Category: college basketball 365

Down the Stretch…

On By @gtmoblueIn college basketball 365
…and at the wire…


Well, here we are in Mid-February. The Jays had a great January run, going 9-0 for the month. They have been ranked in both major polls for the bulk of the season, falling out this past week.

Creighton is having a great season thus far…amassing a 21-3/11-3 record heading into Week 14. The Jays had lost at UNI on 04 February, on a last second, buzzer beating shot. They went on to lose again at Evansville on the 7th of February and were shocked at home with a blowout loss to WSU on 11 Feb 12. Poor defense, coupled with turnovers and a shooting slump resulted in the worst week of this season – the Jays going 0 fer 3 during the week. Creighton, which had been receiving preferential media and polls treatment heretofore, was summarily bounced from both polls (from 17th in the AP, and from 15th in the ESPN-Coach’s polls). That is more like it…no more media darling.
At 21-5 for the season, many of the fair weather fandom and the national media were pillaring the Jays, and abandoning ship for greener pastures. Many went so far as to suggest we are heading to the CBI/CIT again. Several of our ‘fans’ laid forth all of their vitriole, disgust, and diatribes on the players and the head coach. Boy – were those fans happy. They had not had much of an opportunity to rail and spew forth their venom all season – to date. So at least they had an opportunity to vent.
This week the Jays broke the MVC shooting percentages record (a 20 year old mark) against the Saluki’s and moved to 22-5/12-4 on the season. They await a visit from Dan Monson and his Long Beach State club on Saturday – a part of the Bracketbuster’s fiasco.
The final week of the regular season is next week. CU has a very slim chance of tying WSU for the conference crown. WSU has already secured at least a tie for the RS Championship. The Jays are the only team with any chance to catch them and will probably finish alone in 2nd place.
Seedings for the MVC Tourney will come out next week – the Jays the likely 2-Seed. Creighton is still firmly ensconced as a 6-Seed in the NCAA Bracket projections this week. Closing out the regular season with wins should maintain these projections. (Although media projections and the actual selection committee picks could be miles apart) With some Big Six conferences weaker this season, it appears that more non-Big six teams may get a shot in the NCAA’s. That however is a projection based on weaknesses in the SEC, ACC, BE, and PAC-12. The committee may not agree with their infamous “S Curve”.
The next two weeks should prove to be very interesting and entertaining.

Rounding the Far Turn…

On By @gtmoblueIn college basketball 365

Rounding the Far Turn…at the Mid-season mark…
entering the Stretch Run.


Well here we are…at the midpoint of the conference season, and the Jays are 8-1
or 9-1 (now). Most had expected to be doing well at 7-2 or even 6-3. None had
predicted the absolutely marvellous level of success that Creighton has experienced
thus far this season. No one guessed they would become this good, this fast…
NOT EVEN gtmoBlue. Keep it going Bluejays.
CU is 19-2 / 9-1 in the MVC. They have amassed a nine game win streak since
losing the Valley opener to the defending champs – Missouri State. The Jays (along
with WSU) have opened a 3 game lead over the rest of the conference field. It appears
the championship of the MVC will go through Omaha this season.
All is well with the world.
Oh, right! And the Bluejays are ranked as well – in both the Coach’s and AP major polls.
The Creighton.rivals.com site recently posted an article by Matt Perrault on the youth of this
Jays squad. His point was that CU Coach Greg McDermott’s team is set up for sustained high level performance…
that this season is the beginning of a consistent high profile for this club.
On that point I concur wholeheartedly.
To that I add that it is about time.
For an OLD diehard fan such as I, I have waited YEARS for this time. Loving It!!
If I could do a cartwheel I would, as the Jays are finally embarking upon the elite level of play
that I and others have been hoping, praying, and predicting for – for years.
gtmo’s so-called “Creighton Era” in sports.
2011 has seen great play and competition from Creighton: Baseball, men’s and women’s Soccer,
Volleyball have all been competitive and have achieved good to great seasons.
The other sports are showing improvements. Now the CU hoopsters have their opportunity to shine,
and are making the most of this season.
It may seem presumptive to some, but I believe that CU has ‘arrived’, that we have in fact begun the Creighton Era.
The hardest work has been done: the preparations, the recruiting, the teaching and coaching,
the facilities and fiscal support – in all our major sports.
We are now seeing the benefits, the fruits- across the board, of all that hard work.
I am convinced that we will now witness the pinnacle of collegiate sports successes. I believe that we shall witness our Bluejays become Champions, NCAA Champions, in 2-3 sporting venues.
There is no doubt that my glasses are Blue, that I overindulge in the Creighton Kool-aid, and that I generally am too optimistic and over-the-top when it comes to Creighton Sports.
That being said, I expect the Jays to excel. I expect the Jays to exceed their Coach’s expectations, their own team expectations, and even our collective fan expectations.
I am fully convinced that our Bluejays will bring home Championships: exempt tourney championships, MVC Championships, and yes – National Championships!
My Jays, Our Jays can do this. Our Bluejays will do this. Represent Creighton Bluejays, represent. Be Champions.
Go Big Blue, Go Creighton!
gtmo
PS: Jays vs Cancer game with Bradley – this Saturday.
Pink Uni’s (gtmo got Punked…and outbid on # 13)