Jays a 3.5 point under dog.

I thought the Big East performed pretty much how I thought they would. Seton Hall was emotionally drained from their BE tourney run and looked to have run into a Zags team playing at a pretty high level. Providence and Butler ran into really good UNC and UVA teams. I thought Butler played pretty well even though they lost. The BE could have used Xavier getting into the sweet 16. X struggled to get the game to their style. Wisconsin is the team that wanted the game in the 60's. X didn't execute well down the stretch and Koenig hit some big shots.

I also wanted to comment on the UNI collapse. We all thought Creighton blowing a double digit lead with a couple minutes left was bad, but is nowhere near the UNI up 12 w/ 40 some seconds left with a sweet 16 birth on the line. A lot of people were killing Coach Mac for that collapse. Are those same people thinking less of Ben Jacobson today? What about Dana? His Oregon team blew a 7 point with 27 seconds left vs AZ in the Pac 12 tourney semi-final (AZ missed a FT w/ no time left to win, OR eventually won in OT).

*

I like this match up vs Seton Hall in our opening game in the BE tourney. Seton Hall is feeling themselves after finishing the season really strong and assuring themselves an NCAA tournament bid. SH isn't playing for an NCAA tourney birth and this isn't a must win for them. Remember this is the same team/program that has known to be a little immature and inconsistent. Remember the butt kicking we gave them in NJ? This is the same team whose stars were benched the majority of the 2nd half in that game and we've seen Delgado cry at times on the bench. The guy who has had a positive impact from a leadership, defensive, work ethic, and maturity stand point has been Derrick Gordon. He is questionable for the game and did a great job guarding Mo here in Omaha. Usually our team has done a good job with scouting reports and we've noted in the past how many of Seton Hall's guys are one-handed.

Now Seton Hall caught us in a bad spot earlier after that crushing defeat at Georgetown. We were essentially even on the boards for the game in NJ, but lost the rebounding battle 46-27 here in Omaha! Without looking, I would guess that was the most lop sided battle of the season for the Jays. If the Jays can compete on the boards, I love them to advance.

So we have repeatedly asked coaches why Hegner does not play in the second half. We have got a variety of reasons--mostly centered around matchups and his inability to play defense. Ok I get that a little. But then you look at the guys that replace him on D, Dingman and Kreklow and I see no improvement. In fact one could make an argument its worse.

Case in point tonite. Toby busts his ass on D in the 6 minutes he was in the game. Nobody burned him and he grabbed 2 boards. He then goes to the bench. The second half starts and we go with a different line up. All we see for most of the halfis Nova taking it to the hole and scoring every time. So my point is if we are going to give up hoops anyway--why not give Toby some more experience. And since the season is a bust why not give him reps so he improves. We have had second half collapses by the bushel this year and one constant is that Toby is not on the floor. If he's not good--fine don't start him. But since you think he's good enough to start give him some playing time in the second half.

I hate to say this but it almost seems like they are doing this intentionally so he will get pissed and leave. Sorry but I have no other answers to this bizarre substitution pattern. Thoughts?

anyone else surprised that mac said if mo can't go that malik would start?

i would have thought that he'd slide IZ to the point

i kind of read this as conceding this game - and wonder if he'll rest a lot of the other bunch of walking wounded.

if mo does play - i hope he has a quick hook if he gimps around like he did in 2nd half.

if he can get rested and healed enough to maybe steal that first round BET game - vs this one - i think it's the right decision. winning that should put us in the NIT.

even with a healthy Mo - this game was going to be a tall order considering everything (revenge, their terrible shooting in that game, sr night, Cintas, etc.)

movin on...

anyone visiting for this one?

hope james and geoff get a proper send off - and in turn send st johns packin...

This game has me very nervous but hopefully the team got healthy in all the time they've had off.

Tonight: Seton Hall is at Marquette and Georgetown is at DePaul.

I'm taking Marquette and DePaul

Sounds like Ochefu is unlikely to play. Geoff is making the trip to Philly, the team is leaving right now. From what I've heard Geoff probably isn't playing however.

I'm creating this now to help myself and others trying/needing to move on. Sat. can not come soon enough. I thought this was our best chance for a win for the 3 game stretch ending at Nova. I expect the Jays to be favored anywhere from 3-5 points. I am worried about the hangover effect from the Gtown game and Seton Hall will be motivated bc of the butt kicking we gave them in NJ. I'm hoping the team can execute the scouting report again defensively and knock down some shots on O. I'm also hoping that the big pink out crowd on a Sat night will energize the team and not allow the hangover to linger.

This team is exceeding my expectations. They have improved since the beginning of the season and I do think they are NCAA tourney talk worthy. A win Sat. keeps us on track to make some noise.

The Hoyas are a 2.5 point favorite. This is a game that Creighton should win. Creighton is better, better coached and Georgetown doesn't have a crazy atmosphere or home court advantage.

As everyone knows $1 beers before the game and the Jays open up favored by 2.5

Haven't seen a point spread yet. I think I'm going to be a homer and take the money line.

Also, Ty-Shon and Davion will be at their first Jays game so show them some love if you see them.

Jays favored by 20.5 right now.

Ok who has the scoop on this guy? I have heard that he is a Dental Student who came from another undergraduate university where he was the Mascot of the Year. Anyone know more or whether this is true. He does the pretty incredible stuff. I am looking forward to seeing more incredible stuff during the conference games.

Here is the preview for the game, the Jays are favored by 3 on the road https://creighton.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1833608

Jays are currently a 6.5 point favorite.

Ok. Disappointing loss to IU but no harm no foul. Bad losses are everywhere in college hoops. San Diego St losing to UALR, Chattanooga beating IL, just a couple off the top of my head over the weekend. Looks like Creighton is around a 12 point fav. I don't think highly of Rutgers at all. As the point spread indicates, I like the Jays to kill them.

was taking a quick look at their roster after watching a few minutes of their last blowout against Austin Peay.

They aren't extraordinarily big inside.

- Thomas Bryant looks to be a very good freshman starting at center comes in at 6-10, 245. Has a bit of range on his jumper, but has only taken one 3 this year and mostly done his work around the paint. He can block shots and elevate, so work inside will be tough.
- At forward are Max Bielfeldt - SR (6-8, 240) and Troy Williams - JR (6-7, 215). Both are pretty big and active and Williams can shoot the 3 a bit, but it's not a big part of his game. Off the bench they have Colin Hartman - JR (6-7, 215). Another frosh, Og Anunoby 6-8, 215 also plays some minutes off the bench.
- Bielfeldt is a SR transfer from Michigan and an inside banger who will test Huff inside, but I suspect will struggle to stick with him on the perimeter.
- Williams is a leaper/slasher and a great athlete. He and Thomas should have some highlights in their matchups.
- These guys have done decent work, but they aren't the offensive focus of what the Hoosiers do this year. They crushed Eastern IL on the boards, but only outrebounded Austin Peay 30 to 25.
- Depth wise, we match up pretty well with their Centers/forwards and shouldn't be at a big disadvantage when both teams get into bench play.

The guards are where I am more worried:

- Ferrell is a 6-1 SR PG who scores all over (17.3, and 16.3 the past 2 years)
- Blackmon is a 6-4 SG who is a load from outside and on the boards (15.7 last year with 5.3 rebounds a game)

Add in SR Ziesloft 6-4) and Robert Johnson (6-3) Soph, and their depth at guard is tremendous. This will be among the best sets of guards we face this season.

Overall they score points, so this will be a high scoring affair, IMO. They were also a poor defensive team last year. Bryant helps with that, but it remains to be seen whether or not they can be a top notch defensive team or an even good defensive team. Our guards are going to have to step up big to guard the perimeter while our bigs have to provide the difference, IMO, if we are to come away with a win.

The staff was really torn about this. What is everyone's thoughts? I'm in favor of it.

Most of you I'm sure saw this but if you didn't the Jays will be playing in the Paradise Jam MTE in the Virgin Islands next year. The tourney run Friday thru Monday Nov. 18th thru 21st. That's 3 games in 4 days--you get a off day either Saturday or Sunday depending on if you win or lose your first game. It's not the greatest field in the world with NC State the only real headliner. A bunch of other teams who we could get home and homes or even buy games fill out the field including past foes Ole Miss, Oral Roberts , St Joe's and Loyola.

Despite the field there are a couple of great things about this event--
1) It's not a crap ass Maury Hanks event
2) Most of the tourney is covered by CBS Sports--including semis and finals
3) The tourney runs the weekend before Thanksgiving so any holiday plans are not screwed up by the event
4) And most importantly-Its in the Virgin Islands!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am plannning to go so--so for any of you planning to also attend we will have some sort of Bluejay Banter.com event. Details to come.

Tonight on the only year-round Creighton sports talk show, we'll talk to CBSSports.com's Gary Parrish about the Big East and the upcoming basketball season. I think there's a chance that that ridiculous 50 states of college basketball thing might come up, too. Plus, we each go through Creighton's schedule game by game and predict whether each game will be a win or a loss. It's without question the most productive use of our time.

We're live tonight and every Monday night on 1620 The Zone, 1620thezone.com and the 1620 The Zone apps.

Heath, I noticed a post on twitter from practice. Will the Banter team be providing minor updates throughout the preseason?

Appreciate the insight.

Just found out the closed door scrimmage this season is at Mizzou