton's seven top-25 road wins since the start of 2016-17 are tied for fourth-most nationally. Only Michigan State (9), Duke (8) and Virginia (8) have more, while Kansas also owns seven. No one else owns more than five.
Most Top-25 Road Wins Since 2016-17
Rk. Wins Team
1. 9 Michigan State
2. 8 Duke
8 Virginia
4. 7 Creighton
7 Kansas
6. 5 Villanova
5 Wisconsin
5 UCLA
Big Mac On The Attack
Greg McDermott's teams have consistently battled some of the best teams in the country.
The chart below shows how his teams have consistently outpaced those of his predecessors against top-25 foes.
Category Pre-McDermott Under McDermott
vs. Top 25 Teams 18-115 21-32
vs. Top 10 Teams 5-31 9-14
vs. Top 10 on Road 1-28 4-7
vs. Top 25 on Road 2-63 8-14
In Search of 20
Creighton has won 20 or more games in 20 of the last 22 seasons (entering 2020-21), a feat that puts the Jays among an exclusive group, nationally.
Just three schools nationally have had 20 or more wins each of the previous 22 years: Duke (22), Gonzaga (22) and Kansas (22).
Kentucky has done it 21 times. Creighton and Florida have done it 20 times.
Most 20-Win Seasons, Last 22 Years
Team 20-Win Seasons 2019-20 W-L
Gonzaga 22 31-2
Kansas 22 28-3
Duke 22 25-6
Kentucky 21 25-6
Creighton 20 24-7
Florida 20 19-12
Where Is Everybody?
Allen Fieldhouse is typically one of the greatest atmospheres in college basketball, but a limited number of fans (2,500) will be admitted into Tuesday's game.
Creighton has ranked in the top-10 schools nationally in average home attendance in each of the last nine seasons, while Kansas has done that for 12 consecutive campaigns.
Here's how the schools have ranked in the previous 15 seasons in average home attendance.
Year CU Avg. (Rank) KU Avg. (Rank)
2005-06 13,900 (20th) 16,300 (10th)
2006-07 15,909 (13th) 16,300 (12th)
2007-08 15,333 (15th) 16,409 (13th)
2008-09 15,930 (12th) 16,350 (9th)
2009-10 14,495 (15th) 16,433 (9th)
2010-11 13,507 (22nd) 16,436 (9th)
2011-12 16,665 (6th) 16,445 (10th)
2012-13 17,155 (6th) 16,438 (10th)
2013-14 17,896 (5th) 16,437 (9th)
2014-15 17,048 (6th) 16,383 (7th)
2015-16 15,941 (10th) 16,436 (9th)
2016-17 17,412 (5th) 16,395 (8th)
2017-18 17,000 (5th) 16,344 (7th)
2018-19 15,980 (8th) 16,236 (7th)
2019-20 17,314 (5th) 16,388 (8th)
Stepping Up
One reason for Creighton's success last season against elite competition was the standout play of stars Marcus Zegarowski and Denzel Mahoney.
Zegarowski averaged 18.9 points per game while shooting 60.4 percent from the field (58-96) and 51.4 percent from three-point range (18-35) against top-25 competition last season, when Creighton won 6-of-8 games.
Mahoney averaged 18.3 points per game in three games against top-10 teams (all wins), as three of his top five scoring outputs came in those games.
Big 12 - BIG EAST Battle
Tuesday's game in Lawrence is part of the Big 12 - BIG EAST Battle, which is in the second of a four-year agreement. The matchups were jointly determined by the two conferences.
Last year the BIG EAST won 8-of-10 match-ups. Creighton beat Oklahoma 83-73 in Omaha, while Kansas lost at Villanova, 56-55.
This year's series is currently being led by Big 12 (2-1), with the road team winning all three tilts. The full 2020 schedule is below:
2020 Big 12-BIG EAST Battle Schedule
Nov. 29 Baylor at Seton Hall Canceled
Dec. 1 Oklahoma State at Marquette OSU 70-62
Dec. 3 St. John's at Texas Tech Canceled
Dec. 6 West Virginia at Georgetown WVU 80-71
DePaul at Iowa State Canceled
Villanova at Texas VU 68-64
Dec. 8 Creighton at Kansas
Dec. 9 Oklahoma at Xavier
Providence at TCU
Dec. 11 Kansas State at Butler
2019 BIG EAST - Big 12-BIG Battle Results
Dec. 4 Georgetown at Oklahoma State GU 81-74
Texas Tech at DePaul DPU 65-60 (OT)
Dec. 7 West Virginia at St. John's SJU 70-68
Marquette at Kansas State MU 73-65
Dec. 8 Seton Hall at Iowa State ISU 76-66
Dec. 10 Butler at Baylor BAY 53-52
Dec. 17 Oklahoma at Creighton CU 83-73
Dec. 21 Kansas at Villanova VU 56-55
Texas at Providence PC 70-48
Dec. 22 Xavier at TCU XU 67-59
Road Openers
Creighton is 5-5 under Greg McDermott in its first true road game of the season, and 13-12 in the last 25 years in the initial road game.
The road opener has been the barometer for Creighton's postseason plans in the previous 12 years. Creighton has made the NCAA Tournament the five times it has won the road opener, and missed the NCAA Tournament the other seven seasons.
Creighton in Road Openers, Last 12 Years
Year Opponent Score CU in NCAA's?
2008-09 Ark.-Little Rock L 71-69 No (NIT)
2009-10 #21 Dayton L 90-80 No (CIT)
2010-11 Northwestern L 65-52 No (CBI)
2011-12 UAB W 70-60 Yes
2012-13 Nebraska W 64-42 Yes
2013-14 Saint Joseph's W 83-79 Yes
2014-15 Tulsa L 77-64 No
2015-16 #14 Indiana L 86-65 No (NIT)
2016-17 Nebraska W 77-62 Yes
2017-18 #20 Northwestern W 92-88 Yes
2018-19 Nebraska L 94-75 No (NIT)
2019-20 Michigan L 79-69 No (Covid-19)
Jays With Rare Advantage vs. Self
Few men have enjoyed the success nationally as Hall of Fame coach Bill Self, who is 711-215 since becoming a head coach in 1993.
However, Self is just 2-3 against Creighton. The Bluejays are one of six teams he has faced five times or more in his career but still has a record below .500. With a Creighton win on Tuesday, Self's .333 win percentage (2-4) would match his lowest mark against any foe (min. 5 games), as he's also 2-4 against Fresno State and Southern Illinois.
Bill Self Under .500 vs. Opponents (min. 5 games)
Fresno State .333 2-4
Southern Illinois .333 2-4
Arizona .375 3-5
Creighton .400 2-3
Duke .429 3-4
Villanova .444 4-5
Putting In Work
Ryan Kalkbrenner has been ultra-productive in the first three games of his young career. In 40:37 of playing time, Kalkbrenner has 32 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots.
Nationally through games of Sunday, Kalkbrenner was one of 56 players who had at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots in the first three games of the season. Kalkbrenner's 41 minutes played were 11 fewer than any other player on that list.
On a pro-rated per 40 minutes basis, Kalkbrenner leads Creighton with 31.5 points and 3.9 blocks and also averages 11.8 rebounds per 40 minutes.
Here's a look at the Creighton's only players to have at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots in the team's first three games of any season under Greg McDermott.
Creighton Men With 30 Points/10 Rebounds/4 Blocks
(CU's first 3 games of a season under McDermott)
Name Year Pts Reb Blk Min.
Toby Hegner 2014-15 32 16 4 84
Martin Krampelj 2017-18 36 26 4 72
Ryan Kalkbrenner 2020-21 32 12 4 41
Ryan Rejects 'Em
Ryan Kalkbrenner has blocked at least one shot in each of Creighton's first three games this season. He's the first Bluejay to do that as a true freshman since Benoit Benjamin in 1982-83. Benjamin finished his three-year career with an MVC-record 411 blocked shots.
Below is a list of Creighton's longest streaks with a blocked shot to start a season by all players since 1989-90:
Games With A Block To Start Season Since 1982-83
Streak Name Year
27 Benoit Benjamin 1982-83
23* Benoit Benjamin 1983-84
8 Doug Swenson 1998-99
6 Kenny Lawson Jr. 2008-09
6 Kenny Lawson Jr. 2009-10
5 Mike Amos 1992-93
5 Gregory Echenique 2011-12
4 Benoit Benjamin 1984-85
4 Brody Deren 2003-04
4 Anthony Tolliver 2006-07
4 Martin Krampelj 2017-18
3 Gregory Brandon 1982-83
3 Randall Crutcher 1995-96
3 Adam Reid 1996-97
3 Jeffrey Day 2004-05
3 Anthony Tolliver 2005-06
3 Toby Hegner 2014-15
3 Ty-Shon Alexander 2019-20
3 Ryan Kalkbrenner 2020-21
*Benjamin had a block in all 30 games played, but missed CU's 24th game in 1983-84
Number Eleven Goes Up To Eleven
Marcus Zegarowski had his first career double-double last Tuesday vs. Omaha when the junior guard who wears No. 11 finished with 11 points and 11 assists.
Zegarowski's 11 assists were a career-high and the most by a Bluejay since Maurice Watson Jr. had 14 assists at Providence on Jan. 7, 2017.
Zegarowski owns 21 assists through three games this season. Since 1997-98, the only Bluejay with more through three games was Watson with 32 in 2016-17.
Bishop Goes Big
Christian Bishop led Creighton in scoring during each of the first two games, and past history suggest he's in for a big season.
Bishop is the fifth Bluejay this century to lead CU in scoring each of the first two games. Each of the other four men would go on to earn First Team All-Conference accolades that season.
Those men include Ty-Shon Alexander (2019-20), Marcus Foster (2017-18), Doug McDermott (2013-14) and Kyle Korver (2002-03). Those four men combined to earn nine First Team All-Conference honors, and three of the four have signed NBA contracts.
Denzel's 2020-21 Debut
After missing Creighton's season-opener vs. North Dakota State, Denzel Mahoney made up for lost time with 17 points in 22 minutes vs. Omaha last Tuesday.
Mahoney made 6-of-9 shots and tied his career-best by sinking five three-pointers.
On The Double
Creighton won its season-opener vs. North Dakota State 69-58, topped Omaha 94-67 and destroyed Kennesaw State 93-58. In each game, the Bluejays led by 10 or more points the entire second half.
For the season, Creighton has trailed for just 12:22 of 120 minutes of play (10.3%).
Creighton has now started the season with three straight double-figure victories for the first time since the 2012-13 club had six such wins to begin the year. That team would win the MVC and reach the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament.
That 2012-13 campaign is also the last time (before 2020-21) that Creighton has allowed 67 points or less in each of its first three contests.
Most Improved?
In an interview he gave on the eve of the season-opener with White & Blue Review, head coach Greg McDermott identified Christian Bishop and Shereef Mitchell as the team's two most improved players.
A day later, he was proven correct.
Bishop led all players with 16 points while making 6-of-7 shots vs. North Dakota State. He then added 18 points in the second game vs. Omaha. Bishop shot 43.2 percent from the charity stripe as a freshman, 57.9 percent as a sophomore and this season is connecting at a 91.7 percent clip.
Mitchell finished +21 in 26 minutes on the court vs. NDSU, finishing with five points, two steals and a pair of rebounds. He also drilled his first three-point attempt of the season after finishing his freshman campaign just 1-of-12 from long-range. Mitchell then contributed five rebounds and four assists vs. Omaha and tied his career-high with 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting vs. Kennesaw State, plus his usual tenacious defense.
McDermott's 350th Game at Creighton
Greg McDermott coached in his 350th game as Creighton head coach last Friday vs. Kennesaw State. He owns a 234-116 record.
Only one previous person in program history has served as head men's basketball coach for 350 games, with that being McDermott's predecessor Dana Altman.
Altman finished his CU career in 2010 with a 327-176 record, and owned a 226-124 mark after 350 games with the Bluejays.
Here's a look at Altman and McDermott per each 50 games at Creighton:
Game # at CU Altman W-L McDermott W-L
50 20-30 33-17
100 45-55 72-28
150 82-68 112-38
200 116-84 135-65
250 155-95 168-82
300 194-106 198-102
350 226-124 234-116
400 260-140 --
450 294-156 --
500 325-175 --
Playing With The Lead
In 296 games at CHI Health Center Omaha all-time, Creighton has not trailed in 84 of those contests, a staggering 28.4 percent of the time.
Under Greg McDermott at home, Creighton is 148-33 and hasn't trailed in 59 of those games.
A One And A Two And A Three...
Creighton has started 3-0 for the eighth time in 11 seasons under Greg McDermott, and on Tuesday seeks its first 4-0 start since the 2017-18 squad did it.
All five of Greg McDermott's Creighton teams to reach the NCAA Tournament did so after winning its first three games of the season.
Preseason Acclaim
Junior guard Marcus Zegarowski was named Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year on Oct. 28th. In addition, senior guard Mitch Ballock was also voted as a Preseason Second Team All-BIG EAST performer in the annual survey of league coaches.
The Bluejays, along with Kansas, are one of six schools with a Watch List candidate for both the Bob Cousy and Jerry West Awards, joining Baylor (MaCio Teague & Jared Butler), Florida State (MJ Walker & Scottie Barnes), Gonzaga (Joel Ayayi & Jalen Suggs), Kansas (Ochai Agbaji & Marcus Garrett) and Villanova (Justin Moore & Collin Gillespie).
Zegarowski is Creighton's second player ever named Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year, joining Doug McDermott (2013-14). McDermott would go on to win BIG EAST Player of the Year honors, as well as 14 National Player of the Year accolades, at season's end.
In addition, both men have been recognized among the best in the nation at their position. Zegarowski is one of 20 players on the Preseason Watch List for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award, and Ballock one of 20 players on the Preseason Watch List for the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award.
Torn ACL's End Two Seasons Early
Creighton will be without Rati Andronikashvili and Modestas Kancleris during the 2020-21 season after both men tore the anterior cruciate ligaments in their left knee three days apart during practices in early November.
Andronikashvili was injured on Nov. 1, with Kancleris three days last on Nov. 4. The two men, who are roommates, hail from the countries of Georgia and Lithuania, respectively.
On The Mend
When Creighton's 2020-21 season began on November 29th, it had been 716 days since Jacob Epperson's last appearance in a Division I game.
Epperson's last appearance came on Dec. 14, 2018 vs. Green Bay. He would earn a medical hardship for the rest of the 2018-19 season after undergoing knee surgery, then missed all of last year with a broken leg suffered in the preseason.
Epperson played seven minutes vs. North Dakota State, leading all players with two blocked shots.
He then had six points and tied a career-high with six rebounds vs. Omaha on Dec. 1, including a dunk for his first points since returning.
Epperson added four points and four rebounds vs. Kennesaw State in 10 minutes last Friday.
Home Run
Since Greg McDermott took over in 2010, Creighton is averaging 81.19 points per home game (14,777 points in 182 home games), a figure that climbs to 85.00 points in non-conference home games (7,820 points in 92 home games).
Creighton is 117-5 all-time at CHI Health Center Omaha when scoring 80 or points.
Double Jeopardy
Creighton has won each of its last nine home games by double-figures, a streak that started on January 26, 2020.
A win by 10+ points on Friday vs. Nebraska would tie it for the second-longest such streak in program history.
Longest Streak of Consecutive 10+ Point Home Wins
Streak First Game of Streak Last Game of Streak
15 01/19/1918 01/27/1920
10 02/19/2013 12/31/2013
9 12/01/2012 02/02/2013
9 01/21/1998 12/05/1998
9 1/26/2020 Active Streak
8 11/17/2002 01/15/2003
8 02/17/1923 01/29/1924
Ballock Surpasses 1,000 Points (Again)
Mitch Ballock owns 1,022 career points after surpassing the 1,000 point mark on Nov. 29 vs. North Dakota State in CU's season-opener, which was also his 100th career game.
Ballock entered last season's BIG EAST Tournament with 996 points and scored nine points in the first half vs. St. John's on March 12th, but those points were erased when the game was abandoned at halftime.
Games To 1,000 Points, Last 18 Bluejays
Name CU Games to 1,000 pts. Date
Mitch Ballock 100 11/29/20
Ty-Shon Alexander 85 01/15/20
Khyri Thomas 94 02/10/18
Marcus Foster 54 01/17/18
Austin Chatman 138 03/11/15
Ethan Wragge 132 01/18/14
Gregory Echenique 101 03/24/13
Doug McDermott 57 01/15/12
Antoine Young 115 12/10/11
Kenny Lawson Jr. 108 11/21/10
P'Allen Stinnett 86 01/16/10
Dane Watts 115 01/22/08
Anthony Tolliver 124 03/16/07
Johnny Mathies 91 03/03/06
Nate Funk 92 02/28/05
Kyle Korver 81 01/30/02
Ben Walker 105 01/06/01
Ryan Sears 97 12/01/00
Rodney Buford 59 03/01/97
Most Career Points, Creighton History
Rank Pts. Name Years
1. 3,150 Doug McDermott 2010-14
2. 2,116 Rodney Buford 1995-99
3. 2,110 Bob Harstad 1987-91
4. 1,983 Chad Gallagher 1987-91
5. 1,876 Bob Portman 1966-69
6. 1,801 Kyle Korver 1999-03
7. 1,754 Nate Funk 2002-07
8. 1,682 Rick Apke 1974-78
9. 1,661 Paul Silas 1961-64
10. 1,654 Vernon Moore 1981-85
11. 1,575 Benoit Benjamin 1982-85
12. 1,526 John C. Johnson 1975-79
13. 1,500 Kevin McKenna 1977-81
14. 1,437 Eddie Cole 1951-55
15. 1,369 Gene Harmon 1971-74
16. 1,361 Duan Cole 1987-92
17. 1,342 Antoine Young 2008-12
18. 1,313 Kenny Lawson Jr. 2006-11
19. 1,309 Ryan Sears 1997-01
20. 1,303 Elton Tuttle 1951-54
21. 1,292 Marcus Foster 2016-18
22. 1,272 Bob Gibson 1954-57
23. 1,267 Wally Anderzunas 1965-67, 1968-69
24. 1,254 Gary Swain 1983-87
25. 1,241 Ty-Shon Alexander 2017-20
25. 1,238 Ben Walker 1997-01
27. 1,196 Ray Yost 1951-54
28. 1,172 Dick Harvey 1956-59
29. 1,155 Ethan Wragge 2009-14
30. 1,152 Dane Watts 2004-08
31. 1,140 Khyri Thomas 2015-18
32. 1,116 Kenny Evans 1982-87
33. 1,115 Doug Brookins 1972-75
1,115 Daryl Stovall 1978-82
35. 1,093 Tim Powers 1964-67
36. 1,050 Reggie Morris 1982-86
37. 1,031 Johnny Mathies 2003-06
38. 1,024 P'Allen Stinnett 2007-10
39. 1,023 Rod Mason 1986-88
40. 1,022 Mitch Ballock 2017-Pres.
41. 1,013 Austin Chatman 2011-15
42. 1,006 Gregory Echenique 2010-13
43. 1,004 Anthony Tolliver 2003-07
Jays Mourn Loss Of Two Greats
Two prominent members of the Creighton Basketball family passed away in the off-season, as Eddie Sutton died on May 23rd and Bob Gibson lost his battle with pancreatic cancer a few months later on October 2nd. Both men were 84.
Sutton went 82-50 as Creighton's head coach and athletic director between 1969-74. His 806-329 overall mark in 37 years of coaching ranks 11th on the all-time Division I wins list. In April he was announced as part of the Class of 2020 that will be enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame -- part of a group that also contains Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant. However, COVID-19 has pushed that induction ceremony back to 2021.
Gibson starred in both baseball and basketball with the Bluejays from 1954-57, finishing his college career third with 1,272 career points (he's currently 22nd). He remains in the top-five in CU history in free throws made (418), free throw attempts (575) and scoring average (20.19 ppg.), and his No. 45 basketball jersey is retired. He would play a year with the Harlem Globetrotters before joining the St. Louis Cardinals organization full-time. Gibson is a member of the Hall of Fame's for Creighton Athletics (1968 induction), Missouri Valley Conference (2005) and St. Louis Cardinals (2014), and was honored with a spot on Major League Baseball's All-Century Team in 1999. Gibson was named the best athlete in state history by the Omaha World-Herald in both 2005 and 2015, one spot ahead of Gale Sayers. Tragically, Sayers died nine days before Gibson.
Firing On All Cylinders
Last season Creighton led the BIG EAST with 78.3 points per game, 47.1 percent shooting from the field, 38.6 percent shooting from three-point territory, +8.6 scoring margin, 1.45 assist/turnover ratio and 15.77 assists per game.
It's early, but this year's team leads the BIG EAST in scoring offense (85.3), field goal percentage (.519), free-throw percentage (.833) and scoring margin (+24.3).
In the final KenPom.com ratings, Creighton had the nation's third-best offense.
It was the fourth different time in the last nine seasons that Creighton has had a top-10 offense per KenPom.
Year Off. Rating Def. Rating Team W-L
2010-11 66 174 23-16
2011-12 5 166 29-6
2012-13 5 66 28-8
2013-14 2 124 27-8
2014-15 59 138 14-19
2015-16 43 76 20-15
2016-17 32 46 25-10
2017-18 25 58 21-12
2018-19 47 83 20-15
2019-20 3 78 24-7
What Does #11 Mean?
Creighton was ranked 11th in the preseason Associated Press poll. Below is a listing of how teams ranked 11th in the preseason have done since 1999-2000.
Year School Year-End Rank* NCAA's (Wins)
2019-20: Virginia 16 Tourney Canceled
2018-19: Kansas State 15 Yes (0)
2017-18: West Virginia 14 Yes (2)
2016-17: Indiana NR No (0)
2015-16: Gonzaga 21 Yes (2)
2014-15: Wichita State 14 Yes (2)
2013-14: Ohio State 22 Yes (0)
2012-13: North Carolina NR Yes (1)
2011-12: Memphis NR Yes (0)
2010-11: Kentucky 11 Yes (4)
2009-10: Butler 11 Yes (5)
2008-09: Purdue 17 Yes (2)
2007-08: Marquette 25 Yes (1)
2006-07: Alabama NR No (0)
2005-06: Boston College 7 Yes (2)
2004-05: Duke 3 Yes (2)
2003-04: Kentucky 2 Yes (1)
2002-03: Oregon NR Yes (0)
2001-02: Virginia NR No (0)
2000-01: Florida 8 Yes (1)
1999-00: Kansas NR Yes (1)
*based on final poll before NCAA Tournament
Getting Votes A Good Sign
Creighton was ranked 11th in the Associated Press preseason poll.
It's the sixth time that Creighton has picked up votes in the preseason poll under Greg McDermott. Each of the first four times that happened, the Bluejays would finish top three in the league, reach the finals of the conference tournament, and play in the NCAA Tournament. Last year's team shared the BIG EAST title before the Conference and NCAA Tournaments were canceled.
Preseason Poll Votes Under Greg McDermott
Year Preseason Rank League Finish NCAA's?
2011-12 34th 2nd, MVC Yes
2012-13 16th 1st, MVC Yes
2013-14 27th 2nd, BIG EAST Yes
2016-17 22nd T-3rd, BIG EAST Yes
2019-20 40th T-1st; BIG EAST No Tourney
2020-21 11th TBD TBD
Preseason BIG EAST Poll
Creighton was picked second in the preseason BIG EAST Conference poll that was selected via a vote of league coaches.
Villanova earned 9-of-11 first place votes to top the poll with 99 points, just ahead of Creighton's two first place votes and 91 overall points. Third in the poll was Providence (79), who was just ahead of UConn (69), Seton Hall (67) and Marquette (50).
Rounding out the bottom half of the poll were Xavier (47) in seventh place, Butler (37), St. John's (33), DePaul (20) and Georgetown (13).
Seton Hall edged Villanova by one point to be named league favorites for the first time since 1992-93, as both the Pirates and Wildcats garnered five first place votes.
Xavier was third, with Marquette and Providence tying for fourth place. Georgetown was tabbed sixth, just ahead of Creighton, while Butler, St. John's and DePaul round out the poll.
Creighton's Marcus Zegarowski was tabbed Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year, and was joined on the Preseason All-BIG EAST team by Charlie Moore (DePaul), David Duke (Providence), Sandro Mamukelashvili (Seton Hall), Collin Gillespie (Villanova) and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Villanova).
Creighton has met or exceeded its preseason BIG EAST prognostication every year since joining the league, as seen below:
Creighton's BIG EAST Preseason Poll History
Year Preseason Actual Preseason All-BIG EAST
2013-14 3rd 2nd Doug McDermott (1st)
2014-15 9th T-9th -
2015-16 9th 6th -
2016-17 3rd T-3rd Maurice Watson Jr. (1st); Marcus Foster (HM)
2017-18 5th T-3rd Marcus Foster (1st); Khyri Thomas (HM)
2018-19 9th T-3rd Martin Krampelj (HM)
2019-20 7th T-1st Ty-Shon Alexander (1st)
2020-21 2nd TBD Marcus Zegarowski (1st); Mitch Ballock (2nd)
Long Range Marksman
With 93 three-pointers last season, Mitch Ballock broke the previous program record for three-pointers made by a junior of 82 by Tad Ackerman in 1994-95.
Ballock (along with Ty-Shon Alexander) is one of two Bluejays in school history to make 80 or more three-pointers in consecutive seasons, and one of three Bluejays (along with Alexander and Kyle Korver) with multiple campaigns of 80 or more three-pointers.
Ballock and Korver are also the only Bluejays with multiple seasons of 90 or more three-pointers.
Most 3-Pointers Made In A Season, Creighton History
3FG-FGA 3FG% Name Year
129-269 .480 Kyle Korver* 2002-03
110-234 .471 Ethan Wragge 2013-14
100-221 .452 Kyle Korver 2000-01
96-214 .449 Doug McDermott* 2013-14
97-266 .365 Ty-Shon Alexander 2018-19
95-230 .413 Marcus Foster 2017-18
95-227 .419 Mitch Ballock 2018-19
93-214 .435 Mitch Ballock 2019-20
91-191 .476 Booker Woodfox* 2008-09
*Conference Player of the Year
Most 3-Pointers Made by a Creighton Junior
3FG-FGA 3FG% Name Year
93-214 .435 Mitch Ballock 2019-20
82-210 .390 Tad Ackerman 1994-95
81-203 .399 Ty-Shon Alexander 2019-20
79-184 .429 Kyle Korver 2001-02
78-175 .446 Ethan Wragge 2012-13
77-157 .490 Doug McDermott 2012-13
73-214 .341 Marcus Foster 2016-17
67-194 .345 Ryan Sears 1999-00
67-176 .381 Terrell Taylor 2001-02
67-143 .469 Nate Funk 2004-05
Ballock Well Over 200 Treys
Mitch Ballock owns 237 three-pointers in his Bluejay career. That puts him in fifth place in program history in that category.
His 232 career treys entering the year were third-most in school history after a junior season, trailing only Kyle Korver (242) and Ethan Wragge (234).
Ballock ranked 19th nationally with 93 three-pointers made and 11th in three-point percentage (.435) last season.
Most Career 3FG, Creighton History
Rank 3FG Name Years
1. 371 Kyle Korver 1999-03
2. 334 Ethan Wragge 2009-14
3. 274 Doug McDermott 2010-14
4. 245 Ryan Sears 1997-01
5. 237 Mitch Ballock 2017-Pres.
6. 212 Rodney Buford 1995-99
7. 210 Ty-Shon Alexander 2017-20
8. 206 Jahenns Manigat 2010-14
9. 200 Nate Funk 2002-07
10. 185 Matt Roggenburk 1986-90
Among The Nation's Best
Below is where Creighton ranks nationally since Greg McDermott was hired in 2010, per Basketball-Reference.com.
Kansas also ranks among the national leaders in many of the same categories.
2010-11 through Dec. 5, 2020
Category CU Stat CU Rank KU Rank
3FG Percentage .385 2nd 11th
3FG Made 3,122 2nd 40th
Assists 5,690 3rd 5th
FG Percentage .481 4th 2nd
FG Made 9,561 9th 3rd
Wins 234 30th 2nd
Winning Percentage .669 32nd 2nd
Guess Who's Back? Back Again
Creighton brings back nearly 70-80 percent of last year's statistical contributions in virtually every category:
Category Last Year Returning Pct. Back
Dunks 60 52 86.7%
Assists 489 400 81.8%
Starts 155 124 80.0%
Points Per Game 78.3 62 79.2%
Minutes 6,225 4,687 75.3%
Field Goals Made 866 646 74.6%
Points 2,428 1,768 72.8%
Rebounds 1,004 729 72.6%
Blocked Shots 79 57 72.2%
Steals 203 143 70.4%
3-Point Field Goals Made 302 212 70.2%
Free Throws Made 394 264 67.0%
Charges Taken 39 19 48.7%
#ProJays
Creighton had five NBA players in 2019-20, as Kyle Korver (Milwaukee Bucks), Anthony Tolliver (Memphis Grizzlies), Doug McDermott (Indiana Pacers, Justin Patton (Detroit Pistons) and Khyri Thomas (Detroit Pistons) were all in the league. A sixth potential player, Ty-Shon Alexander, played for Creighton last season and recently signed a two-way deal with the Phoenix Suns.
Including 2019-20, Creighton has now had an NBA player in 36 of the last 37 years.
Korver ranks fourth in NBA history with 2,450 three-pointers and is 10th in league history with 42.87 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. Korver averaged 6.7 points per game last season for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Tolliver played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies last year, averaging 3.6 points in his 12th NBA season. He owns 4,434 career points, including 861 three-pointers, in the NBA.
McDermott completed his sixth season in the NBA, and second with the Indiana Pacers, in 2019-20. He averaged a career-high 10.3 points per game last season and is the only player in the NBA to rank in the top-20 in three-point percentage each of the past three seasons.
Patton is on his fifth organization since being the 16th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He appeared in five games last season with Oklahoma City, and is now with the Los Angeles Clippers organization.
Thomas 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 and has played in 34 career NBA games, contributing 78 points and 21 rebounds.
Who Are These Guys?
Creighton loses just one starter (Ty-Shon Alexander) from last year's team that finished 24-7. CU's 2020-21 roster contains players who made 124 starts a year ago for CU (31 by Mitch Ballock and Christian Bishop, 30 by Marcus Zegarowski, 29 by Damien Jefferson, two by Shereef Mitchell and one by Denzel Mahoney) and a combined 186 career starts as Bluejays.
That doesn't factor in the 64 starts at Southeast Missouri State for Denzel Mahoney, six starts at New Mexico for Damien Jefferson, six starts at Memphis for Antwann Jones, or 14 starts at Duke for Alex O'Connell.
Returning Returning Starts Final
Year Starters From Previous Year W-L
2020-21 4 124 ? ? ?
2019-20 4 136 24-7
2018-19 2 57 20-15
2017-18 2 72 21-12
2016-17 4 130 25-10
2015-16 1 64 20-15
2014-15 1 49 14-19
2013-14 4 144 27-8
2012-13 4 140 28-8
2011-12 3 101 29-6
2010-11 4 123 23-16
2009-10 3 106 18-16
2008-09 3 83 27-8
2007-08 1 44 22-11
2006-07 4 120 22-11
2005-06 4 134 20-10
2004-05 2 58 23-11
2003-04 3 101 20-9
2002-03 5 159 29-5
2001-02 2 65 23-9
2000-01 3 90 24-8
1999-00 3 84 23-10
1998-99 3 84 22-9
1997-98 4 72 18-10
1996-97 4 126 15-15
1995-96 4 100 14-15
1994-95 2 52 7-19
1993-94 3 73 7-22
1992-93 2 64 8-18
1991-92 2 51 9-19
1990-91 4 132 24-8
1989-90 4 127 21-12
1988-89 4 123 20-11
1987-88 3 83 16-16
1986-87 2 65 9-19
1985-86 1 48 12-16
1984-85 4 124 20-12
1983-84 3 72 17-14
1982-83 3 77 8-19
1981-82 2 78 7-20
1980-81 4 112 21-9
Go Big Or Go Home
Creighton owned four regular-season non-conference wins last winter from teams that are in the Big Ten, BIG EAST, Atlantic Coast, Southeastern, Big 12 or Pac-12 Conferences.
It was the third time since CU dropped its independent status in 1977 that the Bluejays have picked up four such wins in the same winter. The 2016-17 club had six such wins, while the 2012-13 squad also had four.
After going 22-12 in such games under Dana Altman from 1994-2010, Creighton is 28-12 under Greg McDermott.
Here's a list of Creighton's yearly regular-season non-conference records in the past 25 seasons against teams from those top leagues:
Year W-L "Major" Conference Victories
1994-95 0-2 -
1995-96 0-1 -
1996-97 1-3 Florida
1997-98 1-1 Nebraska
1998-99 3-1 Iowa, Baylor, Oklahoma State
1999-00 3-0 Iowa, Baylor, Nebraska
2000-01 2-0 Providence, Nebraska
2001-02 1-0 Nebraska
2002-03 2-0 Notre Dame, Nebraska
2003-04 1-0 Nebraska
2004-05 3-0 Missouri, Ohio State, Nebraska
2005-06 1-1 Nebraska
2006-07 0-1 -
2007-08 2-0 DePaul, Nebraska
2008-09 1-1 DePaul
2009-10 1-1 Nebraska
2010-11 0-3 -
2011-12 3-0 Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern
2012-13 4-0 Wisconsin, Arizona State, Nebraska, Cal
2013-14 3-0 Arizona State, Nebraska, Cal
2014-15 2-1 Oklahoma, Nebraska
2015-16 2-3 Rutgers, Nebraska
2016-17 6-0 Wisconsin, Washington St., NC St., Ole Miss, Nebraska, Arizona St.
2017-18 3-1 Northwestern, UCLA, Nebraska
2018-19 1-3 Clemson
2019-20 4-1 Texas Tech, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arizona St.
Full House
Creighton averaged 17,314 fans per home game last season, good for fifth place nationally.
It marked the 15th straight season that CU has been among the nation's top 25 in average home attendance, and the ninth straight season in the top-10.
Creighton has led its conference in average home attendance every year since moving into CHI Health Center Omaha, which is in its 18th season.
2019-20 Average Home Attendance Leaders
Rk. School Average
1. Syracuse 21,704
2. Kentucky 20,160
3. North Carolina 20,103
4. Tennessee 18,990
5. Creighton 17,314
6. Wisconsin 16,912
7. Louisville 16,658
8. Kansas 16,388
9. Memphis 16,312
10. Indiana 16,300
McDermott Ranks Second On CU Wins List
Greg McDermott currently has 234 victories at Creighton, good for second place on CU's all-time wins list.
McDermott's .669 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. 234-116 Greg McDermott 2010-Pres.
3. 165-66 Arthur A. Schabinger 1922-1935
4. 138-118 John J. "Red" McManus 1959-1969
5. 130-64 Tom Apke 1974-1981
Triple Trouble
During Creighton's current streak of 885 straight games with a three-pointer, the Jays have drained 6,963 trifectas, an average of 7.87 treys per game.
That's not surprising since during the streak, Creighton has made exactly 7 three-pointers 135 times, more than any figure.
Only four times in the streak has Creighton made just one three-pointer, but on 246 occasions the Bluejays have made 10 or more trifectas, including three games of 20 or more.
Creighton has also made at least one three-pointer before halftime in 256 consecutive contests (since 0-7 at Drake on 1/23/13).
Since the start of the 2020-21 season, the Bluejays are 25-1 when making eight or more three-pointers, compared to a 2-6 mark when making seven treys or fewer.
Team 3FG Made During Creighton's 3-Point Streak
1: 4 times 2: 15 times 3: 31 times
4: 70 times 5: 95 times 6: 90 times
7: 135 times 8: 114 times 9: 85 times
10: 72 times 11: 51 times 12: 47 times
13: 41 times 14: 16 times 15: 7 times
16: 6 times 17: 2 times 19: 1 time
20: 1 time 21: 1 time 22: 1 time
Release, Rotation, Splash, Repeat
Creighton has made at least one three-pointer in 885 straight games since a 59-53 loss at Illinois State on Feb. 20, 1993. The streak is tied for the nation's 15th-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 (12/6)
Rk. Streak School Next
1. 1,107 UNLV 12/9
2. 1,093 Duke 12/8
3. 1,047 Arkansas 12/8
4. 1,040 Western Kentucky 12/13
5. 1,030 East Tennessee State 12/8
6. 1,016 Pacific 12/12
7. 1,007 Oakland 12/13
8. 1,001 Texas 12/9
9. 958 Princeton Season Canceled
10. 949 Marshall 12/9
11. 935 Baylor 12/8
12. 921 Gonzaga 12/8
13. 908 Long Island 12/8
14. 892 Mount St. Mary's 12/8
15. 885 Creighton 12/8
885 Cornell Season Canceled
17. 876 Tennessee State 12/8
18. 873 East Carolina 12/7
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, CU 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
16 TCU 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
CHI Health Center Omaha Success
Creighton has played 297 regular and postseason contests at CHI Health Center Omaha all-time in the 18-year-old facility.
The Bluejays own a 246-51 (.828) record all-time at the facility, and have never lost there on a Friday (20-0).
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 23,271-19,466 in games at CHI Health Center Omaha, an average margin of 12.81 points per game. Creighton has not trailed 84 different times.
Creighton is also 28-30 all-time in the 58 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 35-25 when trailing at halftime at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Creighton is 149-33 (.819) at CHI Health Center Omaha under Greg McDermott, including an 86-6 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 265-51 (.839) at home since the start of the 2002-03 campaign.
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 (per WarrenNolan.com) in every season since 2000-01, as seen below:
BIG EAST in Conference RPI Rankings
2000-01: 3rd
2001-02: 3rd
2002-03: 5th
2003-04: 4th
2004-05: 2nd
2005-06: 3rd
2006-07: 5th
2007-08: 5th
2008-09: 4th
2009-10: 3rd
2010-11: 1st
2011-12: 2nd
2012-13: 2nd
2013-14: 4th
2014-15: 3rd
2015-16: 4th
2016-17: 3rd
2017-18: 2nd
2018-19 5th
2019-20: 1st
2020-21: 4th
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/ Men's BasketballCreighton Men's Basketball Highlights vs. Kansas State - 12/13/25
Saturday, December 13
Creighton Men's Basketball vs. Kansas State Press Conference - 12/13/25
Thursday, December 11
Creighton Men's Basketball Press Conference vs. Nebraska, 12/7/25
Monday, December 08
Creighton Men's Basketball Media Availability, 12/5/25
Friday, December 05
