Reviewing Creighton

[adoraz]

Does anyone think that TSA's decision to leave CU has anything to do with uncertainty about next year's collegiate season due to coronavirus? Maybe it's better to be in the G-League getting paid and training against other NBA hopefuls rather than maybe not practice or train much at Creighton? I assume G-League because it doesn't sound like he ranks very high on anyone's draft board. While I have loved having him as a Jay, I have a hard time seeing him in the NBA: not quick enough to be a point guard, and maybe he's not long enough nor is his shot quick enough to be a two.

We are hearing more and more 'whispers' about there possibly not being a fall NCAA sports season, and if that's the case, basketball could be swept up in it as well.

I will be totally bummed if there's no 2020-21 hoops season.

If there is no college season their is no g league or NBA season either.

I disagree. Pro sports have a much easier path towards coming back. MLB for instance may play in empty stadiums in Florida/Arizona only. College sports can't do anything like that.

[Jet915]

Creighton adds some frontline depth for 2020.

2020 class Lithuanian power forward Modestas Kancleris (’01) has announced that he has committed to Creighton.

Kancleris, who verbally committed to Grand Canyon before Dan Majerle’s destitution, attended the 2019 BWB Global Camp and the 2019 NBPA Top 100 Camp.

[OmahaGuy]

Don't know who this guy is but he could be worth it. I hope he's another Krampelj-like player. Krampelj--like Kancleris--was an international player whom I had no idea we were recruiting until we signed him. Despite injuries, he turned out to be very good. Let's hope for something similar

[Jet915]

Creighton adds some guard depth for next year.

Rati Andronikashvili, one of the top international prospects in the 2020 class, has committed to Creighton, he told ESPN. The 6'5 guard has significant experience at the FIBA level.

[Jet915]

A little more on Rati....

“ This was a big pickup for Creighton as Andronikashvili – who will be graded as a four-star prospect when 247Sports ranks him nationally in the 2020 class – gives the Bluejays one of the top point guards entering college next season.”

“ The 6-foot-4, 190-pound point guard has very good size for the position to go with long arms. He has a slight frame and will need to get stronger but overcomes that with his size, skill and vision.

Andronikashvili’s passing ability is easily his best attribute. He’s an ambidextrous passer with excellent vision and makes extremely difficult passes look easy.
What makes Andronikashvili’s vision so dangerous for opponents is that he is also an excellent ball-handler who uses his ball skills and savvy to get into the paint and create for others.
While Andronikashvili can be turnover prone and can force the issue at times, strength, coaching and maturity should help there at the next level.

As a scorer, Andronikashvili is best as a slasher. He is a creative finisher who can score around the rim with both hands.

Andronikashvili has improved as a three-point shooter over the years but it is still an area where there is plenty of work to be done. Better shot selection will help some but he’s far more comfortable shooting off the bounce than catch but is still inconsistent as a shooter in general.
Defensively, Andronikashvili’s size, length and instincts should help him guard multiple perimeter positions at the next level, especially as he gets stronger.”

“ Landing Andronikashvili was a big deal for Creighton and gives the Bluejays an exciting player and dynamic passer who has significant international experience for an incoming freshman.

[GumbyDamnit!]

Can’t wait to hear Gus call a game in which this guy guards Mamu in a switch. He’ll certainly have fun with that.

[ArmyVet]

Creighton adds some guard depth for next year.

Rati Andronikashvili, one of the top international prospects in the 2020 class, has committed to Creighton, he told ESPN. The 6'5 guard has significant experience at the FIBA level.

Any idea if he is stateside already? If not, it will be interesting to see when the US begins to permit international arrivals again.

[LMS]

Creighton announced that the school will dismiss for the semester at Thanksgiving break this year. I suppose the good news is that it appears they plan to have students on campus.

[jfan]

Can’t wait to hear Gus call a game in which this guy guards Mamu in a switch. He’ll certainly have fun with that.

He and Mamu were actually teammates on the Georgia National team and also on a club team. Mamu speaks highly about Rati's ability. Quite a mouthful though. We definitely need a nickname!

[Omaha1]

Great article in The Athletic about Creighton recruiting internationally. A snippet:

Creighton is beginning to follow a model that looks a lot like Gonzaga’s. The Bulldogs have had successes in the traditional recruiting model (attracting high school players in the States), but many of Gonzaga’s recent stars have come from overseas. Creighton does not have the overseas cachet of Gonzaga just yet — no one in college basketball does — but McDermott could be steering the program toward becoming the Gonzaga of the Midwest, and Andronikashvili could be an important piece in that philosophy.

That’s because Creighton, stylistically, is an attractive option for players with the skill sets who often come out of Europe. Many college coaches talk about embracing space-and-pace, but no one has done it quite as well and been as aesthetically pleasing as the Bluejays. It started with the Doug McDermott-led teams. Greg McDermott has since built offenses around skill, shooting and pace, and it’s working. His teams have ranked in the top 10 in effective field-goal percentage in seven of the last nine seasons.
Pace is not always a priority in Europe, but skill is. “Where here it’s more physical and relies on athleticism in a lot of instances,” said Evan Daniels, the director of recruiting at 247Sports.com, who has made it a priority to scout more overseas the last few years. “When you look at how Creighton plays, it’s all about skill and shot-making ability, so I think there’s some natural fit.”