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Big East Basketball Power Rankings: Creighton, Georgetown emerging

By Lukas Harkins

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 21: Mac McClung #2 of the Georgetown Hoyas reacts after a three pointer during the first half of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Madison Square Garden on November 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 21: Mac McClung #2 of the Georgetown Hoyas reacts after a three pointer during the first half of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Madison Square Garden on November 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 03: Zegarowski of the Bluejays is defended. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 03: Zegarowski of the Bluejays is defended. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Creighton put forth easily its best defensive effort of the season during this past week during an impressive home win over Oklahoma. The Bluejays held the Sooners to just 40.5% shooting from the field (25.0% from three) in that game as the team secured its third win over a KenPom top-100 team.

I have had my concerns regarding Creighton’s defense throughout the opening month of this season, but I am starting to come around. Head coach Greg McDermott’s team might never be a strong defensively but they are improving and that is all that matters considering their ridiculous offensive firepower.

With regard to individual performers, Denzel Mahoney made his Creighton debut against Oklahoma and showed his worth on the floor. He played 29 total minutes in the win while supplying 14 points (3-for-9 FG). In addition to just his box score statistics, though, Mahoney was disruptive defensively with his strength and athleticism at 6-foot-5.

He definitely improves Creighton’s rotation on the wing and should continue to make a major impact moving forward. Mahoney is a difference-maker that everyone in the Big East should note before conference play begins.

With that said, though, the backcourt duo of Marcus Zegarowski and Ty-Shon Alexander is the engine that drives this team. Those two are combining to average 36.8 points per game as the headlining pieces of this offensive juggernaut. Creighton can absolutely fill it up from 3-point range and the team rarely turns the ball over. The Bluejays can quickly light up the scoreboard on just about any opponent and that makes them extremely dangerous moving forward.

Creighton has posted four of its best defensive performances of the year in its last four games (per T-Rank). That improvement is worth noting.

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