Surprising Jays News

New MTE in Las Vegas

A brand new, NIL driven, Multi-team Event was announced a little over a week ago. The so-called “Players Era NIL” tourney is sponsored and backed by Redbird Intl Media Investments and operated by Intersport (who operates several current MTE’s). The event, which may list under one or more names, is scheduled to take place Thanksgiving week in Las Vegas. The 2024 event will fall under the banner of an weeklong event called the Players Era Festival (modeled on the NBA AllStar week festivities). Eight teams will participate in the initial event as either an 8-team tourney or 2 4-team MTE’s – yet to be determined. Teams are guaranteed at least $1 Million USD, for their participation – to be distributed by their collectives to the players.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/nil-driven-las-vegas-college-basketball-event-with-millions-paid-to-schools-is-nearly-finalized/

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10120622-report-creighton-to-join-alabama-houston-more-in-1m-nil-driven-cbb-tournament

It was announced on Twitter (@CreighTakes) this past Friday, that Creighton University; has commited as the 8th and final team for the 2024 event. The Jays reportedly have signed a 3-year commitment with the event, as have several other participants. Organizers state the event will expand to 16 teams in 2025 and beyond.

BIG NEWS: Creighton is the 8th and final team in the new Players Era NIL Event in Las Vegas this year. Each team participating will be paid $1 million dollars💰

The field includes: Houston, Alabama, Oregon, San Diego State, Rutgers, Texas A&M, and Notre Dame.

Every team wanted…

— CreighTakes (@CreighTakes) May 11, 2024

Creighton has opted to withdraw from the prestigious Battle 4 Atlantis tournament to join the Players Era NIL event in Las Vegas, which offers each participating team a payment of $1 million. This decision, influenced by the financial incentives and the growing importance of NIL…

— Dick Weiss (@HoopsWeiss) May 11, 2024

We will have more information as it is released and available by event sponsors.

Pre-season #1 to Visit Omaha/Play Creighton next fall.

University of Kansas Jayhawks are scheduled to visit Omaha to play the Bluejays. The tilt is scheduled as part of the final season of the Big East/Big 12 Challenge series.

BREAKING: KANSAS WILL PLAY CREIGHTON IN OMAHA NEXT YEAR. #RDJ🔵⚪️

— CreighTakes (@CreighTakes) April 23, 2024

Kansas has had the best offseason so far and is expected to be preseason #1.

I wonder what happened last time the #1 team came to Omaha.

— CreighTakes (@CreighTakes) April 24, 2024

Recruiting News

There have been a few snippets of news on the recruiting front. The Jays got commits from 2 players in the Transfer Portal for 2024. SF Jamiyah Neal (ASU) signed on 24 Apr 2024 and PG/Combo Richard “Pop” Isaacs commited on 29 Apr 2024.

https://gocreighton.com/sports/mens-basketball/archives

There have been several HS Recruits visiting the Hilltop. 2025 recruits C Eric Reibe, 4-Star & SF/SG Hudson Greer, 4-star. A bunch of winter & spring offers to new 2025 recruits. See Bluejayunderground.com

Had a great official visit at Creighton University, thank you for the hospitality🙏#GoJays 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/r6qoqUdsBi

— Eric Reibe (@eric_reibe) May 7, 2024

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/made-hoops-westmania-recruiting-rumor-mill?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly90LmNvLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGse-SnNTk3UcBQqeVDlobtQnUNbCL4_nttyKfpubcP6ocBb19K7eMwWYf1veWaMrHCjF_Bzx-rXUJZ4sFWi0ARwTziiow6f7DBHrqxjShR3usvAQC3spkvy4yKUGPR44r7e__6VvSPp8TxmGgd8D0Bc8MQJd_Z68G9xR3vLrkSN

Greetings from @madehoops WestMania in Orange County.

Just spoke with four-star F Hudson Greer (2025), who says he's looking into make a return trip to Creighton in addition to possible visits to Alabama and Arizona this fall. pic.twitter.com/g28XISyjkr

— Rob Cassidy (@Cassidy_Rob) April 20, 2024

And a big surprise to many, including yours truly… A recent visit (May 11th) by 2024 recruit C/PF Maxim Logue, 18 y/o French player with extensive FIBA experience. Mac & Co. trying to sneak one in, under the wire.

Maxim Logue is currently on a visit to Creighton🐦

The 6’9 big man is from Paris, France and is one of the top international prospects🇫🇷

He has played in big tournaments like the Euro Cup and FIBA events.

Welcome to Omaha Maxim! 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/Sd6HCM6Wqp

— CreighTakes (@CreighTakes) May 11, 2024

https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2024/5/11/24153888/byu-basketball-transfer-visit-ucla-transfer-berke-buyuktuncel-france-maxim-logue-creighton-nebraska

Stay tuned as this offseason appears to be one of the most active, exciting, & fruitful offseasons in recent Jays history.

James Harvey / gtmoBlue

2nd Weekend Dancin’ – BEast on its’ way…

While the Big East fanbases were calculating and judging for a 5-7 team showing in this 2024 NCAA Basketball Tournament, the committee thought otherwise. The NCAA Selection Cmte awards dance bids to only 3 Big East teams, while lesser conferences showed 4, 5, 6, or more bids. Even the Mountain West and the Pac -12 got more bids than the Big East. A story for another day (see bottom link).

Win the Weekend: All 3 Big East representative teams have made the 2nd weekend.

They’re all still dancing 😌 pic.twitter.com/erVzBnuq2M

— BIG EAST MBB (@BIGEASTMBB) March 25, 2024

Defending NCAA Champion Connecticut is rolling steadily along. The media pundits are extolling UConn’s virtues and the Huskies game consistently. Many stating the Huskies are destined to repeat as seemingly no other team appears to be in their stratosphere. The talking heads say no remaining tourney team can match UConn’s current dominance.

The ESPN guys – Borzello, Gasaway, and Medcalf all see the Big East teams advancing, with Gasaway poo-pooing Creighton v UTenn.

The CBS talking heads –

TH	Uconn	Marquette	Creighton
Parrish	CG	EE
Norlander	Champ	EE	FF
Boone	Champ	EE
Cobb	EE	FF	EE
Salerno	CG	EE
Patterson	Champ	EE	EE
Palm	CG	EE	EE
gtmoBlue	CG	FF	Champ
*Champion	Champ
Champ Game	CG
Final Four	FF
Elite Eight	EE

Needless to say I’m a bit more hyped on the BEast contingent. Looking for all 3 to make the Final Four. Jays vs Gonzaga in the regional finals. I see UConn v lil Cr8n in the Championship Game. Lil Creighton wins their 1st NCAA Basketball Championship. After all the Jays own UConn – they are 7-2 vs UConn all-time.

Just Sayin’

Jim Harvey, a.k.a. gtmoBlue

Big East Remains Unbeaten In NCAA Tournament After Only Three Bids