…and so it begins: Hawkins kicks it off!

The end of a successful 2020-21 Season has come and gone. The Jays have weathered several changes thus far. All five starters have decided to move on, whether via graduation (3), entering the NBA Draft (3) and one surprise transfer. Two of our walk-on players have also opted to move on, in hopes of securing a position at a lower level school, so they can get some PT. Good luck to all.

Additionally, 2 assistant coaches have moved on to better paying? positions. Coach Lusk back to Purdue and Coach Rencher to Oklahoma State. Good luck to both of these fine coaches. We wish them well.

Creighton has since hired replacement coaches in Jalen Courtney-Williams (from Miss St/McNeese St) and Ryan Miller (from TCU). Coach Williams is a young upstart with strong recruiting background and identifies with players. Coach Miller is more experienced, with several stops and is a very strong recruiter. He is also Mason’s uncle with ties to South Dakota and this area. Jays are also talking with HOF Jay Coach Ben Walker. Hopefully, we can fill a position with Ben, and welcome him back home.

To begin with Commit Mason Miller signed his LOI recently during the Spring signing period. This was a foregone conclusion as Mason has been and continued to be a solid commit. As we all know TyTy Washington moved on. So the Jays have 3 signed Frosh commits in Miller, Ryan Nembhard, and John Christofilis. Miller and Nembhard are both Top 100 at 247, Rivals, and ESPN. Christofilis is the best pure shooter in the country and grossly underrated.

The Jays have been extremely active during this period. Making numerous offers in the 2021, 22, 23, and 2024 classes. The coaches have also been beating the bushes in the gigantic Transfers Portal, making select offers to both bigs and guards. The Jays also have a couple of tricks up their sleeves…stay tuned.

The 1st transfer to bear fruit is a great one. D2 PoY for the D2 Champion NW Missouri St., PF Ryan Hawkins. 6-7/220. 2020-21: 54% 2pt, 46% 3pt, 76% FT (176). Avg’d 22.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg, with 73 assists. Hawkins is a winner with 3 Nattys in his 4 years at NWMS. He hails from nearby Atlantic, Iowa. Being close to home was a key factor. He gained offers from several D1 schools including KU and the Jays.

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/high-school/recruiting/2021/04/28/cyclones-hawkeyes-recruiting-division-ii-transfer-iowa-native-ryan-hawkins-northwest-missouri-state/7382783002/

Welcome to the Hilltop Ryan.

Hawkins is the 1st of several to come this Spring. #RollDamnJays!

Season ends in Sweet Sixteen to #1 and Top Seeded Gonzaga

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It turned out to be a pretty good season.

Congrats to my Jays on a great season. With Covid, game cancellations, game rescheduling, and all the rest, it was a very good season amid all of the uncertainties.

1st SS since ’74 and all. Good job Jays…3 games in the Dance so picked up some credits, Nice. Made a SS Run and acquitted ourselves well in the Dance. Well done Bluejays!

However,…

It is unconscionable to me that we whiffed on the 2020-21 Big East RS Championship AND the BET Championship!
Opportunities such as those don’t arrive annually (unless you live in Radnor Township) and to whiff on BOTH is unacceptable.

There is no trophy for a SS run, so history will show 000’s for the 20-21 season.

ANY TEAM that gets a championship opportunity MUST take advantage of the opportunity as it is so fleeting…(congrats Hoyas!) Jays and Mac must do better. Who knows when we may get another championship opportunity. Next season will probably have some falloff as we will be a very young team.

It has been a good year for Creighton Basketball, but the 2020-21 season had the potential to be even sweeter.

Championships define programs… as does failing to capitalize on opportunities.

#RollDamnJays!