NCAA Basketball: Strengths/weaknesses of each top-25 team for 2022-23

NCAA Basketball: Strengths and weaknesses of each top-25 team for 2022-23 season

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 02: Jeremy Roach #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Creighton Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Creighton Bluejays

Strength: Breakout potential of multiple players

A year ago, Creighton had the highest-ranked ever recruiting class in program, with several top-100 individuals. Those players (Ryan Nembhard, Arthur Kaluma, Trey Alexander) all had fantastic freshman campaigns and are set to have big sophomore seasons. Coach Greg McDermott has done wonders with less-talented players so the expectations are correct that these underclassmen should are be breakout candidates.

And assuming that South Dakota State transfer Baylor Scheierman can somewhat replace leading scoring forward Ryan Hawkins production from last season, the Bluejays can be the favorites to win the Big East next season and even more.

Weakness: Defense

Creighton’s defensive wasn’t nessecarily “bad” last season but in some areas they were certainly below average. Defensive rebounding and creating turnovers were two issues that the team can be weak at and could be an issue down the ine.

As good as Scheierman is offensively, he can be a liability on the other end, as are many players that transfer over from the Summit League. So if he’s a downgrade from Hawkins on the wing, that could have a negative effect on the Bluejays overall. The offense should blossom next season but the defense needs to be above average if they’re going to be legit second weekend contenders in March.

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