Category: college basketball 365

Finally, the word is out: Creighton!

On By @gtmoblueIn college basketball 365

4-star Marcus Zegarowski’s a Jay!

(and the East Coast Connection is bearing fruit.)

 

Courtesy – The Tilton School, NH

 

What a surprising Summer it has been thus far for the good coaches, staff, and fans of the Creighton Bluejays.  We received a gift from Missouri as Lee’s Summit’s SF Chris Bishop surprisingly committed to Creighton on 21 June.  Chris is one of git’s “earmarked” recruits for 2018, 4-star status, and tickled me pink with the news.  The very next day the Jays pickup an “out of the blue” surprise transfer student from U of New Mexico in the name of SG/SF Damien Jefferson, from E. Chicago, Indiana – Sit 1, Play 3.

Then… as a belated 4th of July gift, North Carolina 4-star stud PF/C Ian Steere (2018) committed to the Hilltop as of 6 July 2017.

Now…New Hampshire’s Tilton School/Expressions Elite AAU gives us a sensational shooting PG and 4-star recruit in Marcus Zegarowski (NERRs #1 player in New England) on 04 September 17, to end the Summer on a high note.

marcus zegarowski @MZegarowski1

Final 4..

12:18 PM – Aug 8, 2017

 

Zegarowski is one of the best shooting point guards in the class, and the school that lands him is getting a reliable guard who can knock down the deep three. I think Creighton has the edge right now since they’ve been recruiting him the hardest, but don’t count out the family ties to Washington. The good news is that fans won’t have to wait long for a commitment if he does decide to forego official visits and announce in September.  –  Krysten Peek, Rivals.com

ESPNs Analysis of Marcus… http://insider.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/evaluation/_/id/224316/marcus-zegarowski

 

Marcus (Hamilton, MA) is rated 4 Star by Espn (#96) and is Top 150 (#143) for Rivals.  The pickup of Zegarowski is a Major Get by the Jays.  He had cut his list to 4 and Creighton was considered the leader for him. Marcus had stated no official visits, but then officially visited CU on 30-31 August 17.  With his commit the 2018 Class (on 247 Sports) jumps up from 17th to 10th nationally and 1st in the Big East for now.  Rivals – up to class #14 for now.

I expect the Jays 2018 class to stay Top 15, as they may get a 4th commit and/or the numbers ratings on our 3 current commits will improve during the course of their upcoming Senior year.  Ian and Chris will show improvement and Marcus is grossly undervalued (as evidenced by his spring and summer play this year) and will make the biggest gain of our current commits.

http://www.espn.com/blog/ncbrecruiting/on-the-trail/insider/post?id=17551

Again, suddenly-swiftly Marcus tweeted his decision of “I will be attending and playing basketball at Creighton University.”  “I have decided to commit to Creighton University,” Zegarowski said. “It is the best fit for me and I felt really good on the visit. The coaching staff made me a priority and it’s the best decision for my family and me. A couple of nights ago something hit me and I knew that Creighton was the place for me.”

Marcus has put the needs of the Jays to bed, as all the perceived holes are filled.  CU picked up a “Z” and a “Ski” with the same billet (always good to have a ski aboard).  We now have the PG of the future onboard and can shoot for the stars with the last (4th) 2018 hoops scholie.

 

Welcome to the Hilltop Marcus.  Excellent choice of schools.

– gtmoBlue

#RollJays#TakeFlight#MakeNewHistory @bluejayMBB

 

Open Letter to Bruce…Jays AD

On By @gtmoblueIn college basketball 365

What a Man…What a Leader!  The Best damn University Athletic Director in the Country.

 

Bruce
Courtesy – Creighton Athletics

 

Hey Bruce,

Just a line or two to emote my feelings about you and your exemplary leadership of Creighton Athletics.  For twenty some odd years now we have leaned on your shoulder, cried on that shoulder, and pinned some very large hopes on those same shoulders.  You have beared up, hitched up your britches, and charged ahead with courage, conviction, and purpose.  You have done and continue to do one helluva job – we couldn’t have asked for better.

Chapters and volumes can be written about all of the events, conferences, caucuses, arguments, etc., which have transpired over the years…the vast majority of which we will never know unless you write the books.  What we do know and have witness to is the ongoing, relentless building of our program to the great levels we know today.  We can measure the events and achievements – from Deuce to Offenburger to Leahy  up to your tenure and have the evidence to back up any claims.  Thank You Bruce Rassmussen. Thanks are not enough, but will have to suffice as I am on a pensioners budget down here.  Hopefully, the new Prez will give you a new set of golf clubs.

 

Champions: If not now...when?

 

All good things must end and since you’ve got a couple years on me, passing the baton surely has crossed your mind.  No hurry mind you, but continuity is a critical issue.  You have a wonderful, creative, and efficient staffing.  I had thought you might want to bring in someone off one of your many lists, perhaps Caruso.  But doing so could/would potentially upset the fruit cart, breaking down a well-oiled machine and possibly undermining excellent team chemistry and efficiencies.  New guys in-charge always want to put their little stamp of approvals on any and everything that moves, will often change stuff just to be able to sign off on “My new plan, my new Ops procedures, etc.”, and tend to undervalue current policies, plans, and procedures that are working fine – in favor of change for change’s sake.

So… In favor of continuity, smooth transitions, and (good) business as usual, I have shifted my position from bringing in an outsider to promotion from within the staff.  Yes, there are fine candidates outside who would probably be good hires (this isn’t UOregon, UTexas). However, you have 3 excellent Associate ADs and any one of them will make a fine new athletic director.  They all have the benefit of working with you for years, having intimate knowledge of the Creighton goals, they are well versed with the master plan and milestones, and most importantly are loyal to the Hilltop.  Better candidates will be hard to find.

Enough already.  You know I like to ramble, so I’ll end it here at a reasonable length. Have a great Socctoberfest.

–  gtmo

Jim Harvey, CU ’79  @gtmoBlue

DGGC3nAVwAAZKpF
Dawn of a New Era at Creighton – Courtesy of Creighton Athletics