Question for Creighton Fans

[HoopDreams]

Honest question for Creighton fans... With the fantastic start to your season do you still feel you have a lot to prove in this NBE? The past 10-15 years CU has had some great basketball teams but none of that has equated to much success in March. In fact, when compared to almost every other BE school it's not even really close from a historical perspective (i.e. only one Sweet 16 since 1974). So is this being considered by most in Omaha as the year the Blue Jays must finally make some noise in March? It seems like you have the pieces.

[gtmoBlue]

Far be it for ME to speak for the Jays fandom...and if I did they would be on my ass like white on rice, Maple on syrup, Narragansett on beer.

Having clarified - IMO Yes, Yes, and Yes.

The Jays still have much to prove as respect in these BE parts is both provisional and "What have you done for me lately". Some here (BE) still don't have much respect for the newbies...with Creighton probably on the tail end of the newbie schools.

Both Jays fans and BE fans would like to see some March validation from Creighton. Even with All-World DMD, we couldn't make a SS. This new gaggle of Jays appears to have the moxie, skill, and balls to do some damage - come March. I for one, expect no less.

As alluded to by ol' Sactown...a.k.a. WuShock, many have a perception of my Jays as prissy, pansy, suburban horse hoopsters...playing "pretty" basketball. Hopefully this current group can finally put that sh_t to bed. I am liking the attitude, the not backing down from confrontation, and the swagger. Creighton will never have a G'town hood swagger nor an X free-for-all brawl, but it is a nice change of pace from pretty basketball.

These next few years will set the tone for Creighton - Competitive, in the mix for conference/national honors, and making a couple of NCAA runs.

Ps: Just between u n me...and keep this to yourself. Old gtmo will be happy when my Jays are the most hated team in the conference. When we win in spite of the venue, regardless of the rank of the opposition, and begin racking up repeated championships. Domination breeds contempt, hate, and a grudging respect- the best kind of respect. Lil' Creighton and the nine dwarfs. That is heaven.

[BluejayBuff]

Honest question for Creighton fans... With the fantastic start to your season do you still feel you have a lot to prove in this NBE?

Yes. Sweet Sixteen or disappointment. We were depressed when Altman took us to the NCAA and didn't win. Now we're depressed that we can't seem to get through that second win in the NCAA tourney.

To be honest, our soccer team was in the College Cup championship like two years in a row. We lost both. Shit sucks. As a small private school, in a midwestern city that doesn't get the respect it deserves purely because it's in Nebraska, we're probably always going to feel like we have something to prove.

*These thoughts do not represent the thoughts of all CU fans.*

P.S. It's Bluejays, not Blue Jays.

[hortle]

If we had Watson for another season, I'd say its next season that we pin all our hopes and dreams on. But since he's gone next spring and he's like 1000x our MVP, this is the year we have to get to the second weekend. Him + Thomas and Foster makes for a ridiculous starting backcourt. Patton adds so much offensive depth with his mobility, length, and hands. Watson's the one that maxes out the potential of this offensive monster.

[sciencejay]

In a generic sense, I agree that we should be able to make the second weekend, but I'm always concerned about us. There's always bad matchups, etc. (think Baylor a couple of years ago), that can stop a run before it gets started. And I've said it before, but losing Zach Hanson is devastating. If Patton gets into foul trouble in the first half--which will happen, he's a frosh--we are in serious trouble. Hanson could fill that gap seamlessly for extended periods. Right now we're plugging it with an athletic small forward. That's not a long term recipe for success.

However, we do still have a ton of pieces that are still figuring out how best to come together--Cole Huff is a guy that right now isn't sure how/where he fits in. I think our sluggish first halves are a testament to the chemistry not quite being there with all 9-10 guys who see regular time. If the staff can make it all go, then we have an excellent chance.

[Jet915]

Assuming everyone stays healthy (big IF), if we fail to make the second weekend, it will be due to a thin front line. With Hanson likely gone for most of the year, we are very thin up front.

[gtmoBlue]

Several ranked teams are playing "small ball" lineups. Mac was pretty successful with the Wragge-DMD tandem, with Artino playing spot minutes. The loss of Hanson, while significant, is not a deal breaker. Roll Jays.

[DeePhence]

I disagree that "original Big Easters" don't have respect for Creighton (or Xavier and Butler).

On the contrary, as a life long PC follower, I think our fans are generally thrilled with what you and XU and BU bring the conference.
Great crowds in Omaha (and you travel really well - especially to MSG for the tournament) and some really good basketball.

We even had a string a few days ago on our board with "where would the BE be now without the three newcomers," given you're all undefeated and nationally ranked.

McDermott is a great coach and a great guy. I know he and Cooley are very tight.

The new BE wouldn't be what it is without the three new members - not in numbers certainly and not in buzz and quality.
I don't speak for everyone, of course, but I don't think many of us see you as interlopers or add-ons.

During the 2000s when the BE was losing members to the ACC and conference realignment was heating up and football money was beginning to be the be-all and and-all, I used to day dream about a hoops first conference with a northeast-midwest footprint. All three of you guys were on my candidate list. I never thought it would happen, though.

[FenwayFriar]

I disagree that "original Big Easters" don't have respect for Creighton (or Xavier and Butler).

On the contrary, as a life long PC follower, I think our fans are generally thrilled with what you and XU and BU bring the conference.
Great crowds in Omaha (and you travel really well - especially to MSG for the tournament) and some really good basketball.

We even had a string a few days ago on our board with "where would the BE be now without the three newcomers," given you're all undefeated and nationally ranked.

McDermott is a great coach and a great guy. I know he and Cooley are very tight.

The new BE wouldn't be what it is without the three new members - not in numbers certainly and not in buzz and quality.
I don't speak for everyone, of course, but I don't think many of us see you as interlopers or add-ons.

During the 2000s when the BE was losing members to the ACC and conference realignment was heating up and football money was beginning to be the be-all and and-all, I used to day dream about a hoops first conference with a northeast-midwest footprint. All three of you guys were on my candidate list. I never thought it would happen, though.

Completely agree. And it's clearly evident this year with all three ranked in the top 20 and two in the top 10. No one else is really that close to being ranked (Seton Hall has the best chance in the future) so that's huge to have all three being ranked. Obviously the AP poll in November doesn't mean much and everyone will need to step it up in March but the three newcomers are a big reason why there's so much positive national press regarding the BE this year (with obviously Nova winning it all still helping immensely). It's the "old three" of Georgetown, Marquette, and St. John's that need to worry about regaining respect.

[whiteandblue77]

Honest question for Creighton fans... With the fantastic start to your season do you still feel you have a lot to prove in this NBE? The past 10-15 years CU has had some great basketball teams but none of that has equated to much success in March. In fact, when compared to almost every other BE school it's not even really close from a historical perspective (i.e. only one Sweet 16 since 1974). So is this being considered by most in Omaha as the year the Blue Jays must finally make some noise in March? It seems like you have the pieces.