Creighton 63, Norfolk State 47
Sleepwalking
Last week’s victory against Norfolk State (2-9) signified Creighton’s first true letdown in almost a dozen days. On back-to-back Sundays, the Jays dismantled in-state rival Nebraska in front of 15,000-plus fans, and then came from behind to notch a hard-fought win against Xavier before 13,500 Jay backers.
The Spartans are a step below both the Huskers and Musketeers in talent, and with the game just a few days before the holiday season hit full tilt, who could blame the fans and the Jays for not being as excited for a middle-of-the-week showdown against a losing opponent? Anthony Tolliver led four Bluejays in double figures with 14 points, and the Jays seemed to coast along for much of the 40 minutes.
Well, just consider the relatively easy 63-47 win one last nap before two straight months of no sleep – and I’m not just talking about the coaching staff. Tonight marks the start of the Missouri Valley Conference season, which promises to be one of the toughest Valley seasons to date.
Already in the relatively short basketball season, the mighty Mo Valley has garnered plenty of publicity, mostly focusing on the conference’s RPI mark heading into the New Year.
From top to bottom, this Valley looks to be as deep (pun intended) as any in the recent past. There will be no easy games, no RPI-killers on the schedule, for the next two months, which will lead to many sleepless nights for coaches, and not allow for any sleepwalking by the Jays.
It all starts tonight against a 7-1 Missouri State team (the Artist formerly known as Southwest Missouri State) leading the Valley in scoring, rebounding, field-goal shooting, and three-point percentage. The always-animated Barry Hinson brings his experienced Bears squad to the Qwest Center for the conference opener, a place where Blake Ahern and the rest of last year’s Bears won a see-saw battle. A don’t think the Bears are going to be hibernating after playing a relatively easy non-conference schedule; they’ll be ready tonight in a hostile environment.
And so begins the tough Valley slate. With so much praise from national and regional media right now, the spotlight is on the Valley to fulfill what some soothsayers have predicted for this conference – three (and, um, possibly four) bids to this year’s NCAA tournament.
That is not a dream, it is reality. And it starts tonight.
Last week’s victory against Norfolk State (2-9) signified Creighton’s first true letdown in almost a dozen days. On back-to-back Sundays, the Jays dismantled in-state rival Nebraska in front of 15,000-plus fans, and then came from behind to notch a hard-fought win against Xavier before 13,500 Jay backers.
The Spartans are a step below both the Huskers and Musketeers in talent, and with the game just a few days before the holiday season hit full tilt, who could blame the fans and the Jays for not being as excited for a middle-of-the-week showdown against a losing opponent? Anthony Tolliver led four Bluejays in double figures with 14 points, and the Jays seemed to coast along for much of the 40 minutes.
Well, just consider the relatively easy 63-47 win one last nap before two straight months of no sleep – and I’m not just talking about the coaching staff. Tonight marks the start of the Missouri Valley Conference season, which promises to be one of the toughest Valley seasons to date.
Already in the relatively short basketball season, the mighty Mo Valley has garnered plenty of publicity, mostly focusing on the conference’s RPI mark heading into the New Year.
From top to bottom, this Valley looks to be as deep (pun intended) as any in the recent past. There will be no easy games, no RPI-killers on the schedule, for the next two months, which will lead to many sleepless nights for coaches, and not allow for any sleepwalking by the Jays.
It all starts tonight against a 7-1 Missouri State team (the Artist formerly known as Southwest Missouri State) leading the Valley in scoring, rebounding, field-goal shooting, and three-point percentage. The always-animated Barry Hinson brings his experienced Bears squad to the Qwest Center for the conference opener, a place where Blake Ahern and the rest of last year’s Bears won a see-saw battle. A don’t think the Bears are going to be hibernating after playing a relatively easy non-conference schedule; they’ll be ready tonight in a hostile environment.
And so begins the tough Valley slate. With so much praise from national and regional media right now, the spotlight is on the Valley to fulfill what some soothsayers have predicted for this conference – three (and, um, possibly four) bids to this year’s NCAA tournament.
That is not a dream, it is reality. And it starts tonight.
posted by Creighton Otter at 9:15 AM
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