Creighton Bluejays Men’s Basketball: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Schedule for 2023-24

Estimated read time 9 min read

The Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team is a college basketball team that represents Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. The Bluejays compete in the Big East Conference and play their home games at CHI Health Center Omaha.

  • Team Name: Creighton Bluejays
  • Short Name: Bluejays
  • Team Owner(s): None, the team is owned by Creighton University
  • Prominent Players:
    • Doug McDermott (2010-2014): Two-time All-American, led the nation in scoring in 2013-14
    • Paul Silas (1968-1972): NBA All-Star, played for 16 seasons
    • Kyle Korver (2000-2001): NBA All-Star, played for 18 seasons
    • Ethan Wragge (2010-2014): Led the nation in three-pointers made in 2013-14

The Bluejays have a long and storied history, dating back to 1900. They have won 17 conference championships, including four Big East titles. They have also made 23 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the Elite Eight in 2013.

Some of the most prominent players in Bluejays history include Doug McDermott, Paul Silas, Kyle Korver, Doug Gottlieb, Ethan Wragge, and Ryan Arcidiacono. McDermott is the all-time leading scorer in Bluejays history, and he was the consensus national player of the year in 2013. Silas was a two-time All-American, and he went on to play in the NBA for 16 seasons.

Korver is one of the best shooters in NBA history, and he has won five NBA championships. Gottlieb was a two-time All-Big East selection, and he went on to become a successful college basketball analyst. Wragge was a three-time All-Big East selection, and he set the Bluejays’ single-season record for three-pointers made. Arcidiacono was a two-time All-Big East selection, and he helped the Bluejays reach the Elite Eight in 2013.

The Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team is a proud tradition, and they have a bright future ahead of them.

History about Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball Team

Here is some information about the Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team’s history:

  • Founded: 1900
  • First Conference Championship: Missouri Valley Conference (1922)
  • First NCAA Tournament Appearance: 1951
  • Best NCAA Tournament Finish: Final Four (1974)
  • Current Conference: Big East Conference
  • Current Coach: Greg McDermott

The Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team has a long and storied history. The team was founded in 1900 and has won 11 conference championships. The Bluejays have made 18 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with their best finish being a Final Four appearance in 1974.

Some of the team’s most notable moments in history include:

  • 1922: The Bluejays win their first conference championship, the Missouri Valley Conference.
  • 1951: The Bluejays make their first NCAA Tournament appearance.
  • 1974: The Bluejays reach the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, their best finish ever.
  • 2013: Doug McDermott leads the nation in scoring, averaging 26.7 points per game.
  • 2014: The Bluejays win their first Big East regular season championship.
  • 2022: The Bluejays reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

The Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team is a proud tradition of Creighton University. The team has had a lot of success over the years, and they continue to be a contender in the Big East Conference.

Coaching Staff Information about Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball Team

Here is some information about the Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team’s coaching staff:

Head Coach: Greg McDermott

  • Greg McDermott is the head coach of the Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team. He has been with the team since 2010, and he has led the Bluejays to six NCAA Tournament appearances. McDermott is a former head coach at Iowa State and Northern Iowa. He is a two-time Big East Coach of the Year.
  • Coaching Philosophy: McDermott’s coaching philosophy is based on discipline, hard work, and unselfish play. He wants his teams to be tough on defense and to share the ball on offense.

Assistant Coaches:

Alan Huss

  • Alan Huss is an assistant coach for the Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team. He has been with the team since 2013. Huss is a former head coach at Wayne State College and Northern State.
  • Coaching Philosophy: Huss’s coaching philosophy is based on player development and team unity. He wants his players to be well-rounded individuals who are both good players and good people.

Paul Lusk

  • Paul Lusk is an assistant coach for the Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team. He has been with the team since 2014. Lusk is a former head coach at Bradley and Southern Illinois.
  • Coaching Philosophy: Lusk’s coaching philosophy is based on creating an environment where players can reach their full potential. He wants his players to be confident and to play with a sense of urgency.

Ryan Miller

  • Ryan Miller is an assistant coach for the Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team. He has been with the team since 2018. Miller is a former assistant coach at Wisconsin and Northern Iowa.
  • Coaching Philosophy: Miller’s coaching philosophy is based on teaching the game of basketball and helping players develop their skills. He wants his players to be able to play the game at a high level and to have fun doing it.

Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball Team information about players

NameJerseyPositionHeightWeightYear in High SchoolRating
Ryan Kalkbrenner11Center7’1″245 lb20195-star
Ryan Nembhard2Guard6’5″190 lb20205-star
Trey Alexander3Guard6’6″195 lb20214-star
Bershawn Scheierman4Guard6’6″210 lb20224-star
Alex O’Connell24Guard6’6″205 lb20183-star
Arthur Kaluma5Forward6’8″220 lb20214-star
KeyShawn Feazell12Forward6’8″220 lb20224-star
Mason Miller14Guard6’4″195 lb20224-star
Rati Andronikashvili15Guard6’5″185 lb20223-star

This is just a small sample of the many talented players on the Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team. The team is loaded with potential, and they are looking to make some noise in the Big East Conference and the NCAA Tournament this year.

Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball Team’s last 10 years of records

YearOverall RecordConference RecordPostseason
2022-2323-1214-6NCAA Tournament: Sweet 16
2021-2222-1314-6NCAA Tournament: Round of 32
2020-2122-910-8NCAA Tournament: First Round
2019-2024-914-4NCAA Tournament: First Round
2018-1923-1113-5NCAA Tournament: First Round
2017-1820-1410-8NIT: Second Round
2016-1721-1311-7NCAA Tournament: Second Round
2015-1622-1111-7NCAA Tournament: First Round
2014-1523-1112-6NCAA Tournament: Second Round

As you can see, the Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team has been a consistent winner over the past 10 years. They have made the NCAA Tournament in 8 of the 10 years, and they have reached the Sweet 16 in 2 of those years. The team is looking to continue their success in the years to come.

Season Preview: Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball Team

Here is a discussion of the upcoming season for the Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team:

Major changes to the roster:

The Bluejays are coming off a successful 2022-23 season, in which they won 23 games and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. The team returns a number of key players, including Ryan Kalkbrenner, Ryan Nembhard, Trey Alexander, Bershawn Scheierman, Alex O’Connell, Arthur Kaluma, KeyShawn Feazell, Mason Miller, and Rati Andronikashvili.

Team’s strengths:

The Bluejays’ strengths this season will be their size, athleticism, and depth. Kalkbrenner is one of the best centers in the country, and he will be a force in the paint. Nembhard and Alexander are both talented guards who can score and create for others. Scheierman is a versatile player who can play multiple positions. O’Connell is a solid shooter who can also play on the wing. Kaluma, Feazell, Miller, and Andronikashvili are all talented young players who are expected to make contributions this season.

Team’s weaknesses:

The Bluejays’ weaknesses this season could be their lack of experience and their defense. The team lost a number of key players from last season, and they will need the younger players to step up and contribute. The Bluejays’ defense was also inconsistent last season, and they will need to improve in that area if they want to be successful this year.

Potential challenges they may face:

The Bluejays’ schedule this season is challenging. They will face a number of tough opponents, including Villanova, UConn, Seton Hall, and Xavier. The Bluejays will also play in the Big East Tournament, which is always a competitive event.

Overall, the Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team is a talented team with a lot of potential. They have the size, athleticism, and depth to be successful this season. However, they will need to improve their defense and get some experience if they want to reach their full potential.

Bluejays’s upcoming games:

Creighton Bluejays Schedule

DateOpponentLocation
November 9Kennesaw StateCHI Health Center Omaha
November 12South DakotaCHI Health Center Omaha
November 14at Oklahoma StateGallagher-Iba Arena
November 17at BaylorFerrell Center
November 19at Texas TechUnited Supermarkets Arena
November 22at UCLAPauley Pavilion
November 25at USCGalen Center
November 27vs. OregonMGM Grand Garden Arena
December 2at Saint Peter’sRun Baby Run Arena
December 4at Seton HallPrudential Center
December 7vs. OklahomaCHI Health Center Omaha
December 10at ProvidenceDunkin’ Donuts Center
December 12at GeorgetownCapital One Arena
December 17vs. XavierCHI Health Center Omaha
December 21vs. IowaCHI Health Center Omaha
December 29at VillanovaFinneran Pavilion
January 1vs. UConnCHI Health Center Omaha
January 4at MarquetteFiserv Forum
January 7vs. Seton HallCHI Health Center Omaha
January 10at ButlerHinkle Fieldhouse
January 14vs. XavierCintas Center
January 17at ProvidenceDunkin’ Donuts Center
January 21at GeorgetownCapital One Arena
January 24vs. VillanovaCHI Health Center Omaha
January 28at UConnGampel Pavilion
February 1vs. MarquetteCHI Health Center Omaha
February 4at Seton HallPrudential Center
February 7vs. ButlerCHI Health Center Omaha
February 11at XavierCintas Center
February 14at VillanovaFinneran Pavilion
February 18vs. ProvidenceCHI Health Center Omaha
February 21at GeorgetownCapital One Arena
February 25vs. UConnCHI Health Center Omaha
March 1at MarquetteFiserv Forum
March 4vs. ButlerCHI Health Center Omaha
March 7Big East TournamentMadison Square Garden

FAQs about the Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team

1. What is the team’s nickname?

The Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team is nicknamed the Bluejays. The nickname was originally chosen in 1924, and it is believed to be a reference to the blue jay bird, which is a common sight in the Omaha area.

2. What is the team’s home arena?

The Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team plays its home games at the CHI Health Center Omaha. The arena is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it has a capacity of 18,000.

3. Who is the team’s head coach?

The Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team is currently coached by Greg McDermott. McDermott has been with the team since 2010, and he has led the Bluejays to six NCAA Tournament appearances.

4. What are the team’s colors?

The Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team’s colors are blue and white. The team’s uniforms are typically blue jerseys with white lettering, and white jerseys with blue lettering.

5. What are the team’s most notable achievements?

The Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team has won 11 conference championships, and they have made 18 appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The team’s best finish in the NCAA Tournament was a Final Four appearance in 1974.

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