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Butler Basketball: Keys to success vs. Creighton at home in 2019-20

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 21: Bryce Nze #10 of the Butler Bulldogs shoots the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the Crossroads Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 21, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 21: Bryce Nze #10 of the Butler Bulldogs shoots the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the Crossroads Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 21, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/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) /

Opponent Intel: Creighton Bluejays (12-2)

Creighton is a true offensive juggernaut in every sense of the term. With electric guard play and a superb schemer on the sidelines in head coach Greg McDermott, the Bluejays can score on just about anyone. Most notably, good luck slowing their 3-point shooting. Over two-fifths of Creighton’s total shot attempts this season have come from beyond the arc yet the team is still managing to connect on 37.7% of those shots. Coach McDermott emphasizes putting his players in their best positions to succeed and that means prioritizing the 3-point shot.

Leading the way in this category for the team is the three-headed monster of Marcus Zegarowski, Ty-Shon Alexander, and Mitchell Ballock. As the team’s star players, the Bluejays’ offense runs through these three and it works extremely well. Over the course of Creighton’s first 14 games this season, they are combining to average 48.2 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game while shooting 115-for-269 (42.8%) from three. They have each started every game.

Joining them in the starting lineup are undersized forwards Damien Jefferson and Christian Bishop. Although these two start at the “4” and “5” spots in the lineup, they only stand at 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-7, respectively. With that said, though, they play well above their height while averaging over five rebounds per game each. They also use their quickness and athleticism to disrupt opposing bigs. Jefferson and Bishop understand their roles on the team rarely force the issue. They are combining to shoot just 40-for-70 (57.1%) at the free-throw line, though.

As for reserve contributors, Denzel Mahoney is easily the most important. Although he has only played in Creighton’s last four games, the SEMO transfer has made an instant impact as another small-ball forward. He stands at 6-foot-5 but sees the majority of his minutes in the frontcourt. Mahoney has averaged 12.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in his first few contests and gives Creighton another dimension up-front. Mahoney, along with Jefferson, can excel as a perimeter-four with the ability to attack the basket off the bounce.

Freshman guard Shereef Mitchell is also worth mentioning as the main reserve in the backcourt. He is a local product averaging 4/2/2 in 19.0 minutes per game.

Considering Creighton ranks 313th in reserve utilization (24.3% bench minutes), those are the main pieces to monitor for the Bluejays. They all bring a little something different to the table and understand their role as part of the whole, though.