Creighton Basketball: Blue Jays season review

Creighton basketball took a step in the right direction last season due to the offensive prowess of Maurice Watson Jr.

In their first season without Doug McDermott, the 2014-15 Creighton Bluejays finished five games below .500, proving that the small forward is one of the best players in program history.

But head coach Greg McDermott prepared for his son’s departure by landing three transfers in a matter of two offseason’s. This helped the Bluejays take a step in the right direction last year.

Creighton finished with a record of 20-15, finished .500 in the Big East (good for sixth in the conference) and made the quarterfinals of the NIT. They knocked off the second best team in their conference, Xavier, at CenturyLink Center and also won at Seton Hall.

While McDermott’s squad did lose three games in a row to wrap up the regular season, they were close to the NCAA Tournament bubble and won two home games in a row against Alabama and Wagner in the NIT.

Cole Huff, a versatile forward and transfer from Nevada, played his first season with the Jays this past year and finished as the team’s second leading scorer (11.3 points per game). Huff came on late in the year, as he scored 21 points in a loss to Xavier and a career high 35 points (and nine rebounds) in a Big East Tournament defeat at the hands of Seton Hall.

But the newcomer that completely changed the dimension of the program was former Boston University point guard Maurice Watson Jr. The lead guard was the team’s leading scorer at 14.1 points per game and the team’s leading assist man at 6.5 per game. He shot an efficient 48 percent from the field and even grabbed 3.4 rebounds per outing.

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Watson struggled with turnovers and shot a poor percentage from three, but he impacted the game with every dribble, his quickness was lethal in transition and his competitiveness is off the charts.

Most importantly, Watson’s ability to penetrate and kick is perfect for Creighton’s style of play. The Blue Jays love to use the three ball to their advantage as they possessed knock down shooters Isaiah Zierden, James Milliken and Huff. Toby Hegner is also a versatile, stretch four man who was capable of hitting threes and freshman Khyri Thomas can add the occasional long ball.

Watson impact offensively is noteworthy, but can also make plays defensively despite his small stature (5’10”). He’s not the best defender due to his lack of strength compared to other Big East guards, but his quick hands, aggressiveness and stingy mentality helped him snag a steal per game.

Behind Kris Dunn of Providence and Ryan Arcidiacono of Villanova, Watson was the league’s most valuable point guard. He got the Jays into their offensive sets, used his quick burst to blow past opposing defenders and was able to energize the home crowd with his savvy ball handling skills.

The scary thing about the Bluejays is Huff and Watson will return for their final season’s of college basketball and they will have another full offseason to improve. McDermott will also have the luxury of Marcus Foster, a former Kansas State guard, who sat out last season as a transfer. Foster has two seasons of eligibility remaining and will form one of the best backcourt duos in the country next year, alongside Watson.

Foster can put the ball in the basket with ease and will be the perfect compliment to Creighton’s terrific lead guard.

Next: 10 best National Championship finishes of all time

The Bluejays may have been in trouble for one season without Doug McDermott but there is no question this program is making their living with valuable transfers who are changing the complexion of the squad in Omaha.

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Creighton Basketball: Bluejays season review

By Carmine Carcieri | Apr 26, 2016

Creighton basketball took a step in the right direction last season due to the offensive prowess of Maurice Watson Jr.

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