Wichita State 62, Creighton 61 (OT); Creighton 67, Fresno State 62
No Love on Valentine’s Day
Be honest. How many of you thought the Jays had almost no chance on the road against Wichita State, with Josh Dotzler joining the rest of his injured mates on the end of the Bluejay bench? Don’t be shy … go ahead and raise your hands.
Raising hands is exactly what everyone at The Blue Room at Pauli’s was doing Valentine’s Night. A strong contingent of Jays fans packed the smoke-free, freshly decorated addition to the favorite Omaha pub, content to watch Dana Altman’s Jays travel to Wichita and try to steal a game from evenly matched WSU.
Long story short, the Jays lost. They were down early, played hard to get back into the game, took a lead in the second half, gave the lead away, made some key plays to force overtime, took the lead in the extra frame early, and lost on a last-second three-pointer after missing some clutch free-throws in the last 3 minutes.
Sure, everyone was frustrated. And yes, people wished they had pulled out the win. But it wasn’t because people expected them to do so, and they weren’t mad at the players or overly peeved by where the Jays were in the standings after the conclusion of the contest. It was because people in Omaha – and Jays fans around the world – love this team.
On a night when most people celebrated with their significant other the love in their relationship, Jays fans celebrated by watching the team that has amorously captivated thousands of Creighton fans.
They love Nate Funk’s hustle and toughness.
They love Johnny Mathies’ silent-but-strong leadership and resiliency.
They love Anthony Tolliver’s focus and determination.
They love Dane Watts’ strength, which is being tested by mononucleosis.
They love Josh Dotzler’s maturity, uncanny for a true freshman.
They love Nick Porter’s ability to play lock-down defense.
They love Pierce Hibma’s workman-like attitude (and that he’s part of the Iowa Connection).
They love Jimmy Motz’ condor arms.
No, wait; they love Dominic Bishop’s condor arms (and his floor-slapping, always-smiling demeanor).
They love Brice Nengsu’s oozing potential, and his willingness to learn.
They love Jeff Day’s support for his teammates.
They love Manny Gakou’s smile and excitement every time he steps on the court and puts in his mouth guard.
They love Dustin Sitzmann’s reigning three-pointers, especially against Nebraska.
This team continues to defy the injuries, and the tough Missouri Valley Conference schedule, and a city – and a fan base – as taken notice.
So while the Jays left Wichita without a win, there’s no doubt they arrived in Omaha with a few additions to a growing group of people who love this team.
The Qwest Center (and Downtown Omaha) (Bracket) Bustin’ at the Seams
Be honest. How many of you thought the Jays had almost no chance on the road against Wichita State, with Josh Dotzler joining the rest of his injured mates on the end of the Bluejay bench? Don’t be shy … go ahead and raise your hands.
Raising hands is exactly what everyone at The Blue Room at Pauli’s was doing Valentine’s Night. A strong contingent of Jays fans packed the smoke-free, freshly decorated addition to the favorite Omaha pub, content to watch Dana Altman’s Jays travel to Wichita and try to steal a game from evenly matched WSU.
Long story short, the Jays lost. They were down early, played hard to get back into the game, took a lead in the second half, gave the lead away, made some key plays to force overtime, took the lead in the extra frame early, and lost on a last-second three-pointer after missing some clutch free-throws in the last 3 minutes.
Sure, everyone was frustrated. And yes, people wished they had pulled out the win. But it wasn’t because people expected them to do so, and they weren’t mad at the players or overly peeved by where the Jays were in the standings after the conclusion of the contest. It was because people in Omaha – and Jays fans around the world – love this team.
On a night when most people celebrated with their significant other the love in their relationship, Jays fans celebrated by watching the team that has amorously captivated thousands of Creighton fans.
They love Nate Funk’s hustle and toughness.
They love Johnny Mathies’ silent-but-strong leadership and resiliency.
They love Anthony Tolliver’s focus and determination.
They love Dane Watts’ strength, which is being tested by mononucleosis.
They love Josh Dotzler’s maturity, uncanny for a true freshman.
They love Nick Porter’s ability to play lock-down defense.
They love Pierce Hibma’s workman-like attitude (and that he’s part of the Iowa Connection).
They love Jimmy Motz’ condor arms.
No, wait; they love Dominic Bishop’s condor arms (and his floor-slapping, always-smiling demeanor).
They love Brice Nengsu’s oozing potential, and his willingness to learn.
They love Jeff Day’s support for his teammates.
They love Manny Gakou’s smile and excitement every time he steps on the court and puts in his mouth guard.
They love Dustin Sitzmann’s reigning three-pointers, especially against Nebraska.
This team continues to defy the injuries, and the tough Missouri Valley Conference schedule, and a city – and a fan base – as taken notice.
So while the Jays left Wichita without a win, there’s no doubt they arrived in Omaha with a few additions to a growing group of people who love this team.
The Qwest Center (and Downtown Omaha) (Bracket) Bustin’ at the Seams
The Jays needed to bounce back. Those same thousands of adoring fans were counting on it, and a post-Valentine’s date with national television and a sold-out Qwest Center Omaha was to be the scene for Altman’s team to get back on track.
Talk about pressure. Add to it the day-long media frenzy surrounding all of the Valley teams partaking in ESPN’s BracketBuster Saturday contests, with the Jays concluding the day’s action at 11 P.M., and the Dotzler-less Jays would need to find a way to prove they can beat an athletic team who causes match-up problems at the forward positions.
Fresno State was that team, but I don’t really know if any other BracketBuster opponent could have left Omaha with a win.
The atmosphere around downtown Omaha all afternoon and evening was palpable; those in attendance this night were going to be the litmus test of just how popular Creighton hoops has become. Most people infatuated with Bluejay basketball debated for days whether or not the late start and lack of a highly regarded opponent would spell doom for a capacity crowd that officials hoped for.
They were wrong.
What do 15,700 fans sound like? Ask the nationwide television audience that watched Creighton lead Fresno from start to finish. Better yet, ask the Jays fans in attendance (the ones who weren’t too drunk to forget); it is sure to be a game they will remember forever.
The score wasn’t nearly as impressive as the 100-69 rout of Chattanooga in last season’s made-for-television mid-major match-up, but the result is arguably more impressive. The Jays needed this one. They are banged up (again), trying to bounce back from a loss (again), and unsure as to what the next couple weeks will hold (as always).
They needed a win. The fans needed a win. The city needed a win (and lots of sappy publicity from The Worldwide Leader in Sports).
Anthony Tolliver (17 points, 8 boards), Johnny Mathies (13 points, 5 rebounds), Nick Porter (12 points, 9 rebounds), and Pierce Hibma (7 points, 7 caroms) made sure everyone got what they needed. The crowd left happy (and slightly inebriated) and Jays fans could go to sleep a little easier.
Too bad the same can’t be said for Altman and his team. The next two weeks will test the true mettle of this team. Or is that really the case? No matter what happens in the last two regular season games and at Arch Madness in St. Louis, this team will have defied adversity to stake its claim as one of Altman’s most tenacious and strong-willed squads. Don’t let anyone fool you – this team has accomplished so much given what they’ve dealt with in the last couple of months.
But you can bet Altman, his players, and Jays fans will hear none of that talk. There is so much left to achieve; this is the time last year when Nate Funk and Mathies and Jimmy Motz and Tyler McKinney took equal responsibility and finished the year on a winning note.
Who will step up and do that again? Whoever it is will have a throng of fans – and a city of thousands – behind them.
Talk about pressure. Add to it the day-long media frenzy surrounding all of the Valley teams partaking in ESPN’s BracketBuster Saturday contests, with the Jays concluding the day’s action at 11 P.M., and the Dotzler-less Jays would need to find a way to prove they can beat an athletic team who causes match-up problems at the forward positions.
Fresno State was that team, but I don’t really know if any other BracketBuster opponent could have left Omaha with a win.
The atmosphere around downtown Omaha all afternoon and evening was palpable; those in attendance this night were going to be the litmus test of just how popular Creighton hoops has become. Most people infatuated with Bluejay basketball debated for days whether or not the late start and lack of a highly regarded opponent would spell doom for a capacity crowd that officials hoped for.
They were wrong.
What do 15,700 fans sound like? Ask the nationwide television audience that watched Creighton lead Fresno from start to finish. Better yet, ask the Jays fans in attendance (the ones who weren’t too drunk to forget); it is sure to be a game they will remember forever.
The score wasn’t nearly as impressive as the 100-69 rout of Chattanooga in last season’s made-for-television mid-major match-up, but the result is arguably more impressive. The Jays needed this one. They are banged up (again), trying to bounce back from a loss (again), and unsure as to what the next couple weeks will hold (as always).
They needed a win. The fans needed a win. The city needed a win (and lots of sappy publicity from The Worldwide Leader in Sports).
Anthony Tolliver (17 points, 8 boards), Johnny Mathies (13 points, 5 rebounds), Nick Porter (12 points, 9 rebounds), and Pierce Hibma (7 points, 7 caroms) made sure everyone got what they needed. The crowd left happy (and slightly inebriated) and Jays fans could go to sleep a little easier.
Too bad the same can’t be said for Altman and his team. The next two weeks will test the true mettle of this team. Or is that really the case? No matter what happens in the last two regular season games and at Arch Madness in St. Louis, this team will have defied adversity to stake its claim as one of Altman’s most tenacious and strong-willed squads. Don’t let anyone fool you – this team has accomplished so much given what they’ve dealt with in the last couple of months.
But you can bet Altman, his players, and Jays fans will hear none of that talk. There is so much left to achieve; this is the time last year when Nate Funk and Mathies and Jimmy Motz and Tyler McKinney took equal responsibility and finished the year on a winning note.
Who will step up and do that again? Whoever it is will have a throng of fans – and a city of thousands – behind them.
posted by Creighton Otter at 10:38 PM
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