Creighton 65, Missouri State 59
Surviving the Trap
February might be the shortest month of the year, but for college hoops fans it is a 28- (sometimes 29- ) day period packed tightly with meaningful hoops.
There are so many seasons within the season. So many streaks and slumps. Creighton’s in the midst of its second 9-game winning streak of the season, but that doesn’t mean things have been firing on all cylinders for each and every player. The mark of a good team is being able to have more than one go-to guy; having any number of players on a team that can make a big shot when needed, or grab a needed rebound, or just exert some hustle to gain the team an extra possession.
Last night’s win on the road against Missouri State, in a trap game to the tenth degree, was the tale of two role players who stepped up and did all of the above. And because of that, the Jays have a title chance on Saturday.
Witter Fights Back
Back in December, on Creighton’s first night in Las Vegas, Cavel Witter dropped a very point guard-like night on the Bulldogs: 9 assists, 5 steals, 6 rebounds, and 6 points (3-11 from the field) in 26 minutes. And while the Jays’ coaches were trying him at the off guard spot in some situations, Witter was primarily backing up Josh Dotzler at the point.
After that game Cavel continued to score — for awhile. But after it became clear to the coaches in practice that Antoine Young needed to start seeing more minutes as Valley play picked up, the freshman from Bellevue West slid into the lineup and took some of ‘Vel’s minutes at the point. Trying to adjust to the off guard spot proved a bit more difficult than the crowd imagined, I’m sure, at least when judging the success by points scored (a Dana Altman no-no, I know, but what else is a shooting guard supposed to do, right?).
From December 10 to January 10 he scored 9 or more points in 9 of 10 games (averaging 11.3 ppg). In his next 10 games, he hit double figures just once (and he took 12 shots to score 13 points … in the season-altering loss at home versus Drake). Everyone knows he can score, including Witter himself, but firing himself out of the slump became a month-long ordeal.
Until last week against Evansville. With their backs against the wall and trying feverishly to protect the home court, Dana Altman turned to Witter to take charge late in the game against the Purple Aces. He hit 7 of 8 free throws, played 23 minutes (his most court time in almost a month of games), and scored 15 points in a 5-point Jays win.
But he saved his best for the (second to) last game of the regular season. Dotzler couldn’t get past any defenders, let alone get clean looks against MSU. He also picked up some early fouls. Young rushed a couple of shots and needed some help on the court with leading the offense. Enter Witter, who in 23 minutes scored 11 points (5-8 from the field; just his 2nd above-50% shooting night since January 10) and dished an astounding 6 assists (4 in the second half) as he helped slay the Bears’ upset attempt.
In one sequence, he waited at the top of the key for a screen, slipped underneath to take the ball hard to the paint, drew contact from a MSU post player, finished the shot and drew a foul. Visibly excited and exerting a palpable amount of energy (maybe from some bottled-up frustration regarding the last month of play), he let out a primal scream and fluttered his jersey rapidly toward the student section. The embroidered “CREIGHTON” across his chest was the attention of his efforts, and it summed up nicely all that we hear as the public about Witter’s attitude. Throughout his tough winter he has kept working, kept playing for the team. Last night he saved the team.
Harriman Helps Out … Yet Again
Casey Harriman played 7 minutes in the first half last night. Didn’t notice it? Neither did I. He, like many of the Jays, was a non-factor in the first stanza against Missouri State. But he kept plugging away, much like his friend Cavel has this past month. And it paid off in the best of possible ways for both Harriman and his teammates.
In 10 second-half minutes, Harriman poured in three huge 3-pointers and a free throw. 10 points. 2 rebounds. 17 minutes of pristine play, an effort Altman needed from a man who redshirted during Creighton’s last late-season run to the postseason.
Harriman was one point off his season and career high for points. And while I can’t remember how meaningful this buckets felt at the time of this year’s win against Oral Roberts (when he had 10 points), I do recall how much more comfortable and relaxed he seemed on the floor during his great night against Evansville a few weeks ago (when he put up 11 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal).
But that was in a blowout, on a night when a lot of different guys chipped in offensively. Last night was a dog fight, and Casey fought like the bulldog that he his. Maybe it was the loud bark he voiced after his teammates repeatedly let Bear after Bear find the basket. Or maybe it was the quiet confidence he displayed when launching three of the biggest 3-pointers he’s taken this season (heck, in his short career). Either way, on a night when things seemed doomed for the Jays, he gave his team the energy needed to climb back from a double-digit deficit in the second half and claim the win.
A win that now puts Creighton’s first regular season championship in its own hands this Saturday at home, on Senior Day, in front of a national television audience, against Illinois State. Win that and you get to hang a banner. And if the Jays do just that, and they celebrate at the center of First National Bank Court inside a sold-out Phone Booth, you can bet Witter and Harriman will be doing so with a little extra pep in their steps. Without them, and their hard work all season, what is possible this weekend wouldn’t be just that … possible.
February might be the shortest month of the year, but for college hoops fans it is a 28- (sometimes 29- ) day period packed tightly with meaningful hoops.
There are so many seasons within the season. So many streaks and slumps. Creighton’s in the midst of its second 9-game winning streak of the season, but that doesn’t mean things have been firing on all cylinders for each and every player. The mark of a good team is being able to have more than one go-to guy; having any number of players on a team that can make a big shot when needed, or grab a needed rebound, or just exert some hustle to gain the team an extra possession.
Last night’s win on the road against Missouri State, in a trap game to the tenth degree, was the tale of two role players who stepped up and did all of the above. And because of that, the Jays have a title chance on Saturday.
Witter Fights Back
Back in December, on Creighton’s first night in Las Vegas, Cavel Witter dropped a very point guard-like night on the Bulldogs: 9 assists, 5 steals, 6 rebounds, and 6 points (3-11 from the field) in 26 minutes. And while the Jays’ coaches were trying him at the off guard spot in some situations, Witter was primarily backing up Josh Dotzler at the point.
After that game Cavel continued to score — for awhile. But after it became clear to the coaches in practice that Antoine Young needed to start seeing more minutes as Valley play picked up, the freshman from Bellevue West slid into the lineup and took some of ‘Vel’s minutes at the point. Trying to adjust to the off guard spot proved a bit more difficult than the crowd imagined, I’m sure, at least when judging the success by points scored (a Dana Altman no-no, I know, but what else is a shooting guard supposed to do, right?).
From December 10 to January 10 he scored 9 or more points in 9 of 10 games (averaging 11.3 ppg). In his next 10 games, he hit double figures just once (and he took 12 shots to score 13 points … in the season-altering loss at home versus Drake). Everyone knows he can score, including Witter himself, but firing himself out of the slump became a month-long ordeal.
Until last week against Evansville. With their backs against the wall and trying feverishly to protect the home court, Dana Altman turned to Witter to take charge late in the game against the Purple Aces. He hit 7 of 8 free throws, played 23 minutes (his most court time in almost a month of games), and scored 15 points in a 5-point Jays win.
But he saved his best for the (second to) last game of the regular season. Dotzler couldn’t get past any defenders, let alone get clean looks against MSU. He also picked up some early fouls. Young rushed a couple of shots and needed some help on the court with leading the offense. Enter Witter, who in 23 minutes scored 11 points (5-8 from the field; just his 2nd above-50% shooting night since January 10) and dished an astounding 6 assists (4 in the second half) as he helped slay the Bears’ upset attempt.
In one sequence, he waited at the top of the key for a screen, slipped underneath to take the ball hard to the paint, drew contact from a MSU post player, finished the shot and drew a foul. Visibly excited and exerting a palpable amount of energy (maybe from some bottled-up frustration regarding the last month of play), he let out a primal scream and fluttered his jersey rapidly toward the student section. The embroidered “CREIGHTON” across his chest was the attention of his efforts, and it summed up nicely all that we hear as the public about Witter’s attitude. Throughout his tough winter he has kept working, kept playing for the team. Last night he saved the team.
Harriman Helps Out … Yet Again
Casey Harriman played 7 minutes in the first half last night. Didn’t notice it? Neither did I. He, like many of the Jays, was a non-factor in the first stanza against Missouri State. But he kept plugging away, much like his friend Cavel has this past month. And it paid off in the best of possible ways for both Harriman and his teammates.
In 10 second-half minutes, Harriman poured in three huge 3-pointers and a free throw. 10 points. 2 rebounds. 17 minutes of pristine play, an effort Altman needed from a man who redshirted during Creighton’s last late-season run to the postseason.
Harriman was one point off his season and career high for points. And while I can’t remember how meaningful this buckets felt at the time of this year’s win against Oral Roberts (when he had 10 points), I do recall how much more comfortable and relaxed he seemed on the floor during his great night against Evansville a few weeks ago (when he put up 11 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal).
But that was in a blowout, on a night when a lot of different guys chipped in offensively. Last night was a dog fight, and Casey fought like the bulldog that he his. Maybe it was the loud bark he voiced after his teammates repeatedly let Bear after Bear find the basket. Or maybe it was the quiet confidence he displayed when launching three of the biggest 3-pointers he’s taken this season (heck, in his short career). Either way, on a night when things seemed doomed for the Jays, he gave his team the energy needed to climb back from a double-digit deficit in the second half and claim the win.
A win that now puts Creighton’s first regular season championship in its own hands this Saturday at home, on Senior Day, in front of a national television audience, against Illinois State. Win that and you get to hang a banner. And if the Jays do just that, and they celebrate at the center of First National Bank Court inside a sold-out Phone Booth, you can bet Witter and Harriman will be doing so with a little extra pep in their steps. Without them, and their hard work all season, what is possible this weekend wouldn’t be just that … possible.
posted by Creighton Otter at 8:17 PM
2 Comments:
It is First National Bank Court.
Great write up
Thanks, Anon.
It was meant to be a bit sarcastic, as I was longing for the days of the Con Agra Court and the buttery popcorn giveaways for the 3-point shooters at halftime.
But your comment is noted.
Post a Comment
<< Home