NCAA Basketball: Baylor rises, Kentucky falls in latest 2023-24 WTE power rankings
By Joey Loose
9. Creighton
Creighton opened last season with monster expectations, and while their record wasn’t as impressive as expected, they did live up to those with their run to the Elite Eight. The Bluejays boasted what was possibly the strongest starting five in the nation last year, leaning heavily on those five players, none of whom were seniors. While Creighton is just as talented this season, the faces leading the pack are a little different.
Arthur Kaluma and Ryan Nembhard both transferred, but Baylor Scheierman, Trey Alexander, and Ryan Kalkbrenner all returned, with Kalkbrenner recently withdrawing from the NBA Draft process. Coach Greg McDermott has been proactive, landing former Utah State point guard Steven Ashworth to fit right into the offense. Former Memphis guard Johnathan Lawson should also play a role for a team that may lean less heavily on just five specific guys.
In a perfect world, all five of those starters would’ve returned, but Creighton still looks mighty strong with what they have back. Adding Ashworth is a game changer and they’re getting additional seasons out of both Kalkbrenner, a dominant big man, and Scheierman, an athletic forward who can shoot the ball. Creighton looks impressive in the preseason again, we’ll just have to see how this season progresses, as injuries derailed their early momentum last year.