NCAA Basketball: 8 biggest takeaways from 2023 NBA Draft deadline results

Creighton gets both Trey Alexander and Ryan Kalkbrenner back for next season

The Bluejays had five starters that averaged double figures and it was a stressful offseason for the fanbase, waiting for all of them to make a decision. It was a couple of months of ups and downs, as wing Baylor Scheierman opted to come back for a 5th year, while point guard Ryan Nembhard entered the transfer portal to go to Gonzaga. Forward Arthur Kaluma also went into the portal as well.

That left two players, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Trey Alexander. The big man was first, electing to come back for another year. Kalkrenner led the team with 15.9 ppg and 6.1 rpg and is a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year. Making things even better, the team’s second-leading scorer is also set to return.

Alexander averaged 13.6 ppg and 4.2 rpg, shooting 41% from three-point range. The 6’4 guard was the best pure scorer on the roster and without two double-digit scorers around, has a chance to put up even loftier stats. Utah State transfer Steven Ashworth is another 40+% three-point shooter and Creighton could have the best pure shooting backcourt next season.

Losing 40% of a team’s Elite 8 starting lineup is never ideal but the Bluejays may have brought back its three best players. And that should be good enough for another preseason top-15 ranking. We’ll see if the rest of the rotation can be good enough to keep them near the top of the Big East.