A Rivalry Renewed.
St. Thomas Tommies (+25.5) vs #9 Creighton Bluejays 7:30 FS1
These teams last met in 1976, it was also the home opener then for the Creighton Bluejays who handled them well winning 79-39. Creighton’s all time record is 8-1 against the St. Thomas Tommies in a “rivalry” that has gone all the way back to 1953. The last time these teams played, the then-College of St Thomas had no women, which did not begin until the fall of 1977.
Creighton was polled to finish first in the Big East, after returning 4 starters, and adding super transfer Baylor Scheierman, who also knows St. Thomas well. He scored 15, and 23 points respectively against UST in his two games he played with the Jackrabbits.
Creighton Starting 5
#25 F Arthur Kaluma
One of Three CU freshman listed on the Big East All Freshman team, averaged 10-5-1 in his freshman campaign. Scored an impressive 24 in their March Madness game versus eventual national champion Kansas.
# 11 C Ryan Kalkbrenner
Their 7-0 giant who is going to be a tough matchup for any St. Thomas players. The reigning Big East defensive player of the year. He also led the Big East in OREB%, Offensive Efficiency, and plus/minus which was a good complimentary play to the Creighton tendency of shooting the long ball. He is thee player to watch tonight.
#2 Ryan Nembhard
Last season’s Big East ROY. He is a true playmaker, is able to get the ball to Creighton’s arsenal of scorers. His ball security last season was iffy, he personally gave up the second most in the conference at 85. He had a season ending wrist injury in February of last season, and was not available for their post season run.
#23 Trey Alexander
Creighton’s midrange and perimeter defensive threat. Also has an ability to go up and get boards at 6-4. Local media has described him as a Combo Guard, who was quoted this week as saying “Im not gonna shoot the ball as bad as I did last year…at all.” He did not earn starting minutes until the back half of the season. After Nembhard’s injury he was able to take a step up and run Creighton’s Offense.
#55 Baylor Scheierman
An elite weapon, his off season acquistion by the bluejays, has fed the Creighton Pre-Season hype. An Aurora, Nebraska native, he is also likely to be a crowd favorite. I am excited to see how many of the 18,000 tonight are wearing headbands. Summit League player of the year last season. It will be a tall order for John Tauer to gameplay a way to guard both he and Kalkbrenner while they are on the court, they might need a sixth man in order to do so.
How St. Thomas could win.
The Bluejays last season were not disciplined with the basketball, giving it up 20% of the time–ranked 308th nationally. St. Thomas needs to take advantage of their extra possessions. Creighton had a down year shooting from 3 last season, ranked 308th in the country for a team that brands itself with the phrase “Let It Fly.” Having the ability to scoop up those long missed three pointers away from Kalkbrenner will be key to keeping it close in this one.
Last season Creighton surrendered on average 25 three point attempts per game to their opponents over the first five games. St Thomas will likely get good looks as the Creighton team learns to play together early, if they can make them at their usual rate it could cause Greg McDermott some problems. Creighton fans sing a Budweiser song before every game which is just fine for Tommie Fans because we know It’s Miller Time.
Score Prediction Creighton 85-St Thomas 74
Last year Creighton struggled with availability due to injury down the stretch, if they start jumping ahead I think Greg will open up the bench, leading to a closer finish than expected.