The Creighton Bluejays basketbal team came to St Louis on a business trip. The trip was all about coming to St Louis to win the MVC Missiouri valley championships. The Bluejays had to really dial down in the last 3 weeks to try and regain the form that has seen them rise to as high # 12 in the national poles.
Creighton’s arrival and stay in St Louis was shrouded in secrecy, as the players were under tight schedules and restrictions.
players were relieved of their cell phones, I pads and other communications gear.
The Bluejays were very methodical in the first 2 games of the MVC tournament, with players stepping up and getting back in the groove just at the right time.
After an episode of planes, trains and automobiles, We arrived in St Louis, MO on Friday morning with enough time to check in to the hotel, get a bite to eat and get to the game. Now that is holding it down big boy style.
Creighton layed the smack down on Drake, than proceeded to dismantle Indiana State (alma mater of Larry Bird). Jahenns had a great individual battle with former NEDA and team Canada member Mangisto Arop. Arop got his individually, by taking shots from all over the half acre.
Jahenns blanketed Arop whenever it was his defensive assignment, and did a great job getting his other teammates involved. Jahenns is definitely the spark that makes the Bluejays go.
In the Championship game, the Bluejays stayed in command the whole game by having players execute their roles and step up Huge. Ethan Wragge hit 5 treys in the game, Greg Eghenique was a beast on the boards and rejecting shots. Doug McDermott was just Doug, even though his scoring was down in this game. Doug was named the MVP of the tournament for the second consecutive year.
Lots of chatter down hear about Doug McDermott leaving early for the NBA draft, and the Creighton Bluejays leaving the MVC and moving to the Big East. Both of these issues are huge, and time will tell how both things play out. stay tuned.
Lastly, even though my opinion my be slightly biased, Jahenns played a monster game today. It is the kind of game and the kind of stat line that a phoenix guy grows up having, and produces on whatever team he is on. Jahenns was a force on both ends of the floor.
see stats below. 39 minutes (this guy is a beast)
The 3 pointer late in the game and then the driving layup with 11 seconds sealed the deal and punched Creighton’s ticket to the NCAA big dance, by virtue of and automatic bid.
I got to see Jahenns on the floor right after the game, and I got to spend a little time with Jahenns and Doug McDermott back at the hotel. The team plans for the rest of the day were:
Ice down, and treat any injuries
Put on their recovery pants
Dinner in one of the upstairs ballrooms
Pack, and head for St Louis airport
Arrive in Omaha at around 11:30pm, central time.
Take a couple of days off.
Get up Wednesday morning at school. and do it again, as they prepare for whoever they play in the NCAA tournament.
Again, it very emotional seeing Jahenns down on the floor right after the game. This meeting was more of a relief for Jahenns, because he had been struggling with his scoring in the past month. Jahenns told me that he had not scord a point agains Witchata State in their 2 previous meetings. Well, he took care of that today. Leading the team in scoring with 16 pts.
This was a successful trip, and it has only energized me for our upcoming season. Let go get it.
HOME TEAM: Creighton 27-7; 13-5 MVC
## Player Name FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF TP A TO BLK S MIN
03 McDermott,Doug…… f 5-13 0-3 4-5 0 4 4 3 14 0 2 0 0 28
00 Echenique,Gregory… c 3-7 0-0 3-4 7 4 11 4 9 1 2 6 0 32
01 Chatman,Austin…… g 0-5 0-2 1-2 0 2 2 1 1 7 1 0 2 36
10 Gibbs,Grant……… g 3-6 2-2 3-5 1 5 6 3 11 7 1 0 0 36
12 Manigat,Jahenns….. g 6-11 4-8 0-0 0 5 5 2 16 3 2 1 0 39
Coach Dub,
Heading South to the Indiana/ Kentucky border
