By: Rob Anderson Story Links Creighton Notes (PDF) Game #13: Villanova Wildcats (8-4, 1-0) at Creighton Bluejays (7-5, 0-1)Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 • 3:00 p.m. • Omaha, Neb. • CHI Health Center Omaha| LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES | VU NOTES | PROGRAM | Next GameCreighton (7-5, 0-1 BIG […]
Game #13: Villanova Wildcats (8-4, 1-0) at Creighton Bluejays (7-5, 0-1)
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 • 3:00 p.m. • Omaha, Neb. • CHI Health Center Omaha
| LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES | VU NOTES | PROGRAM |
Next Game
Creighton (7-5, 0-1 BIG EAST) plays its first BIG EAST home game of the year on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. Central when it hosts Villanova (8-4, 1-0 BIG EAST).
The game will take place on FNBO Court inside CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb.
A moment of silence will be held prior to the game to honor Howard Hawks, and Olympian Duncan McGuire will be honored at half.
Upcoming Promotions
Consider bringing a toy to donate for this year’s holiday games to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Anyone who donates a toy will receive a custom mini Bluejay stocking, while supplies last.
Radio Broadcast Information
KOZN (1620 AM) and KOOO (101.9 FM) will carry Creighton men’s basketball games during the 2024-25 season. John Bishop and Taylor Stormberg will call the action.
The audio is webcast at 1620thezone.com and can also be heard on SiriusXM channel 384, as well as online at https://sxm.app.link/SXM974.
Television Broadcast Information
Saturday’s game will be televised on FS1 with Connor Onion and Nick Bahe on the call.
The game will also be video webcast online at http://foxsports.com/live.
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.
Stats to all home games can also be followed at www.gocreightonstats.com.
Scouting Creighton
Creighton is 7-5 this year against a challenging schedule that includes three Top 25 opponents, in addition to San Diego State, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Georgetown. CU’s top performance was a 76-63 win over then-No. 1 Kansas on Dec. 4th.
Senior Ryan Kalkbrenner (16.7 ppg., 7.9 rpg., 2.5 bpg., .703 FG%) was named Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year and has been named a Preseason First Team All-American by CBS Sports, Fox Sports and Field of 68. In addition to being one of the most efficient shooters in NCAA history, Kalkbrenner is also a three-time BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year. He was named BIG EAST and National Player of the Week on Nov. 11.
Senior Steven Ashworth (16.7 ppg., 6.0 apg.) is back to run the point guard spot, and is joined on the wing by Jamiya Neal (10.3 ppg., 6.1 rpg., 4.5 apg.). Also coming on strong is freshman Jackson McAndrew (8.6 ppg., 4.2 rpg.).
Texas Tech transfer Pop Isaacs (16.3 ppg., 4.8 rpg.) had 27 points in the win vs. Kansas, but he will miss the rest of the season following hip surgery.
Creighton averages 76.0 points per game and shoots 46.4 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from three-point range and 77.3 percent at the line while outrebounding foes by 2.6 caroms per contest.
Scouting Villanova
After a rough start that included losses to Columbia, Saint Joseph’s, Virginia and Maryland, Villanova has won five straight games to improve to 8-4 overall. The Wildcats opened BIG EAST play on Tuesday with a 79-67 victory over Seton Hall.
Senior center Eric Dixon has scored 16 points or more in every game and leads the nation in scoring with 25.7 points per game. The big man leads the team with 35 three-pointers and ranks 12th nationally with his 49.3 percent marksmanship from downtown.
Wooga Poplar (12.7 ppg., 6.3 rpg.) and Jhamir Brickus (11.2 ppg.) also score in double-figures.
The Wildcats average 79.1 points per contest and allow just 66.4 per game. VU shoots 48.9 percent from the field, 40.6 percent from three-point range and 80.1 percent at the line, and also is +7.2 rebounds per game.
The Series With Villanova
Villanova leads the all-time series with Creighton, 19-9, including a 6-5 mark in Omaha.
Seven of the last 11 meetings at all sites have been decided by double-figures, but last year the road team won each meeting by exactly two points.
Greg McDermott is 9-15 against Villanova and 3-2 against Kyle Neptune.
The Creighton Coaches
Greg McDermott (Northern Iowa, 1988) owns a 332-165 record in his 15th season with the Bluejays, as he passed Dana Altman (327-176) as the winningest coach in program history on Nov. 13, 2024. He owns a career mark of 612-360 in his 31st season, and is 481-296 in his 24th Division I campaign.
McDermott led Creighton to its first BIG EAST regular-season title in 2019-20, taking a Bluejay team that was picked seventh in the league’s preseason poll and ending the year ranked seventh nationally. The Cascade, Iowa native has coached Creighton to a share of its first regular-season BIG EAST title in 2019-20 its first Sweet 16 since 1974 in 2020-21 and its first Elite Eight since 1941 in 2022-23.
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 Ryan Miller, Derek Kellogg and Trey Zeigler.
With A Win…
– Creighton would improve to 6-6 all-time at home against Villanova, and 4-1 in the past five Omaha meetings.
– Creighton would improve to 1-1 in the BIG EAST, avoiding its second 0-2 start in league play in the last 10 seasons.
– Creighton would improve to 21-2 since 2002 in the contest following a loss by 20 points or more.
– Creighton would pick up its 10th win vs. Villanova since the start of the 2013-14 season, tied for the most nationally with Marquette.
Milestone Watch
– Ryan Kalkbrenner (1,955) is 29 points shy of passing Chad Gallagher (1,983) for fourth-most points in Creighton history.
– Ryan Kalkbrenner has 1,955 points and 930 rebounds in his career as he approaches 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
– Ryan Kalkbrenner owns 196 career blocks in BIG EAST play, putting him four away from 200.
– Ryan Kalkbrenner owns 492 career rebounds in BIG EAST play, putting him eight short of 500.
– Jamiya Neal is 12 points from 700 and 12 rebounds shy of 400 in his career.
– Steven Ashworth has made multiple three-pointers in 14 straight games, and at least one three-pointer in 30 consecutive contests.
It’s World Basketball Day
In 2023, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming December 21 as “World Basketball Day.”
It was on that date in 1891 that basketball was played for the first time at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, after Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, developed the game to keep his students active during the winter months.
Bouncing Back
Creighton doesn’t lose many games by 20 or more points, as it did on Wednesday at Georgetown in its last game.
Since Jan. 1, 2002, Creighton has answered with a victory in its next game 20 of the last 22 times it has happened.
Creighton’s Losses by 20+ Points Since 2002
Date Loss by 20+ Points Next Game Result
02/28/04 Missouri State 70, CU 46 03/01/04 CU 75, Wichita State 61
02/16/08 Bradley 87, CU 59 02/19/08 CU 88, Missouri State 67
03/21/08 Florida 82, CU 54 11/16/08 CU 82, New Mexico 75
01/03/09 Illinois State 86, CU 64 01/06/09 Northern Iowa 69, CU 66
03/07/09 Illinois State 73, CU 49 03/18/09 CU 73, Bowling Green 71
02/11/12 Wichita State 89, #17 CU 68 02/14/12 CU 88, Southern Illinois 69
03/23/14 #23 Baylor 85, #16 CU 55 11/14/14 CU 104, Central Arkansas 77
01/25/15 #4 Villanova 71, CU 50 01/28/15 CU 77, St. John’s 74
01/31/15 #21 Georgetown 67, CU 40 02/04/15 CU 79, Xavier 72 (OT)
11/19/15 #14 Indiana 86, CU 65 11/23/15 CU 85, Rutgers 75
02/03/16 #3 Villanova 83, CU 58 02/06/16 CU 88, DePaul 66
01/25/17 Georgetown 71, #16 CU 51 01/28/17 #16 CU 83, DePaul 66
01/13/18 #10 Xavier 92, #25 CU 70 01/17/18 CU 80, #19 Seton Hall 63
02/01/18 #1 Villanova 98, CU 78 02/07/18 CU 76, DePaul 75
02/20/18 Butler 93, CU 70 02/24/18 CU 89, #3 Villanova 83 (OT)
11/28/19 San Diego State 83, CU 52 11/29/19 CU 83, #12 Texas Tech 76 (OT)
03/01/20 St. John’s 91, #10 CU 71 03/04/20 #11 CU 91, Georgetown 76
03/13/21 Georgetown 73, CU 48 03/20/21 #19 CU 63, UC Santa Barbara 62
01/05/22 #19 Villanova 75, CU 41 01/15/22 #17 Xavier 80, CU 73
02/26/22 #11 Providence 72, CU 51 03/02/22 CU 64, #18 UConn 62
03/10/23 #15 Xavier 82, #24 CU 60 03/17/23 CU 72, NC State 63
11/23/23 Colorado St. 69, #8 CU 48 11/30/23 #15 CU 79, Oklahoma State 65
12/18/24 Georgetown 81, CU 57 12/21/24 Saturday vs. Villanova
Last Shot Wins?
Creighton and Villanova traded gut punches last season, as both visiting teams won on a shot in the final 30 seconds.
In the first meeting last December, Creighton led by as much as 14 but scored just six points in the final 10:45 of regulation. In overtime, Eric Dixon made a three-pointer with 28.3 seconds left to help Nova to a 68-66 win as Creighton missed on three chances in the final seconds to tie or take the lead.
The second meeting on March 9 to end the regular-season was just as unique. Creighton made eight three-pointers in the first eight minutes and raced to a 32-8 lead to stun the Wells Fargo Center crowd, but Villanova fought all the way back to tie the score on three free throws by Dixon with 23.6 seconds left. Creighton guard Trey Alexander then won it as he floated across the lane to hit a fadeaway jumper with 0.2 left for the win.
Villanova In December, Again?
Saturday marks the third time in Villanova’s last four visits to Creighton that the teams will play a game in December. By comparison, CU has hosted the other nine BIG EAST teams in December just twice in the past four seasons (Butler and DePaul, both in 2022).
This is also the seventh straight season that the first Villanova/Creighton meeting will take place in Omaha.
Dixon Doing It All
Eric Dixon leads the nation with 25.7 points per game, a scary sight considering his history against Creighton.
Dixon has scored 156 points in eight all-time meetings against the Bluejays, good for 19.5 points per game. That’s his most points and highest scoring average against any other BIG EAST foe.
Creighton is the only team that Dixon has ever scored 20 points against more than three straight meetings. He has made 21-of-43 three-pointers (.488) in his career against CU, 10 more makes than what he’s done against any other school.
Dixon has scored 20 points or more in each of his last five meetings against Creighton, the longest streak by any Bluejay opponent since Evansville’s Colt Ryan also did it in five straight meetings from 2010-12.
The only other BIG EAST player in the last 20 seasons to score 20 points or more in six straight meetings against the same league opponent was Marquette’s Markus Howard, who did it in seven straight meetings vs. Villanova and six in a row against Seton Hall.
Dixon enters Saturday having scored in double-figures in 27 games in a row, the nation’s sixth-longest active streak and one behind Marquette’s Kam Jones for the longest in the league.
Repeat After Three
Few teams in the country have made as many three-pointers in the last 12 seasons as the teams featured in Saturday’s match-up. Since Creighton joined the BIG EAST in 2013, Villanova leads the nation in that category with 3,762 trifectas, while Creighton is fourth with 3,563.
Creighton is 1-15 all-time when making eight three-pointers or less against Villanova (including three meetings in the 1950’s long before the 3-point line existed), but 8-4 when making nine or more trifectas. CU has hit 106-of-236 treys (44.9%) in the nine wins, but 104-of-386 triples (26.7%) in the 19 losses.
Villanova has made nine or more three-pointers against Creighton in 15-of-25 meetings as BIG EAST rivals.
Per BartTorvik.com, Villanova ranks 46th nationally with 46.4 percent of its shot attempts coming from three-point range, while Creighton is sixth at 51.7 percent.
Creighton is 27-2 in its last 29 games (against all teams) when attempting 15 or fewer three-pointers, though its season-low this year is 20 trifecta tries (vs. UNLV).
Since Greg McDermott was hired in 2010, Creighton has made 4,437 three-pointers in 497 games, good for second-most nationally behind Belmont (4,528). Villanova is third on that list with 4,372 treys.
Most 3FG Made Since 2010-11 (thru 12/18/24)
Rk. Team 3FG Games
1. Villanova 4,528 472
2. Creighton 4,437 497
3. Villanova 4,372 495
4. North Florida 4,354 461
5. VMI 4,303 448
Most 3FG Made Since 2013-14 (thru 12/18/24)
Rk. Team 3FG Games
1. Villanova 3,762 396
2. North Florida 3,700 363
3. Belmont 3,613 369
4. Creighton 3,563 387
5. Fort Wayne 3,478 369
Something About Creighton
Since the start of the 2013-14 season, Villanova has suffered only 90 losses, with just 15 of those coming by 15 points or more.
Five of those lopsided setbacks have come against Creighton, while 10 other teams have done it once each.
Villanova’s Largest Margins of Defeat Since 2013-14
Margin Score Date
28 Creighton 96, Villanova 68 1/20/14
27 Michigan 73, Villanova 46 11/14/18
26 Purdue 87, Villanova 61 3/23/19
25 Ohio State 76, Villanova 51 11/13/19
24 Connecticut 78, Villanova 54 2/24/24
23 Oklahoma 78, Villanova 55 12/7/15
21 Creighton 101, Villanova 80 2/16/14
21 Baylor 57, Villanova 36 12/12/21
20 Georgetown 78, Villanova 58 1/19/15
20 Creighton 79, Villanova 59 12/17/21
20 St. John’s 70, Villanova 50 1/24/24
16 Creighton 86, Villanova 70 2/13/21
16 Syracuse 78, Villanova 62 12/28/13
16 Kansas 81, Villanova 65 4/2/22
15 Creighton 76, Villanova 61 2/1/20
The Cats Meow
Villanova has the third-best win percentage in the country since the start of the 2013-14 season, which coincides with the realignment of the BIG EAST. Villanova is 306-90 (.773), just behind a Gonzaga program that is 350-53 (.868) and Kansas 315-86 (.786).
Of the 97 different schools to play Villanova in that time, only 36 have actually beaten the Wildcats.
Creighton is one of 15 schools to post multiple victories over the Wildcats in that time. Creighton’s nine victories over Villanova are the second-most by any Wildcat opponent in that span, one behind Marquette and two more than Butler.
The Race To 79
Creighton has scored 76 or more points in all seven of its victories this season, and 79 points or more in five of those wins.
Creighton is 6-0 all-time when scoring 79 points or more against the Wildcats, compared to a 3-19 record when scoring 78 points or fewer.
Creighton has averaged 83.22 points in nine all-time wins over Villanova, but just 61.42 in 19 losses against the Wildcats.
Villanova has surrendered 66.4 points per game this season.
Automatic Ashworth
Steven Ashworth set a Creighton single-game record on Nov. 6 vs. UTRGV when he was a perfect 17-for-17 at the free throw line. It’s the most attempts without a miss in a game in CU history.
The last previous power conference player to make 17+ free throws without a miss was Tennessee’s Grant Williams vs. Vanderbilt on Jan. 23, 2019, who was 23-for-23.
The 17 makes at the line were an arena record (two others had made 15), and tied for second-most in a game in CU history behind only Bob Portman’s 19 vs. UW-Milwaukee on Dec. 16, 1967.
Ashworth’s 17 attempts are 10th-most in CU history, and the most by a Bluejay since Nate Funk shot 18 in a double-overtime win vs. Dayton on Nov. 26, 2005.
Ashworth’s streak of 41 consecutive made free throws was snapped on Nov. 27th vs. Texas A&M, four shy of the record set by Doug McDermott in 2013-14. Ashworth shook off that rare miss and has since made 22 free throws in a row.
Most Consecutive Free Throws Made Since 1980
FT Name Dates of Streak
45 Doug McDermott Dec. 1, 2013-Jan. 4, 2014
41 Steven Ashworth March 2 – Nov. 22, 2024
36 Booker Woodfox Dec. 6, 2008-Jan. 6, 2009
35 Bob Portman 1967-68
32 Michael Lindeman Jan. 23-Nov. 29, 2003
31 Baylor Scheierman Feb. 17-March 29, 2024
28 Kyle Korver Jan. 27-March 15, 2001
28 Doug McDermott March 10-Nov. 8, 2013
27 Matt West Nov. 27, 1999-Jan. 15, 2000
27 Kyle Korver Jan. 29-Nov. 20, 2000
27 Nate Funk Dec. 30, 2006-Jan. 12, 2007
Steven’s Streaks And speaking of streaks owned by Steven Ashworth, the senior has buried a three-pointer in 30 games in a row. That’s the longest active streak in the BIG EAST, and fourth-longest in program history. The longest streak in CU history, Baylor Scheierman’s 48 in a row at Creighton (plus 10 more at South Dakota State), was snapped last December by Villanova.
He’s also made multiple three-pointers in 14 straight games, Creighton’s longest such streak since Baylor Scheierman’s streak of 15 games in a row from Nov. 7, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023.
Nation’s Longest Active Streaks With A 3FG (12/18)
Streak Name, School Next Game
43 Kaden Metheny, Liberty Dec. 21
38 Terence Harcum, Murray State Dec. 22
36 John Poulakidas, Yale Dec. 20
34 Walter Clayton Jr., Florida Dec. 21
31 Kino Lilly Jr., Brown Dec. 22
31 Tariq Francis, NJIT Dec. 29
30 Steven Ashworth, Creighton Dec. 21
28 Jalen Terry, Eastern Michigan Dec. 21
28 Jason Edwards, Vanderbilt Dec. 21
Consecutive Games With A 3-Pointer, Creighton History
Streak Name Dates of Streak
48 Baylor Scheierman Nov. 7, 2022 – Dec. 16, 2023
33 Ty-Shon Alexander Feb. 27, 2018-March 6, 2019
31 Booker Woodfox Nov. 25, 2008-March 23, 2009
30 Steven Ashworth Jan. 13, 2024 – Present
28 Kyle Korver Feb. 4, 2001-Feb. 6, 2002
27 Kyle Korver Feb. 13, 2002-Jan. 20, 2003
Consecutive Games With A Multiple 3-Pointers, Nationally (Through 12/19)
Streak Name, School Next Game
22 Alex Huibregtse, Wright State Dec. 21
21 Kino Lilly Jr., Brown Dec. 22
18 Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M Dec. 20
14 Steven Ashworth, Creighton Dec. 21
14 Reyne Smith, Louisville Dec. 21
13 Trent McLaughlin, Northern Arizona Dec. 21
Consecutive Games With Multiple 3-Pointers
BIG EAST Players Since 2005-06
Streak Name, School Streak
25 Frank Young, WVU Nov. 18, 2006 – Feb. 20, 2007
16 Ethan Wragge, CU Nov. 28, 2013 – Jan. 25, 2014
16 Taquan Dean, LOU Jan. 25-March 28, 2006
16 Steve Novak, MU Nov. 25, 2005 – Jan. 20, 2006
15 Baylor Scheierman, CU Nov. 7, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023
15 Myles Powell, SHU Jan. 30 – Nov. 2019
14 Steven Ashworth, CU March 21, 2024-Present
Conference Openers Have Gone Well
Creighton owns a 17-10 record in its last 27 conference openers after Wednesday’s setback at Georgetown.
Greg McDermott is 12-12 all-time in conference openers as a Division I head coach, including an 8-7 mark at Creighton (6-6 in the BIG EAST).
One positive sign? Each of Creighton’s previous three teams to lose its BIG EAST opener would go on to reach the Sweet 16.
Yearly League Openers Under Greg McDermott
Year Won (Final W-L) Lost (Final W-L)
2010-11 Illinois St. (10-8)
2011-12 Missouri St. (14-4)
2012-13 Evansville (13-5)
2013-14 Marquette (14-4)
2014-15 Providence (4-14)
2015-16 St. John’s (9-9)
2016-17 Seton Hall (10-8)
2017-18 Seton Hall (10-8)
2018-19 Providence (9-9)
2019-20 Marquette (13-5)
2020-21 Marquette (14-6)
2021-22 Villanova (12-7)
2022-23 Marquette (14-6)
2023-24 Villanova (14-6)
2024-25 Georgetown (0-1 so far)
Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Creighton’s first 11 years in the BIG EAST have featured 25 games against Villanova decided by an average of 13.60 points.
Only the games vs. DePaul, Georgetown and Butler have been more lopsided.
Avg. Margin CU W-L Opponent
7.11 7-2 Connecticut
7.13 12-11 Marquette
8.31 13-13 Xavier
9.73 11-15 Providence
10.78 13-10 Seton Hall
13.50 16-6 St. John’s
13.60 9-16 Villanova
13.74 14-9 Butler
15.00 14-11 Georgetown
17.29 22-1 DePaul
Kalkbrenner Chases BIG EAST Legends
Ryan Kalkbrenner owns the career record for field goal percentage in BIG EAST play (min. 5 FG/game) among multi-year players at 64.0 percent.
Kalkbrenner owns 196 career blocks in BIG EAST play, good for seventh in league history.
Kalkbrenner also became the 49th player in league history to score 1,000 career points in BIG EAST play on Wednesday and now owns 1,003.
Kalkbrenner also owns 492 career rebounds in BIG EAST play, which is 24th-most in league history.
With eight more rebounds, he’ll become the 11th man with 1,000+ points and 500+ rebounds in BIG EAST action over a career.
And with eight more rebounds and four more blocks, he’ll become the only man in history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 blocked shots in BIG EAST play during a career.
Best Career FG% in BIG EAST Play (min. 5 FG/game)
Pct. FG-FGA Name, School
.640 396-619 Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
.608 377-620 Patrick Ewing, Georgetown
.593 270-455 Emeka Okafor, UConn
.575 337-586 Otis Thorpe, Providence
.571 182-319 Chris Taft, Pittsburgh
Most Career Blocks in BIG EAST Play
Rk. Blocks Name, School
1. 247 Patrick Ewing, Georgetown
2. 243 Hasheem Thabeet, UConn
3. 232 Etan Thomas, Syracuse
4. 224 Alonzo Mourning, Georgetown
5. 216 Jason Lawson, Villanova
6. 207 Emeka Okafor, UConn
7. 196 Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
8. 184 Dikembe Mutombo, Georgetown
1,000 Career Points & 500 Rebounds in BIG EAST Play
PTS REB Name, School
1,329 662 Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
1,177 561 Bill Curley, Boston College
1,173 534 Ryan Gomes, Providence
1,170 582 John Wallace, Syracuse
1,152 580 Zendon Hamilton, St. John’s
1,148 609 Danya Abrams, Boston College
1,071 563 LaDontae Henton, Providence
1,062 545 Tim James, Miami (Fla.)
1,047 502 Charles Smith, Pittsburgh
1,033 701 Derrick Coleman, Syracuse
Kalkbrenner A Top Defender
Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year in 2023-24 for the third straight season.
Kalkbrenner is just the third player in league history to win the recognition three times or more, joining Georgetown greats Patrick Ewing (4x) and Alonzo Mourning (3x).
Between Kalkbrenner and 2017 & 2018 winner Khyri Thomas, Creighton has now had a BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year in five of the previous eight seasons.
Most BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Honors
Honors Name, School Years (*ties)
4 Patrick Ewing, Georgetown 1982, 83, 84, 85
3 Alonzo Mourning, Georgetown 1989, 90*, 92
3 Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton 2022, 23, ’24
2 Dikembe Mutombo, Georgetown 1990*, 91
2 Allen Iverson, Georgetown 1995, 96
2 Etan Thomas, Syracuse 1999, 00
2 John Linehan, Providence 2001, 02
2 Emeka Okafor, Connecticut 2003, 04
2 Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut 2008, 09
2 Kris Dunn, Providence 2015*, 16
2 Khyri Thomas, Creighton 2017*, 18
Action Jackson
Freshman Jackson McAndrew tied his season-high with 16 points in just 19 minutes at No. 7 Alabama last Saturday night, the latest sign of his emergence.
Since 2004-05, McAndrew is Creighton’s third true freshman to score 16+ points in 19 minutes or less in a game, joining Ethan Wragge (twice in 2009-10) and Khyri Thomas (2015-16).
In three games against Top 25 competition this winter, McAndrew is averaging 11.7 points per game and the Wayzata, Minn., product has made 9-of-21 three-pointers (.429).
McAndrew is one of four Creighton freshmen with multiple games of 16+ points against Top 25 teams since Greg McDermott was hired in 2010, joining Ryan Nembhard (3 in 2021-22), Mitch Ballock (2 in 2017-18) and Arthur Kaluma (2 in 2021-22).
McDermott Among The Best
Greg McDermott enters Friday tied for eighth in BIG EAST history with 123 regular-season league wins.
McDermott, along with Ed Cooley and Rick Pitino, are the only three active coaches with 100 regular-season BIG EAST wins. The list contains six different coaches who have won at least one national title.
McDermott has been at his current job (15 seasons) longer than any active BIG EAST coach, but since his first three years were as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, Cooley’s 14 years in the BIG EAST lead all active league coaches.
Most League Wins, BIG EAST MBB Coaches
Rk. Wins Name, School
1. 366 Jim Boeheim, Syracuse
2. 274 Jim Calhoun, UConn
3. 244 Jay Wright, Villanova
4. 198 John Thompson Sr., Georgetown
5. 136 Mike Brey, Notre Dame
6. 131 John Thompson III, Georgetown
7. 127 Lou Carnesecca, St. John’s
8. 123 Greg McDermott, Creighton
123 Rick Pitino, Prov./Louisville/SJU
10. 122 Ed Cooley, Providence/G’Town
11. 115 Jamie Dixon, Pittsburgh
Isaacs To Miss Remainder Of Season
Junior guard Pop Isaacs will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season as the Las Vegas native underwent hip surgery on Dec. 11th.
Isaacs ranked second on the team with 16.3 points per game in eight appearances, including a season-high 27 points in CU’s victory over No. 1 Kansas on Dec. 4 in his final game, which helped him earn BIG EAST Player of the Week honors.
Combo #6
The season is just 12 games old, but Creighton has already used six different starting line-up combinations thanks to a variety of injuries and other circumstances.
That’s quite different than how Greg McDermott has typically run his program, when he finds a starting line-up and sticks with it.
In McDermott’s 15 years patrolling the Bluejay sideline, this year’s six different line-ups are the most he’s used in a season’s first 12 games, and tied for second-most he’s used over the course of an entire campaign.
Different Starting Lineups Under Greg McDermott
Year First 12 Games Entire Season
2010-11 2 5
2011-12 1 1
2012-13 1 1
2013-14 2 3
2014-15 5 10
2015-16 1 6
2016-17 1 4
2017-18 3 5
2018-19 2 5
2019-20 2 3
2020-21 3 3
2021-22 1 4
2022-23 2 2
2023-24 2 2
2024-25 6 6 so far
A Good Start
Here’s a look at how Creighton has done statistically after 12 games in recent seasons.
Of note, Creighton has started 6-6 or better after 12 games in 27 of the past 28 seasons (including 2024-25).
Creighton Stats Through 12 Games, Since 1994-95
Year W-L PPG FG% 3FG 10+ PPG guys
2024-25 7-5 76.0 .464 119 4
2023-24 9-3 83.0 .498 132 3
2022-23 6-6 76.3 .458 105 5
2021-22 9-3 72.5 .488 76 4
2020-21 10-2 83.2 .496 130 5
2019-20 10-2 77.9 .467 117 4
2018-19 8-4 84.8 .518 146 4
2017-18 10-2 92.3 .521 134 3
2016-17 12-0 89.8 .538 120 4
2015-16 8-4 86.2 .497 109 4
2014-15 9-3 73.3 .441 106 2
2013-14 10-2 82.9 .492 136 2
2012-13 11-1 78.9 .509 107 2
2011-12 10-2 84.3 .506 111 2
2010-11 8-4 67.3 .426 85 3
2009-10 5-7 70.8 .447 98 1
2008-09 10-2 76.9 .445 106 3
2007-08 9-3 77.4 .468 100 2
2006-07 8-4 68.0 .433 69 2
2005-06 8-4 69.4 .414 86 3
2004-05 9-3 68.7 .434 93 2
2003-04 12-0 71.2 .467 75 1
2002-03 11-1 83.8 .520 116 1
2001-02 7-5 76.2 .451 71 3
2000-01 10-2 75.8 .446 95 4
1999-00 9-3 73.3 .459 96 2
1998-99 10-2 76.2 .466 90 2
1997-98 8-4 77.4 .473 88 2
1996-97 5-7 65.4 .407 66 2
1995-96 6-6 65.8 .389 69 2
1994-95 5-7 65.0 .396 81 4
A Dozen Will Do
Creighton has owned a .500 mark or better in league play 28 times in the previous 29 seasons, one of seven schools nationally that can say that.
The only BIG EAST teams to finish .500 or better in league play each of the previous nine seasons are Creighton, Villanova and Seton Hall.
Among the other “Power 5” Conference schools, only Virginia (7 straight years) also has an active streak of five years or longer with 12 or more league wins.
Most Seasons .500 or Better League Record
Previous 29 Seasons
Seasons Team
29 Duke
29 Kansas
29 Gonzaga
28 Kentucky
28 Michigan State
28 Creighton
28 Murray State
Consecutive Seasons .500 or Better League Record
Power 5 Schools
Seasons Team
35 Kansas
29 Duke
13 Virginia
13 Oregon
12 Villanova
9 Creighton
9 Houston
9 Seton Hall
9 Florida
Consecutive Seasons 12+ League Wins
Power 5 Schools
Seasons Team
7 Virginia
5 Creighton
Preseason BIG EAST Poll
The Creighton men’s basketball team has been picked to finish second in the BIG EAST Conference in the annual survey of league coaches, which was unveiled as part of BIG EAST Media Day.
It marks the second straight year CU has been picked second, and fourth time in the past five seasons the Bluejays have been tabbed for a top-two finish. CU’s 2020-21 squad and 2023-24 teams were also both picked second, and eventually finished in second place, while the 2022-23 squad that eventually reached the Elite Eight was picked first and finished in third place.
Connecticut, the defending BIG EAST regular season and tournament champion and the reigning national champion, was chosen to finish first in the poll. The Huskies received all possible 10 first-place votes and 100 points from the league’s head coaches who were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
Creighton will be led by Ryan Kalkbrenner, who is a Preseason First Team All-BIG EAST selection for the third time and also earned his first Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year accolade. Kalkbrenner remains the only player in program history to earn Preseason First Team All-BIG EAST honors multiple times. The only other Bluejays to be named Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year have been Doug McDermott (2013-14) and Marcus Zegarowski (2020-21).
Joining Kalkbrenner with Preseason First Team All-BIG EAST acclaim was Connecticut’s Alex Karaban, Marquette’s Kam Jones, Providence’s Bryce Hopkins, St. John’s Kadary Richmond and Villanova’s Eric Dixon.
Creighton has matched or exceeded its preseason projection in all but one season since joining the BIG EAST in 2013-14, the best showing in the league in that time. The Bluejays are seeking a ninth straight finish in the top four of the league standings. CU’s team three years ago was predicted to finish eighth in the BIG EAST, then ended up in fourth. Five years ago, a team picked seventh in the BIG EAST’s preseason poll went 13-5 in league play to share its first league title with Villanova and Seton Hall. That Bluejay team ended the year ranked seventh in the entire nation.
Creighton’s BIG EAST Preseason Poll History
Year Preseason Actual Preseason All-BIG EAST
2013-14 3rd 2nd Doug McDermott (POY, 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 2nd Marcus Zegarowski (POY, 1st); Mitch Ballock (2nd)
2021-22 8th 4th –
2022-23 1st 3rd Ryan Kalkbrenner (1st); Arthur Kaluma (2nd)
Ryan Nembhard (2nd); Baylor Scheierman (HM)
2023-24 2nd ?? Ryan Kalkbrenner (1st); Trey Alexander (1st)
Baylor Scheierman (2nd)
2024-25 2nd ?? Ryan Kalkbrenner (POY, 1st); Steven Ashworth (3rd)
Top 10 Wins Under McDermott
Creighton went 14,588 days from Feb. 10, 1974 to Jan. 19, 2014 without a win over a Top 10 team.
Since Jan. 20, 2014, it has 15 such wins, including at least one Top 10 win in each of the last 10 seasons.
Here’s a list of all 20 Top 10 wins in program history.
Creighton’s Top 10 Wins All-Time
Date Opponent Score Head Coach
12/13/63 #4 Arizona State W 84-83 McManus
12/01/65 #10 Kansas State W 83-75 McManus
01/29/70 #5 New Mexico State W 72-68 Sutton
02/17/73 #7 Houston W 78-77 Sutton
02/09/74 at #6 Marquette W 75-69 Sutton
01/20/14 at #4 Villanova W 96-68 McDermott
02/16/14 #6 Villanova W 101-80 McDermott
02/09/16 #5 Xavier W 70-56 McDermott
11/15/16 #9 Wisconsin W 79-67 McDermott
02/24/18 #3 Villanova W 89-83 (OT) McDermott
03/03/19 at #10 Marquette W 66-60 McDermott
02/01/20 at #8 Villanova W 76-61 McDermott
02/12/20 at #10 Seton Hall W 87-82 McDermott
03/07/20 #8 Seton Hall W 77-60 McDermott
02/13/21 #5 Villanova W 86-70 McDermott
12/17/21 #9 Villanova W 79-59 McDermott
11/22/22 vs. #9 Arkansas W 90-87 McDermott
02/20/24 #1 Connecticut W 85-66 McDermott
03/02/24 #5 Marquette W 89-75 McDermott
12/04/24 #1 Kansas W 76-63 McDermott
Neal’s Near Triple-Double
Jamiya Neal nearly had Creighton’s second points/rebounds/assists triple-double in program history on Dec. 7th vs. UNLV when he turned in 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists (along with a career-high four blocked shots).
Neal’s nine assists were a career-high and led directly to 22 points.
Creighton’s only points/rebounds/assists triple-double in program history came on Feb. 13, 2024 when Baylor Scheierman had a 15/11/11 line in a win over Georgetown.
Nationally since 2005-06, the only other players with at least 19 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and four blocks in a regulation game have been Tulane’s Kevin Cross (20/10/11/4 vs. Southern on Dec. 16, 2023), Missouri State’s Gaige Prim (26/9/9/4 vs. Northwestern State on Dec .19, 2020) and Penn’s AJ Brodeur (21/10/10/4 vs. Columbia on March 7, 2020).
Traudt Reeling Them In
Isaac Traudt made 5-of-7 three-point shots in CU’s Dec. 7th victory over UNLV as he poured in 15 points and grabbed five rebounds in a career-high 27 minutes off the bench.
Traudt is a career 39.4 percent three-point shooter, a number that climbs to 46.3 percent (31/67) at home.
Since his arrival on The Hilltop, when Traudt plays Creighton is 16-3 when he scores and 14-10 when he’s scoreless.
Reserves Get It Done
Creighton’s bench combined for a season-high 33 points in its Dec. 7th win vs. UNLV, making 13-of-20 shots overall and 7-of-9 three-pointers.
The 33 bench points were CU’s most since scoring 47 on Dec. 9, 2023 vs. Central Michigan.
Creighton has now won 41 straight games when scoring 17 bench points or more.
Did You Know?
Ryan Kalkbrenner had 17 points and 10 rebounds vs. No. 1 Kansas on Dec. 4th, making him Creighton’s first player ever with a double-double against a top-ranked team.
Kalkbrenner’s 10 rebounds also tied the most ever by a Bluejay against a No.1 squad, as George Morrow also had 10 boards vs. DePaul on Jan. 28, 1980.
Pop Isaacs’ 27 points tied a program-record for the most by any Bluejay against a top-ranked team, something Ty-Shon Alexander also did vs. Gonzaga on Dec. 1, 2018. Isaacs is also the first player since Marquette’s Dwyane Wade (vs. Kentucky in 2003) with at least 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists in a win over the No. 1 ranked team.
Something Special
Per OptaStats, Creighton became the first team to beat two different AP No. 1 teams by double digits in the same calendar year since Oklahoma did it in back-to-back games in February 1990 (beat Missouri & Kansas). In addition to the 76-63 win over Kansas on Dec. 4, CU also topped UConn 85-66 on Feb. 20th.
Per ESPN, the Dec. 4 loss to Creighton was the third-largest margin in 105 all-time losses by a top-ranked Kansas team to an unranked foe, and the most since losing by 16 in 2011 to Kansas State.
At the time, the only other unranked team in the last five seasons (2020-21 to 2024-25) to beat the No. 1 team by 13+ points was Nebraska vs. Purdue on Jan. 9, 2024.
Elias Sports Bureau has confirmed that Creighton is the nation’s third team in the last 20 seasons to beat a top-ranked program with a +13 advantage in both scoring and rebounding, joining No. 5 Kentucky vs. #1 Tennessee on Feb. 16, 2019 as well as No. 3 Baylor over No. 1 Gonzaga in the 2021 national title game.
Creighton became just the fourth unranked BIG EAST school to beat the AP’s No. 1 team by double-digits, joining Louisville over Syracuse (78-68 on March 10, 2006), UConn over Texas (88-74 on Jan. 23, 2010) and Villanova over Syracuse (93-74 on Jan. 6, 1990), which means CU is the second to do so in a regular-season non-conference game.
Down Goes #1
Creighton is one of just eight teams in the last 15 seasons to defeat a No. 1 team in the country in back-to-back seasons. Here’s a list at the others to have done it:
Creighton 2023-24 (UConn) and 2024-25 (Kansas)
Northwestern 2022-23 (Purdue) and 2023-24 (Purdue)
Rutgers 2021-22 (Purdue) and 2022-23 (Purdue)
Kentucky 2018-19 (Tennessee) and 2019-20 (Michigan State)
Butler 2016-17 (Villanova) and 2017-18 (Villanova)
UCLA 2015-16 (Kentucky) and 2016-17 (Kentucky)
West Virginia 2015-16 (Kansas) and 2016-17 (Baylor)
Indiana 2011-12 (Kentucky) and 2012-13 (Michigan)
Unsung Heroes
Creighton has the luxury of bringing three veterans off the bench who can play a variety of positions and shoot it from deep in Mason Miller, Isaac Traudt and Jasen Green.
The trio has scored 93 points in Creighton’s seven wins, but have a total of nine points in CU’s five losses to date.
Denied!
Ryan Kalkbrenner has at least one blocked shot in 25 straight games played, tied for the third-longest streak by a Bluejay since 1984-85. It also is the nation’s longest active streak.
It’s Kalkbrenner’s third career streak of 25 or more games with a swat. He’s the nation’s only player since 2005-06 with three such streaks.
Kalkbrenner’s five blocked shots on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26 were a season-high, and the 17th and 18th games of his career with five or more rejections. It’s the fourth time in his career he’s had five or more rejections in back-to-back games, and he’s one of two players nationally this season with consecutive games of five or more blocks.
All other Bluejay players since 2005-06 have combined for 16 such games (7 by Gregory Echenique, 4 by Anthony Tolliver, 2 by Kenny Lawson Jr. and 1 each by Fredrick King, Jacob Epperson and Justin Patton).
Creighton’s Longest Streaks With A Block, Since 1984-85
Streak Name Dates
28 Benoit Benjamin 12/14/84 – 3/5/85
26 Ryan Kalkbrenner 11/16/21 – 2/26/22
25 Ryan Kalkbrenner 11/14/22 – 3/1/23
25 Ryan Kalkbrenner 2/2/24 – Present
17 Brody Deren 2/4/03 – 12/6/03
17 Gregory Echenique 2/16/11 – 11/25/11
Nation’s Longest Active Streaks With A Block (12/20)
Streak Name, School Next Game
25 Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton Dec. 21
19 Ileri Ayo-Faleye Vermont Dec. 21
Action Jackson
Jackson McAndrew had 12 points and 14 rebounds on Nov. 26 vs. San Diego State, then followed that up with a season-high 16 points vs. No. 20 Texas A&M a day later.
McAndrew was the first Bluejay freshman with a double-double since Fredrick King had 16 points and 10 rebounds at Marquette on Dec. 16, 2022.
McAndrew is the first Bluejay with a double-double in his first start at Creighton since South Dakota State transfer Baylor Scheierman had 11 points and 10 rebounds on Nov. 7, 2022 vs. Florida A&M.
McAndrew is the first Bluejay freshman with a double-double in his first career start since Ryan Nembhard (15 points, 10 assists). No Bluejay freshman since at least 1987-88 had owned a points/rebounds double-double in his first career start.
McAndrew is one of three freshmen in the BIG EAST this season to have a double-double in his first career start, joining UConn’s Liam McNeeley (18 & 10 vs. Sacred Heart) and Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber (20 & 13 vs. Lehigh).
McAndrew’s 14 rebounds were the third-most by any freshman in Greg McDermott‘s 15 years as Creighton head coach (491 games). Doug McDermott had 17 at Bradley on Feb. 1, 2011 and 16 at Akron on Feb. 19, 2011.
McAndrew was the first Bluejay freshman since Fredrick King in December of 2022 to score 12+ points in consecutive games.
McDermott Passes Altman On CU Wins List
Greg McDermott has 332 victories at Creighton, passing his predecessor Dana Altman (327) for the most in program history in CU’s Nov. 13 win vs. Houston Christian.
McDermott’s .668 winning percentage is Creighton’s best since Arthur A. Schabinger’s .714 win rate more than 85 years ago.
Below is a list of the most victorious Creighton coaches in program history, as well as the history of the Creighton Athletic Department.
Most Coaching Wins, Creighton MBB History
Rk. W-L Name Years
1. 332-165 Greg McDermott 2010-Pres.
2. 327-176 Dana Altman 1994-2010
3. 165-66 Arthur A. Schabinger 1922-1935
4. 138-118 John J. “Red” McManus 1959-1969
5. 130-64 Tom Apke 1974-1981
Most Wins, Creighton Athletics History (after 12/19)
Coach, Sport Victories
Brent Vigness, Softball 819
Ed Servais, Baseball 678*
Mary Higgins, Softball 564
Tom Lilly, Men’s & Women’s Tennis 542*#
Kirsten Bernthal Booth, Volleyball 502*
Jim Flanery, Women’s Basketball 436*
Ed Hubbs, Men’s & Women’s Tennis 347
Greg McDermott, Men’s Basketball 332*
Dana Altman, Men’s Basketball 327
*still active coaching at Creighton
#currently just the women’s tennis coach
Stability Is Key
One reason for Creighton’s extended run of success has been the continuity within its coaching staff. The Bluejays have had just two head coaches in the last 31 years, Dana Altman (1994-2010) and Greg McDermott (2010-Present).
Here’s a list of major conference schools to have a coach with 300 wins at that school, and their predecessor also had 300 wins at the school:
School Former Coach Current Coach
Creighton Dana Altman Greg McDermott
Kansas Roy Williams Bill Self
Michigan State Jud Heathcote Tom Izzo
Purdue Gene Keady Matt Painter
Video Game Numbers
Ryan Kalkbrenner’s numbers defy logic. Take a look:
In his career, Kalkbrenner has been fouled 481 times, owns 334 blocked shots, 262 dunks and just 237 career personal fouls in 145 games played.
This year only, he’s been fouled 48 times and has 28 blocks, 26 dunks and committed 12 fouls.
The only nine major conference men’s players in history besides Kalkbrenner (+97) to block 315 shots and own at least 85 more blocks than fouls are Jarvis Varnado (+220), Tim Duncan (+178), Emeka Okafor (+170), Calvin Booth (+165), Hasheem Thabeet (+159), Benoit Benjamin (+147), Jamarion Sharp (+141), Shaquille O’Neal (+125), Dikembe Mutombo (+120), Jeff Withey (+103) and Ralph Sampson (+93).
The Launch Pad
Basketball-Reference.com did the math, and Creighton owns 9,434 three-pointers in 1,239 games since the rule went national in 1986-87.
That ranks second-most in the country in that span, trailing only Duke (9,798 through Dec. 20).
Additionally, Creighton’s 7.61 three-pointers per game in that time lead the nation among programs who are currently in a major conference.
7-Foot-1 Of Awesome
A few notes about Ryan Kalkbrenner.
There’s only two BIG EAST players to score 73+ points in 60 minutes or less in any two game span since 2005-06. Ryan Kalkbrenner (73 points in 58 minutes) in the opening week this season and UConn’s Kemba Walker (73 points in 60 minutes) in 2010.
Ryan Kalkbrenner is one of three major conference players since 2005-06 to score 73 points and block six shots in any two game span, joining Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kansas State’s Michael Beasley.
There’s been only four BIG EAST players to score 73+ points to score any two-game span since 2012: Marquette’s Markus Howard (7x), DePaul’s Max Strus, Creighton’s Doug McDermott and Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner.
Kalkbrenner is the nation’s second player since 2005-06 to score 24+ points and shoot 90 percent (min. 10 FGA) in consecutive games, joining Belmont’s Evan Bradds from November of 2015.
Evan Bradds (7x) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (6x) are the only men in the country with five or more career games of 90 percent shooting (min. 10 FGA) since 2005-06.
Kalkbrenner In The Top Five
Ryan Kalkbrenner owns 1,955 career points, as he became the 45th men’s player in Creighton history to surpass 1,000 on Feb. 25, 2023 at Villanova.
The only player in Creighton history to enter a season with more career points than Kalkbrenner’s 1,771 were the 2,216 for Doug McDermott. A distant third were Rodney Buford and Bob Harstad, who each had 1,540 points entering their final campaign.
Kalkbrenner moved past Bob Portman on Nov. 22 and is now fifth on Creighton’s all-time scoring list.
Here’s a list of Creighton’s top scorers ever.
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. 1,955 Ryan Kalkbrenner 2020-Pres.
6. 1,876 Bob Portman 1966-69
7. 1,801 Kyle Korver 1999-03
8. 1,754 Nate Funk 2002-07
9. 1,682 Rick Apke 1974-78
10. 1,661 Paul Silas 1961-64
Kalkbrenner also ranks second in program history in blocked shots with 334. Kalkbrenner had 107 swats last year and is now 77 blocks behind Benoit Benjamin.
Most Creighton Blocked Shots, Since 1979-80
Blk. Name Years
411 Benoit Benjamin 1982-85
334 Ryan Kalkbrenner 2020-Pres.
183 Chad Gallagher 1987-91
Among The Best…EVER!
Ryan Kalkbrenner has made 784 of 1,181 career shots, putting him at 66.38 percent overall. That places the senior center third in field goal percentage in NCAA history among players to make 700 or more field goals and at least four field goals per game.
However, Kalkbrenner is first among all such players who have ever attempted 50 or more three-point field goal attempts….he’s taken 101.
Best Career FG%, NCAA History (min. 700 FG, 4FG/game)
Pct. (FG-FGA) Name, School Years
.678 (828-1222) Steve Johnson, Oregon State 1976-81
.667 (740-1109) Evan Bradds, Belmont 2013-17
.6638 (784-1181) Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton 2020-Pres.
.6635 (702-1058) Todd MacCulloch, Washington 1995-99
.651 (747-1147) Bill Walton, UCLA 1971-74
He Shoots, He Scores
Ryan Kalkbrenner had a night for the ages on Nov. 6 in the season-opener vs. UTRGV, finishing with 49 points on 20-of-22 shooting from the floor and 7-of-8 free throws while adding 11 rebounds and three blocked shots.
Kalkbrenner’s 49 points were the second-most in program history, two behind Bob Portman’s 51 on Dec. 16, 1967 vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Portman made 16-of-35 field goal attempts and 18-of-23 foul shots in his record-setting contest.
Below is a list of the previous Bluejay performances of 40 points or more
Most Points, Creighton Game
Pts. Name, Opponent Date FG FT
51 Bob Portman vs. UW-Milwaukee 12/16/1967 16 19
49 Ryan Kalkbrenner vs. UTRGV 11/06/2024 20* 7
47 Eddie Cole vs. Morningside (OT) 11/29/1954 18 11
46 Bob Portman vs. Weber State 12/23/1968 19 8
45 Tim Powers at Idaho State 01/29/1966 17 11
45 Benoit Benjamin vs. Indiana State 01/19/1985 18 9
45 Doug McDermott vs. Providence 03/08/2014 17# 6
44 Doug McDermott at Bradley 01/07/2012 18@ 5
43 Bob Portman at Kansas State 02/12/1968 16 11
43 Benoit Benjamin vs. Southern Illinois 01/17/1985 18 7
42 Bob Portman vs. LaSalle 01/30/1968 19 4
42 Cavel Witter vs. Bradley (2OT) 03/01/2008 13% 12
41 Doug McDermott vs. Wichita State 03/02/2013 15# 6
40 Chad Gallagher vs. Wichita State 02/17/1990 14 12
40 Rodney Buford vs. Bradley 12/30/1998 13$ 8
*includes 2 three-pointers
@includes 3 three-pointers
%includes 4 three-pointers
#includes 5 three-pointers
$includes 6 three-pointers
Honors Roll In For Kalkbrenner
Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner was named the first BIG EAST Player of the Week of the 2024-25 season, the conference announced on Nov. 11. He also picked up National Player of the Week acclaim from ESPN’s Dick Vitale, NCAA.com’s Andy Katz, the USBWA, Associated Press as well as the Lute Olson Award.
The 7-foot-1 center averaged 36.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocked shots per game as No. 15 Creighton posted a pair of double-digit victories to open the season. The three-time BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year shot 90.6 percent from the field (29-32), including 100 percent from three-point range (3-3), and also made 92.3 percent (12-13) of his free throw attempts.
It was the first weekly honor from the BIG EAST of Kalkbrenner’s career, though he’s certainly no stranger to hardware. Kalkbrenner is one of three men to earn at least three BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year honors. He was named First Team All-BIG EAST in 2022-23, Second Team All-BIG EAST in 2023-24 and Honorable Mention All-BIG EAST in 2021-22. Prior to this season, Kalkbrenner was named the league’s Preseason Player of the Year. He is also a four-time member of the BIG EAST’s All-Academic Team.
Kalkbrenner Scoring Tidbits
Ryan Kalkbrenner’s 49 points vs. UTRGV on Nov. 6 bring up all sorts of notes.
– In the last 25 years, the only player nationally with more points in a season-opener than Kalkbrenner’s 49 was Arkansas’ Rotnei Clarke, who had 51 in 2009 against Alcorn State.
– Kalkbrenner’s 49 points are the fourth-most ever in a season-opener by a player on a Top 25 team, trailing only LSU’s Bob Pettit (60 in 1953), UCLA’s Lew Alcindor (56 in 1966) and Jacksonville’s Artis Gilmore (50 in 1970). Those other three men are in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
– Kalkbrenner is the first Bluejay with 40+ points and 10+ rebounds in the same game since Chad Gallagher had 40 points and 11 rebounds vs. Wichita State on Feb. 17, 1990.
– Kalkbrenner’s 49 points were the fifth-most points in a game in BIG EAST history. Marquette’s Markus Howard had games of 53, 52 and 51, while Providence’s MarShon Brooks had a 52 point game as well.
– Kalkbrenner’s 49 points were the most in a double-double performance in BIG EAST history.
– Before Kalkbrenner’s 49 points and 11 rebounds, no other high major player has posted as many points and rebounds in any game over the past 30 years.
– Kalkbrenner is also the nation’s only player with 49+ points and 3+ blocks in the same game since at least 2005-06.
– Kalkbrenner scored Creighton’s first eight points and got better as the game went on. He had nine points in the first 10 minutes, then scored 11 in the final 10 minutes before half for the highest-scoring first half of his career.
Kalkbrenner then scored 14 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half before closing his masterpiece with 15 points in the final 10 minutes.
– Kalkbrenner’s 49 points broke Doug McDermott’s record of 45 points by a Creighton player at CHI Health Center Omaha. The overall record is 53 by Marquette’s Markus Howard on Jan. 9, 2019.
Having A Field Day
Ryan Kalkbrenner’s 20 field goals made on Nov. 6 were a Creighton single-game record, eclipsing the previous mark of 19 done twice by Bob Portman in 1968.
Kalkbrenner’s 20 field goals are the most in a season-opener by any player nationally in the last 15 seasons.
Kalkbrenner is the only player in the BIG EAST in at least 30 years with 49+ points and 20+ field goals in a game.
Kalkbrenner’s 20 field goals tied the single-game BIG EAST record held by Providence’s MarShon Brooks vs. Notre Dame in 2011.
Kalkbrenner’s 20 field goals made were a CHI Health Center Omaha record, breaking the old mark of 17 done twice by Doug McDermott and once by Evansville’s Colt Ryan.
Kalkbrenner’s 20 field goals made were the most by any player in a game against a Division I foe since Iowa State’s Melvin Ejim made 20 hoops vs. TCU on Feb. 8, 2014.
Kalkbrenner’s 90.9 percent shooting from the field was the highest field goal percentage in a 45-point game by any Division I player in the past 25 seasons, and the highest by a player to attempt 20 or more shots in a game in the past 25 years.
– Kalkbrenner was the first player with 20 field goals on 90 percent shooting in a Division I game since UCLA’s Bill Walton made 21-of-22 shots vs. Memphis in the 1973 NCAA final.
– Kalkbrenner missed just three shots (2 FG, 1 FT). He’s the first Division I or NBA player to score 45+ points while missing no more than three shots (FG or FT) since Dirk Nowitzki did in the 2011 NBA playoffs.
– Kalkbrenner made his final three field goal attempts in the first half, then made 11-of-11 shots in the second half, giving him 14 buckets in a row. That’s two shy of the NCAA single-game record of 16 made field goals in a row set by Kent State’s Doug Grayson vs. North Carolina on Dec. 6, 1967.
Stat Leaders, Nationally
Here’s a list of the categories that Creighton is in the Top 20 in, through games of Dec. 18th.
Category Rank Stat
Team Fouls Per Game 1st 11.1
FT Pct. (Ashworth) 1st .978
Field Goal Percentage (Kalkbrenner) 4th .703
Team Defensive Rebounds Per Game 6th 30.58
Blocks (Kalkbrenner) 11th 28
Blocks Per Game (Kalkbrenner) 12th 2.56
Three-Pointers Per Game (Ashworth) 18th 3.36
Three-Point Attempts (Ashworth) 18th 95
Three-Pointers Made (Ashworth) 19th 37
Assists Per Game (Ashworth) 19th 6.0
Assists (Ashworth) 20th 66
Dynamic Duo
Ryan Kalkbrenner (49) and Steven Ashworth (25) combined for 74 points on Nov. 6th. It was the most points by any BIG EAST duo since at least 1996-97.
It’s the second-most points by any Creighton pair in the same game, one point shy of the mark set on Jan. 19, 1985 when Benoit Benjamin (45) and Vernon Moore (30) combined for 75.
It’s the most points by any Creighton duo in 15 seasons under Greg McDermott. The previous high was 62, done on March 9, 2019 by Mitch Ballock (39) and Martin Krampelj (23) vs. DePaul. Ballock is now a graduate manager on the Bluejay staff.
In addition to Ballock and Krampelj, Creighton’s only other duo to combine for 62+ points in a game since 1996-97 was Nate Funk (38) and Johnny Mathies (24), who did it in double-overtime on Nov. 26, 2005 vs. Dayton.
The last Division I duo to combine for 74+ points in a non-overtime game was Austin Peay’s Terry Taylor and Jordyn Adams (both with 37) vs. Tennessee State on Jan. 23, 2020.
Jays Don’t Foul…Do You Follow?
Creighton led the nation with just 11.5 fouls per game last year, well ahead of runner-up Lipscomb’s 12.9 per contest, and are averaging an 11.1 fouls per game this season to lead the country.
Creighton’s streak of 60 straight games without a foul out was snapped on Nov. 30 vs. Notre Dame. Per Elias, that streak had been the nation’s longest since at least 2005-06.
Since the start of last year, Creighton has committed three fouls or less in 20 different halves.
In 46 games since the start of last season, Creighton has allowed just 55 made free throws in a 1-and-1 situation, and just 18 made free throws in the double bonus (and 6 of those came in an overtime session). Only four of those free throws in a 1-and-1 situation came in the first half (2 each vs. Alabama and San Diego State).
Here’s a look at how many fouls Creighton was called for this season by half:
Creighton Fouls By Half
Opponent First Half Second Half
UTRGV 4 7
FDU 5 7
Houston Christian 2 6
Kansas City 2 4
Nebraska 7 12
San Diego State 1 5
Texas A&M 9 8
Notre Dame 5 8
#1 Kansas 3 4
UNLV 4 4
#7 Alabama 7 11
Georgetown 4 4
Total 53 80
Jays Pass 28K at CHI
Creighton has outscored its opponents 28,376-23,687 in games at CHI Health Center Omaha, an average margin of 12.99 points per game in 361 all-time games in the building that count.
Creighton is 26-2 all-time in games where it moves over any 1,000 point milestone at CHI Health Center Omaha, as seen below:
Date Pts-Opp (CLCO Game #) Who/How vs. Opp.
02/18/04 1,000-787 (14) Lindeman FG vs. Indiana State
02/05/05 2,000-1,696 (28) Funk FG vs. Missouri St.
01/18/06 3,000-2,504 (41) Watts FT vs. Bradley
01/09/07 4,000-3,359 (56) Tolliver FG vs. Drake
12/17/07 5,000-4,174 (69) Kaleb Korver 3FG vs. Hou. Baptist
11/16/08 6,000-5,048 (82) Dotzler FG vs. New Mexico
02/11/09 7,000-5,870 (95) Witter 3FG vs. Bradley
01/16/10 8,000-6,750 (109) Young FG vs. Wichita State
12/20/10 9,000-7,645 (123) Wragge FG vs. W. Illinois
03/23/11 10,000-8,500 (136) Lawson FG vs. UCF
01/21/12 11,000-9,310 (148) McDermott FG vs. Ind. St.
12/19/12 12,000-10,136 (161) Echenique FG vs. Tulsa
11/23/13 13,000-10,922 (173) Artino FG vs. Tulsa
02/23/14 14,000-11,711 (185) Gibbs FG vs. Seton Hall
01/28/15 15,000-12,612 (198) Hanson FT vs. St. John’s
12/28/15 16,000-13,498 (211) Huff FG vs. Coppin State
11/15/16 17,000-14,349 (224) Patton FG vs. #9 Wisconsin
01/28/17 18,000-15,166 (235) Hanson FG vs. DePaul
12/18/17 19,000-15,927 (246) Foster 3FG vs. UT Arlington
11/06/18 20,000-16,741 (258) Ballock 3FG vs. W. Illinois
02/03/19 21,000-17,619 (270) Zegarowski FG vs. Xavier
12/07/19 22,000-18,463 (282) Ballock 3FG vs. Nebraska
03/07/20 23,000-19,280 (294) Mahoney 3FG vs. #8 Seton Hall
02/13/21 24,000-20,103 (306) Zegarowski FG vs. #5 Villanova
02/14/22 25,000-20,950 (320) Hawkins 3FG vs. Georgetown
01/25/23 26,000-21,786 (333) Nembhard 3FG vs. St. John’s
12/20/23 27,000-22,535 (345) Kalkbrenner FG vs. Villanova
11/13/24 28,000-23,388 (357) Isaacs 3FG vs. Hou. Christian
Nifty Fifty Leads To Postseason?
Not counting 2019-20, when there was no postseason, Creighton has made the postseason each of the previous 11 times in which it has made at least 50 percent of its field goal attempts to open the year. That’s a good sign since CU shot 60 percent on Nov. 6, its best mark since at least 1993-94 in a lid-lifter.
Nine of those postseason trips were NCAA Tournament berths. The last time that didn’t hold true was 1991-92, when CU shot 51.0 percent in the opener but finished just 9-19.
Creighton has shot 50 percent or better in nine of its last 13 season-openers.
CU Season-Opener Field Goal Percentage 50+%
Since 1993-94
FG% Year Opponent Postseason
.541 1997-98 UMKC NIT
.524 1998-99 Towson State NCAA
.569 2000-01 Western Illinois NCAA
.594 2002-03 UT Arlington NCAA
.500 2012-13 North Texas NCAA
.556 2013-14 Alcorn State NCAA
.528 2015-16 Texas Southern NIT
.508 2016-17 UMKC NCAA
.558 2017-18 Yale NCAA
.524 2019-20 Kennesaw St. Postseason Ccd.
.585 2021-22 Ark.-Pine Bluff NCAA
.567 2023-24 Florida A&M NCAA
.600 2024-25 UTRGV ? ? ?
The Push For 90
Of Creighton’s 25 all-time NCAA Tournament teams, 12 have scored 90 or more points in their season-opener.
Put another way…of CU’s 19 teams (before 2024-25) to score 90 points in an opener, 12 would reach the NCAA Tournament.
Here’s a look at Creighton’s last 12 teams to score 90 or more points in a season-opener:
Final Post-
Score Opponent Date W-L Season
93-47 UT-San Antonio 11/30/90 24-8 NCAA
93-48 Towson State 11/14/98 22-9 NCAA
96-50 Western Illinois 11/20/00 24-8 NCAA
106-50 Texas-Arlington 11/17/02 29-5 NCAA
97-65 North Carolina A&T 11/11/11 29-6 NCAA
107-61 Alcorn State 11/08/13 27-8 NCAA
104-77 Central Arkansas 11/14/14 14-19 —
93-70 Texas Southern 11/14/15 20-15 NIT
92-76 Yale 11/10/17 21-12 NCAA
90-77 Arkansas-Pine Bluff 11/09/21 23-12 NCAA
105-54 Florida A&M 11/07/23 25-10 NCAA
99-86 UTRGV 11/06/24 ? ? ? ? ? ?
One Of The Best
Senior center Ryan Kalkbrenner has been named one of 20 candidates on the NABC Division I Player of the Year Preseason Watch List, one of 50 players up for the John R. Wooden Award, and one of 50 candidates for the Naismith Trophy Men’s Player of the Year Watch List.
Kalkbrenner is four players named to the Naismith’s Preseason list each of the last three years (joining Hunter Dickinson, RJ Davis and Caleb Love). He’s also one of four players to make the NABC Preseason list each of the past two seasons, joining Dickinson, Oumar Ballo and Wade Taylor IV.
Who’s Back?
With Creighton returning six of the 11 men who appeared in a game last season, it’s no surprise that a similar ratio of the production from 2023-24 is also gone. Below is a breakdown of what is back:
Stat Returners Departures
Blocks 119 (83.2%) 24 (16.8%)
Starts 105 (60.0%) 70 (40.0%)
Minutes 3684 (51.3%) 3491 (48.7%)
Rebounds 636 (51.1%) 608 (48.9%)
Points 1383 (49.1%) 1432 (50.9%)
3FG Made 171 (45.6%) 204 (54.4%)
Assists 226 (38.4%) 362 (61.6%)
Steals 42 (31.3%) 92 (68.7%)
Charges Taken 4 (30.8%) 9 (69.2%)
Preseason Top 15
The Creighton men’s basketball team was ranked 15th in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 poll, the third straight season the Bluejays have been ranked among the nation’s best in the preseason.
This year’s announcement marks the seventh time in program history the writers have voted CU to the top-25 in the preseason, joining 2006-07 (No. 19), 2012-13 (No. 16) and 2016-17 (No. 22), 2020-21 (No. 11), 2022-23 (No. 9) and 2023-24 (No. 8). All six of those teams would end up in the NCAA Tournament, with the last three most recent squads making the Sweet 16.
Creighton’s best ranking in program history is seventh, done five times (Jan. 16, 2017, March 10, 2020, March 18, 2020, Jan. 7, 2021 and Nov. 28, 2022).
Creighton has been ranked 146 times in program history, with 118 of those under the direction of McDermott. Creighton is 180-76 all-time as a ranked team, including a 146-64 mark under McDermott. Creighton has now been ranked at least one week in 11 of McDermott’s 15 seasons on The Hilltop after doing it just five different seasons in program history before his 2010 arrival.
Creighton is one of 13 schools ranked in the Top 25 of the Preseason AP poll each of the last three years, joining Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Baylor, Creighton, Duke, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Narrow that list to just the Preseason Top 15 the past three seasons and only seven schools can claim that, with Creighton joining Duke, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas, North Carolina and Tennessee.
Creighton was one of three BIG EAST Conference schools in the preseason poll, joining No. 3 Connecticut and No. 18 Marquette. Two of Creighton’s December opponents, No. 1 Kansas (Dec. 4) and No. 2 Alabama (Dec. 14), are atop the poll. CU met preseason No. 13 Texas A&M on Nov. 27 in Las Vegas.
Creighton was also 14th in the preseason USA Today Coaches poll.
CU dropped out of both polls on Monday, Dec. 9.
Among The Nation’s Best
Below is where Creighton ranks nationally since the start of the 2010-11 season among teams to have played 100 or more Division I games, per Basketball-Reference.com.
2010-11 to Dec. 18, 2024
Category CU Stat CU Rank
3FG Made 4,437 2nd
2FG Percentage .550 3rd
FG Percentage .476 4th
Assists 7,952 5th
3FG Percentage .373 5th
FG Made 13,588 7th
Points 38,007 9th
Wins 332 24th
Winning Percentage .668 32nd
Who Are These Guys?
Creighton returns 105 starts from last year’s team, the fifth time in the past six seasons its returned at least 100 starts.
Creighton has won 20 or more games each of the previous nine times (and 13 of the last 14 times) it has returned 100 or more starts.
Returning Returning Starts Final
Year Starters From Previous Year W-L
2024-25 3 105 ? ? ?
2023-24 3 111 25-10
2022-23 3 104 24-13
2021-22 0 2 23-12
2020-21 5 124 22-9
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
#ProJays
Creighton has three alums in the NBA this season.
Former Creighton All-American Doug McDermott is with the Sacramento Kings as he begins his 11th year in the NBA.
Baylor Scheierman was a First Round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the NBA champion Boston Celtics.
Trey Alexander went undrafted, but was signed on a two-way contract by the Denver Nuggets.
These men give Creighton at least one NBA player for the 41st time in the last 42 seasons.
Other famous Bluejays to play in the NBA in the past include Paul Silas, Kyle Korver, Benoit Benjamin and Anthony Tolliver.
Let’s Go On A Run
Creighton has won at least one NCAA Tournament game in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. That makes CU one of five teams in the country to have a win in each of the last four NCAA Tournaments, joining Baylor, Gonzaga, Houston and Kansas.
This is the first time that Creighton has won an NCAA Tournament game in four straight years.
Sweetness!
Creighton is one of just five teams to have reached at least three of the last four Sweet 16s.
Gonzaga and Houston have done it each of the last four seasons, while Alabama, UCLA and Creighton have done it three times each.
This is the first time Creighton has been in the Sweet 16 in back-to-back tournaments.
Most Sweet 16’s, Last Four Years
# Team Years
4 Gonzaga 2021 2022 2023 2024
4 Houston 2021 2022 2023 2024
3 Creighton 2021 – 2023 2024
3 UCLA 2021 2022 2023 –
3 Alabama 2021 – 2023 2024
Ain’t Too Proud To Brag
Creighton (9 straight seasons) is one of six schools with 20 or more wins in each of the previous nine seasons joining Kansas (35), Gonzaga (27), Belmont (14), Oregon (9) and Houston (9).
Creighton (5 straight seasons) is also one of five teams to post 22 or more wins in each of the previous five seasons, joining Gonzaga (27), Houston (7), San Diego State (5) and Baylor (5).
Creighton was one of six teams in the nation with 25 or more wins in both men’s basketball and women’s basketball last season. That list consists of Creighton, Gonzaga, NC State, South Carolina, UConn and Vermont.
Creighton is one of four schools to have men’s and women’s basketball programs to both own 22 wins or more each of the previous three seasons, a list that included Creighton, Gonzaga, Princeton and UConn.
24 of 26 Seasons With 20 Wins
Creighton has won 20 or more games in 24 of the previous 26 seasons (1998-99 to 2023-24), a feat that puts the Jays among an exclusive group, nationally.
Just two schools have had 20 or more wins each of the last 26 years: Gonzaga and Kansas. Duke has done it 25 times, Creighton and Kentucky 24 times each.
Most 20-Win Seasons, Previous 26 Seasons
Team 20-Win Seasons
Gonzaga 26
Kansas 26
Duke 25
Creighton 24
Kentucky 24
Arizona 22
Florida 22
Ohio State 22
Michigan State 22
BYU 21
Memphis 21
North Carolina 21
Wisconsin 21
Most Consecutive 22-Win Seasons
Team Consec. 22-Win Years
Gonzaga 27
Houston 7
Creighton 5
San Diego State 5
Baylor 5
Top 25 Men & Women
Creighton is one of 12 schools with a preseason top-25 squad on both the men’s and women’s side in 2024-25, joining Alabama, Baylor, Connecticut, Duke, Indiana, Iowa State, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Texas and UCLA.
The only five schools to be ranked in the preseason men’s and women’s basketball Top 25 of the AP Poll each of the last three seasons are Baylor, Creighton, North Carolina and Texas.
Creighton is one of eight schools to make the NCAA Tournament in both men’s and women’s basketball each of the previous three seasons, a list that consists of Arizona, Baylor, Creighton, Gonzaga, Iowa State, Tennessee, Texas and UConn.
Creighton is one of 14 schools that won an NCAA Tournament game last season in both men’s and women’s basketball: Alabama, Arizona, Baylor, Colorado, Creighton, Duke, Gonzaga, Iowa State, Kansas, North Carolina, NC State, Tennessee, Texas, and UConn.
Big Deficits, No Big Deal
Creighton owns 27 victories since the start of the 2010-11 season after trailing by double-figures at some point. Thirteen of those 27 comebacks have come away from home.
If you’re curious, CU’s largest comeback win since 2000 came on Jan. 28, 2006, when the Jays trailed 25-6 early before rallying to beat Wichita State on a buzzer-beater by Anthony Tolliver.
CU’s Double-Digit Comebacks Under McDermott
Deficit Opponent Date
18 #18 Oklahoma 11/19/14
17 at San Diego State 11/30/11
16 at Evansville 02/16/13
16 at Seton Hall 01/27/21
16 SIU Edwardsville 11/27/21
15 Arkansas-Pine Bluff 11/09/21
14 Evansville 02/21/12
14 vs. San Diego State 03/17/22
13 at Saint Joseph’s 11/16/13
13 Xavier 01/12/14
13 #22 Xavier 12/23/20
12 Saint Joseph’s 12/11/10
12 at DePaul 01/17/16
12 East Tennessee State 11/11/18
11 at Wichita State 12/31/11
11 Northern Iowa 01/10/12
11 vs. Alabama 03/16/12
11 vs. Ole Miss 11/21/16
11 vs. Connecticut 03/12/21
11 DePaul 01/22/22
10 UAB 11/14/12
10 vs. Drake 03/02/12
10 at Nebraska 12/07/14
10 South Dakota 12/09/14
10 St. John’s 01/03/18
10 at DePaul 02/07/18
10 Bemidji State 02/13/18
Release, Rotation, Splash, Repeat
Creighton has made at least one three-pointer in 1,032 straight games. That ranks as the nation’s 10th-longest active streak.
Creighton’s last game without a three-pointer came at Illinois State on Feb. 20, 1993, when the Jays were 0-for-5. Creighton’s last win without making a three-point basket came on March 3, 1991 when the Jays went 0-for-2 from three-point range in a 71-66 win over Southern Illinois in the championship game of the MVC Tournament.
Below is a list of the nation’s longest active three-point streaks.
Longest Active 3-Point Streaks (through 12/20)
Rk. Streak School Next Game
1. 1,237 UNLV 12/21
2. 1,236 Duke 12/21
3. 1,170 East Tennessee State 12/21
4. 1,143 Oakland 12/22
5. 1,141 Pacific 12/21
6. 1,139 Texas 12/29
7. 1,078 Marshall 12/21
8. 1,070 Gonzaga 12/21
9. 1,062 Princeton 12/21
10. 1,032 Creighton 12/21
11. 1,028 Long Island 12/21
12. 1,016 Mount St. Mary’s 12/21
Triple Trouble
During Creighton’s current streak of 1,032 straight games with a three-pointer, the Jays have drained 8,279 trifectas, an average of 8.02 treys per game.
Only five times in the streak has Creighton made just one three-pointer, but on 311 occasions the Bluejays have made 10 or more trifectas, including three games of 20 or more.
Since the start of the 2019-20 season, the Bluejays are 88-24 when making eight or more three-pointers, compared to a 34-31 mark when making seven treys or fewer.
Team 3FG Made During Creighton’s 3-Point Streak
1: 5 times 2: 19 times 3: 36 times
4: 75 times 5: 104 times 6: 108 times
7: 151 times 8: 128 times 9: 94 times
10: 87 times 11: 61 times 12: 63 times
13: 50 times 14: 24 times 15: 9 times
16: 8 times 17: 4 times 18: 1 time
19: 2 times 20: 1 time 21: 1 time 22: 1 time
CHI Health Center Omaha Dramatics
Creighton is 8-8 in contests with a game-winning go-ahead score in the final 10 seconds at CHI Health Center Omaha, which opened in 2003.
The last time such a game happened was in 2020 when Creighton’s Marcus Zegarowski hit a shot with 3.2 seconds left to beat Providence.
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
01/18/20 Providence W 78-74 Zegarowski 3FG :3.2
*double-overtime
Opponent Go-Ahead Scores in CU Losses at
CHI Health Center Omaha, Last 10 Seconds
Date Opponent Score Player/Score Time
03/20/06 Miami (Fla.) L 53-52 G. Diaz FT :2.6
01/20/07 Southern Illinois L 58-57 B. Mullins FG :4.1
01/10/15 #19 Seton Hall L 68-67 S. Gibbs 3FG :2.2
02/16/15 #19 Butler L 58-56 R. Jones FG :1.9
03/07/15 Xavier L 74-73 D. Davis FT’s :6.3
01/12/16 #12 Providence L 50-48 K. Dunn FG :0.0
02/22/17 Providence L 68-66 K. Cartwright 3FG :2.4
02/10/18 #5 Xavier L 71-72 Q. Goodin FT’s :0.3
Top-20 Crowds
Here’s a look at Creighton’s top-20 home crowds all-time.
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. 18,571 DePaul 01/22/24
10. 18,525 Marquette 12/31/13
11. 18,519 #8 Seton Hall 03/07/20
12. 18,518 Georgetown 01/27/18
13. 18,509 Villanova 02/04/23
14. 18,495 Marquette 02/17/18
15. 18,494 Illinois State 02/09/13
16. 18,475 Nebraska 11/22/24
17. 18,458 Evansville 12/29/12
18. 18,436 Bradley 01/28/12
19. 18,323 DePaul 02/07/14
20. 18,321 #3 Villanova 02/24/18
CHI Health Center Omaha Success
Creighton has played 361 regular and postseason contests at CHI Health Center Omaha all-time in the now 22-year-old facility.
The Bluejays own a 298-63 (.825) record all-time at the facility.
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 28,293-23,622 in games at CHI Health Center Omaha, an average margin of 12.98 points per game. Creighton has not trailed 93 different times, including twice this year (Kansas City, #1 Kansas).
Incredibly, Creighton hasn’t trailed in its home opener in 10 of the past 24 seasons (2000-01, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2011-12, 2014-15, 2016-17 and 2019-20).
Creighton is also 32-37 all-time in the 69 games at the arena in which it’s fallen behind by double-figures at any point, 8-12 when down by 10+ points at halftime in the facility, and 41-30 when trailing at halftime at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Creighton is 201-45 (.816) at CHI Health Center Omaha under Greg McDermott and hasn’t trailed in 66 of those games. In that same span, CU owns a 106-10 home record (.914) 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 317-63 (.834) at home since the start of the 2002-03 campaign.
Home Run
Under Greg McDermott Creighton is averaging 80.82 points per home game (19,882 points in 246 home games), a figure that climbs to 84.23 points in non-conference home games (9,855 points in 117 home games).
Creighton is 150-7 all-time at CHI Health Center Omaha when scoring 80 or points.
Nine Is Divine
Greg McDermott has guided his team to the NCAA Tournament nine times at Creighton. That put him in the company of some of the greatest coaches in CU Athletics history, and most among basketball coaches.
McDermott is one of three head coaches in Creighton history to lead eight or more NCAA Tournament teams.
Name Sport NCAA’s @CU
Kirsten Bernthal Booth Volleyball 14
Bob Warming Men’s Soccer 11
Greg McDermott Men’s Basketball 9
Dana Altman Men’s Basketball 7
Brent Vigness Softball 7
Jim Flanery Women’s Basketball 7
Firing On All Cylinders
Creighton finished the 2023-24 season ranked 11th overall by KenPom.com. That included the nation’s No. 9 offense, and No. 24 defense.
Creighton has finished with a top-25 offense per KenPom eight times and a top-25 defense three times in 14 completed seasons under Greg McDermott.
Year Off. Rating Def. Rating Overall Rank
2010-11 66 174 98
2011-12 5 166 28
2012-13 5 66 15
2013-14 2 124 17
2014-15 59 138 79
2015-16 43 76 40
2016-17 32 46 28
2017-18 25 58 30
2018-19 47 83 55
2019-20 3 78 12
2020-21 25 32 22
2021-22 112 19 50
2022-23 23 14 12
2023-24 9 24 11
2024-25 71 45 58
New Court Debuts
Creighton is playing home games on a new basketball court designed to tell the story of Creighton University and the program’s proud history.
The court was designed by GLGR out of Beaverton, Ore., and produced by Ledford Sports Floors out of Jenks, Okla.
The court includes multiple intricate features that merit up-close inspection to gain a full appreciation for the attention to detail in the new Creighton-centric design.
• Six numbers will appear on the west sideline, three in front of each bench, to recognize the retired jersey numbers for No. 3 (Doug McDermott), No. 25 (Kyle Korver), No. 30 (Bob Harstad), No. 33 (Bob Portman), No. 35 (Paul Silas) and No. 45 (Bob Gibson).
• Within the eye of the Bluejay logo at midcourt will be the number 1916, a nod to Creighton’s first recognized year of intercollegiate basketball.
• Just inside the three-point line on the South end will be text of seven core Jesuit values, such as “Women and Men For and With Others”. It is believed that Creighton will be the nation’s first Division I team with its school motto included inside its basketball court.
• Also inside the three-point line on the North side of the court are Heritage logos to honor Creighton’s history.
• The new color scheme also features an updated courtside gradient, in addition to a feather pattern inside the three-point line, a nod to Creighton’s Bluejay nickname.
McDermott’s Coaching Tree
Greg McDermott‘s coaching tree owns 10 men who are currently a head coach at the Division I level. Seven of the 10 won 20+ games last season. Here’s a list:
Darian DeVries – West Virginia
Eric Henderson – South Dakota State
Alan Huss – High Point
Ben Jacobson – Northern Iowa
Steve Lutz – Oklahoma State
TJ Otzelberger – Iowa State
David Richman – North Dakota State
Daniyal Robinson – Cleveland State
Paul Sather – North Dakota
Patrick Sellers – Central Connecticut State
Ticket Information
Single-game tickets for the 2024-25 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.
For more information, call the Creighton Ticket Office at (402) 280-JAYS.
