Creighton Bluejays 2015-16 Season Preview

Creighton Bluejays

2014-2015 Record: 14-19 (14-19,Big East)
Postseason: None

The 2015-2016 Creighton Bluejays enter the season looking to return to tournament play now in the second year since Doug McDermott’s graduation.

Head Coach Greg McDermott is tasked with integrating a large cast of newcomers alongside one or two key upperclassmen to compete in the relatively strong Big East.

For all those lovers of Creighton Basketball who are used to seeing their team as some kind of “under the radar” darling, this is not the year to believe that is possible.

This is a rebuilding program right now, trying to figure out the post Doug McDermott era.

Departures

G – Austin Chatman
G – Devin Brooks
G – Avery Dingman
F – Will Artino
F – Ricky Kreklow

Key Returners

G – Isaiah Zierden
G – James Milliken
F – Toby Hegner
F – Zach Hanson
C – Geoffrey Groselle

Newcomers

G – Marlon Stewart (#72 PG 247Sports)
G – Khyri Thomas ( #77 SG 247Sports
G – Malik Albert (Transfer from Mott [MI] CC)
G – Drew Cayce
G – Maurice Watson Jr. (Transfer from Boston)
G – Marcus Foster (Transfer from Kansas State-eligible in 2016-2017)
F – Ronnie Harrell Jr.
F – Alex O’Neill
F – Cole Huff (Transfer from Nevada)
F – Martin Krampelj (Grosuplje, Slovenia)
C – Justin Patton (#22 C 247Sports)

Projected Starters

G – Malik Albert
G – James Milliken
F – Cole Huff
F – Toby Hegner
C – Geoffrey Groselle

Key Reserves

G – Maurice Watson Jr.
G – Isaiah Zierden
G – Marlon Stewart
G – Khyri Thomas
F – Martin Krampelj
F – Zach Hanson
C – Justin Patton

Key Non-Conference Games

Nov. 19@ Indiana – The first major conference opponent represents a huge opportunity for the Bluejays. Indiana is likely to finish in the top third of the Big 10 and primed for a more substantial season than in recent years.

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Add in the fact that the game will be played in Bloomington means that Creighton has a great chance to see how their almost completely new roster handles adversity in a tough environment.

Dec. 2 vs. Arizona State – Squaring of with the Sun Devils in Omaha will show just how well the roster has gelled at the half-way point of the non-conference schedule.

Dec. 19 @ Oklahoma – This game against the OU Sooners is probably unwinnable as Oklahoma has a chance to win the Big 12 and make a Final Four run. However, they are the most highly-regarded team Creighton will play outside of the Big East. Creighton has a big chance to play spoiler right before both teams start conference play.

Key Players

James Milliken – Milliken is the likely starting off-guard and represents one of only two seniors on the team. He finished second on last season’s squad in scoring with 9.6 ppg while adding 2.6 rpg and 1.8 apg. He also shot well from distance at a mark of 39%. His leadership will be absolutely vital to a team that needs an identity right away with so many fresh faces.

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Cole Huff – The former Wolfpack player is a strong contender to start. His stats from his last season at Nevada are quite respectable with averages of 12.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg with 40% from three-point range on top. He provides a ton of versatility with his 6’8″ frame and is a great link between the few remaining team incumbents and the huge number of newcomers.

Justin Patton – Patton is the huge get from this season’s recruiting class. He comes to Creighton right out of the school’s back yard in Omaha, NE and while he possibly won’t start, he is the shining future for the team.

Team Outlook – With so many new players to integrate, the Creighton Bluejays are a mystery. They will almost assuredly finish better than last year’s 4-14 Big East record but beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess. My prediction is a middle-tier finish in conference, and NIT bid, and a first-round exit with sky-high potential.

Next: South Carolina Gamecocks 2015-16 Season Preview

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Creighton Basketball: Creighton Bluejays 2015-16 Season Preview

By Doug Winkey | Oct 21, 2015