Creighton Basketball: Projecting the starting lineup

PF: Ronnie Harrell, Junior

Ronnie Harrell could finally make the impact that many fans envisioned when he committed to the Jays. Harrell was a highly rated high school recruit who has yet to earn consistent minutes in his Creighton career. The 6’7’’ forward played well towards the end of last season and looks poised to lock down the starting PF position.

Harrell averaged 2.6ppg and 1.9rpg in just 26 games, but, in their NCAA Tournament game against URI, he posted 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Look for the junior forward to average around 8ppg and 5rpg this season.

While Harrell is a bit undersized for the position, his rare point forward skillset could pose matchup problems for opponents. Based on their roster makeup, Creighton should play a bigger wing, like Harrell, as a small ball four since Foster and Thomas will play a majority of the wing minutes.

If Harrell struggles, Creighton could slide Toby Hegner into the lineup. Hegner is a fifth-year senior who is the prototypical stretch four. Listed at 6’10, Hegner can play both the four and the five and will be Harrell’s primary backup.

Even though he is only 6’3, Marcus Foster could see some time at “power forward” if Creighton opts to go super small. Creighton’s strength and depth is on the wing so if Foster occasionally plays the four, it could be a way to get freshmen Mitch Ballock and Ty-Shon Alexander more minutes.

This would make Creighton extremely dangerous offensively, but they would probably struggle on the glass and Foster, despite his strength, would struggle to guard much taller players.

Harrell looks like he will win the starting job and make a major jump as a junior.