A Review of Creighton

[cu blujs]

I don't get it, Mac is arguably the best coach Creighton has ever had. He's produced the best basketball teams in the school's history.

Creighton's basketball history started before 2005, just so you know. I look at results. He has had one team that you could reasonably argue was the best, and had back to back single digit loss seasons once. I will argue the 2002-03 team was better than Doug's senior year team. Altman had 3 consecutive single digit loss seasons. And, a couple of the 1970's teams were easily on par with McDermott's best team. Even a couple of teams in the 60s which went to back to back sweet 16s could be argued to have been as good or better. Heck, Tony Barone took back to back teams as far as McDermott ever has in the dance, and McDermott has yet to win a game in the NCAA without his son on the roster. McDermott's 2014-15 team was probably the worst CU team since the early 90s (maybe tied with Altman's final year), and this year's team probably ranks in the bottom 5 or 6 in that time. Sans Doug's junior and senior years, he has really had one team (2016-17) that one could rank in the top 10 all time, and that one tanked after Mo's injury). His other teams have all been pretty average. So, to say he has produced the best basketball teams in the school's history is a huge reach.

[Omaha1]

Don't think that. Don't forget, Creighton has arguably the worst coach in the conference. He's fooled Creighton fans multiple times before and I certainly won't be fooled again. Maybe they'll be slightly better next year but I can already see it coming. We'll get blown out in the first round of the dance like usual because this guy is so incompetent and can only win NCAA tourney games if he has a player that's special (and even with Doug he couldn't make the sweet 16 3 straight times). That's a major problem. Heck, this program in general is incapable of winning tourney games unless there's a special player on the team. Before Doug, last time Jays won a game in the dance was in 2002 when Korver was on the team. This coach and this program just always save their worst for last. It's infuriating.

Don't ever be optimistic about Creighton next season (or maybe even ever again). We could literally have Martin back and I still won't be that excited. We could literally change coaches and no matter who's in charge, we won't accomplish our ultimate goals (win a Big East title, make dance, and get to sweet 16). It'll take an absolute miracle for them to be a really good team next season but I definitely won't be holding my breath. I won't get fooled again.

Anyways, apologies for the pessimism but I seriously just can't help myself.

I don't get it, Mac is arguably the best coach Creighton has ever had. He's produced the best basketball teams in the school's history. What I find most impressive is that he has completely reinvented himself from his days at NDSU and UNI. He's transformed from a defensive, grind it out, possession oriented style to a fast paced, high flying attack. He's regularly produced some of the top offensive teams in the country. I understand the frustration that he has been unable to win the Big East or make noise in the Tourney. However, I think he does the best with what he has. And that's ultimately how I judge the worth of a head coach. His big shortcoming has been recruiting (especially recruiting depth)...and he's gotten a lot better at it!

I think he has been snake bitten with untimely injuries to key players and players leaving early for the NBA draft (good indicator that he has improved his recruiting). I also recognize that he's not Jay Wright. Mac isn't going to be an all time great. He's a solid coach who has maintained and built upon an already solid basketball program. I think he deserves a long leash (at least 2 bad years in a row) before Creighton should start considering parting ways.

P.S. You could convince me that there is a problem with mental fortitude that is endemic to his program. I would say it is a problem for most programs that run a more 'finesse' system. However, I've seen Creighton teams overcome this in the past with leadership from upperclassmen. I think softness is a symptom of young teams (like this year's). Losing guys like Khyri, Mo, & Marcus has really hurt.

Let me introduce you to Eddie Sutton and Dana Altman.

[Jet915]

4 star wing 6'9 Tristan Enaruna is down to Creighton, Miami and Kansas. #78 on 247 composite. Jays have recruited him the longest, official visits to all 3 at the end of this month. Would fill a big need for us at the 4.

[OmahaGuy]

Martin is going pro

[sju88grad]

Martin is going pro

And Jon Rothstein is reporting that Davion Mintz declared for the draft as well....

[Omaha1]

Martin is going pro

And Jon Rothstein is reporting that Davion Mintz declared for the draft as well....

Very odd. Literally zero chance he would ever get drafted.

[Jet915]

Mintz will be back, but Krampelj sounds like he is leaving which is a huge setback for us. We are down to Epperson (who cant stay healthy) and Bishop (who isn't really a center) as our bigs. Horrible.....

[cu blujs]

Not even Enaruna is enough to fill the hole. Unless a BE caliber grad transfer or 4/5 star big falls in our lap, we are going to be in big (pun intended) trouble.

[cu blujs]

Picked up a commitment from former Georgia State signee Jalen Windham. 6'5" shooting guard from Indiana. Apparently released from LOI after coach left for Tulane. HS states aren't overwhelming, but played at a solid HS and AAU program. So, we appear to be doubling down on our one big and 4 guys 6'5" and under strategy. Maybe next season will be the one where that really works out well. Partly kidding, as I know we need some wings, as we will have a sr. and a plethora of jrs at guard this season, so a freshman will be good - and perhaps even better if her redshirts and then has 4 to play (though not many kids want to redshirt anymore). Recruiting pundits on Bluejay board are telling us we got a steal. So, going with that. But, if we don't get more than two guys bigger than 6'6" on this roster, we are screwed --- notwithstanding some delusional CU fans trying to convince themselves that our four guards under 6'5" offense is the wave of the future.

[cu blujs]

Well, Mac and Co are bridesmaids again. Lost out to KS on Enaruna. You can expect to see another season of 1 guy bigger than 6'5" on the floor. So many over at our message board can't believe he wouldn't come to Creighton over probably sitting the bench at Kansas (why they would want him so bad, but assume he is only good enough to sit the bench there is beyond me). My response is why would he come to Creighton when Mac is obviously all in on the four guard offense? Who is going to sit of the four guards to give him playing time? His only chance at significant playing time is if Krampelj goes pro (most likely, I think) and Epperson never gets healthy enough to play much. Under Mac's current state of the program, everyone over 6'5" (or maybe 6'6" when the kid from Memphis is eligible the next season) is battling for one 40 minute slot on the floor at the 5.