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Big East Basketball: Projecting each team’s key player production for 2021-22

By Trevor Sinodhinos

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 09: Julian Champagnie #2 of the St. John's Red Storm looks on during a college basketball game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 9, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 09: Julian Champagnie #2 of the St. John's Red Storm looks on during a college basketball game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 9, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Big East Basketball Creighton Bluejays Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Big East Basketball Creighton Bluejays Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

Creighton: KeyShawn Feazell and Shereef Mitchell

Decrease in production: KeyShawn Feazall

After averaging seven minutes and one point per game during three seasons with Mississippi State in the SEC, Feazell a 6’9 forward transferred to the Southland Conference where he averaged 29 minutes,13 points, and nearly 10 rebounds for McNeese State.

That breakout senior season attracted enough attention that the 2021-22 season will be Feazell’s return to a major conference. Feazell will be one of five new starters for head coach Greg McDermott, but the center position is the position that is most in flux due to 7’1 / 245 pound Ryan Kalkbrenner.

As a freshman, Kalkbrenner averaged six points in under 14 minutes per game with a ‘per forty minutes’ average of 17 points and over ten rebounds. Feazell is capable of spending time at the power forward position, but even with that opportunity, the continued development of Kalkbrenner will chip away at Feazell’s production.

Increase in production: Shereef Mitchell

On their way to a 14-6 Big East record, Coach McDermott and the Bluejays had eight players average double-digits in minutes with Shereef Mitchell being one of those players. With an average of fewer than 15 minutes per game, Mitchell averaged slightly over three points and started in just two games, the two Marcus Zegarowski missed two in mid-January. The short-lived two-game stint as a starter included two of his three highest minute totals and one of his double-digit scoring performances.

As a former Nebraska Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year, while routinely averaging over 20 points in high school, the athletic 6’0 guard will form a small but effective backcourt with freshman Ryan Nembhard. With only Trey Alexander – another freshman- as a regular option at either guard position, Mitchell’s minutes and production are sure to increase.

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