Creighton Basketball: Can Bluejays shoot their way through March?

Evidence of a one-win ceiling

The clearest evidence that the Bluejays will not reach the Sweet 16, is the exact evidence that could be used to argue they will make the Sweet 16. So, in order to pre-empt the counter-argument and foreshadow the refutation, almost 39 percent of Creighton’s points originate from beyond the three-point line.

At almost ten made three-pointers per game the Bluejays connect on the second-most in total while their 37 percent is also good for second in Big East play. The thing with three-pointers is that they are worth more because they are more difficult to make.

Due to Marcus Zegarowski and Marcus Ballock connecting on almost three per game, the Bluejays are never out of a game if the duo is connecting. However, if we have learned anything from the proverb from the Gospel of Matthew ‘ live by the three, die by the three.

The problem will be compounded further if Creighton happens to be missing shots. They will not be able to get extra possessions as their offensive rebounding is eleventh in the conference. In addition, 7’0 freshman Ryan Kalkbrenner has made it difficult for Coach McDermott to give him steady minutes due to his inability to guard frontcourt players that can handle the ball.

Another by-product of their three-point shooting is the lack of attempts they get from the free-throw line. With an average of fewer than seventeen attempts per game, the Bluejays do not crack the top 250 in the nation. Which for all extensive purposes might be a blessing in disguise as the Bluejays are not among the top 280 teams with their 68 percent success rate at the free-throw line.