With conference play underway the Jays are still in the mix for the Big East championship, despite their 0-2 start in the conference. The Jays ended the non-conference schedule with a big time win at home against a solid Alabama team. The Jays then had a quick turn around and had to take on Villanova. This game was especially important because the greatest player in Creighton history Doug McDermott had his number retired. McDermott won the national player of the year in the 2013-2014. Unfortunately, the Jays were unable to close out the game as they blew a 14 point second half lead.
The Jays then had to go on the road to take on the 10th ranked Marquette Golden Eagles. The Jays battled but were unable to pull off the upset. The following week the Jays fell out of the AP poll for the first time all season. The Jays then bounced back in a big way winning 5 of their next 6 games.
After Marquette, the Jays stayed on the road and defeated a rebuilding Georgetown team led by Junior guard Trey Alexander who scored 25. The Jays then returned home where they escaped with a win over a scrappy Providence team who was without star forward Bryce Hopkins, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. The Jays continued their hot streak with a win against the total dumpster fire of DePaul. DePaul is currently 3-15 and recently fired their head coach. Then the Jays had another challenge when the St. John’s Red Storm and new head coach Rick Pitino came to town. The Jays struggled early but were able to escape with a hard fought victory.
The Jays then had their hardest test of the season so far when they had to go on the road to Storrs, Connecticut to face #1 UConn. Once again the Jays had a rough night and couldn’t get anything to fall. The Jays also did a terrible job on the glass as UConn grabbed 21 offensive rebounds.
Up next the Jays took on the Seton Hall Pirates and it was arguably the best game of the entire college basketball season. The Jays won a triple overtime thriller. The Bluejays were led by Senior big man Ryan Kalkbrenner who had 28 points, nine rebounds and a career high seven blocks. Then with tired legs the Bluejays faced Xavier in Omaha. The Jays really struggled in this game but were able to pull out a win behind a big second half from the Aurora native Baylor Scheierman.
The Jays then had another home game where they played DePaul for the second time. The Jays really struggled in the first half of this one but were still able to hold a 3 point lead at the half. The Bluejays then had a huge second where they out scored the Blue Demons by 20.
The Bluejays then hosted the Butler Bulldogs. The Jays were unable to get a stop this game and they ended up losing 99-98 despite four Creighton players scoring 20 points.
Creighton’s recent success has been due to the play of point guard Steven Ashworth. Ashworth has faced a lot of criticism this year as he didn’t live up to the hype during the non-conference. But, since conference play started his defense has taken a huge jump and he has started to shoot the ball better. He also is the conference leader in assist to turnover ratio.
