2025-11-17 14:01
As I sit here watching the Creighton Bluejays' recent game footage, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and apprehension that comes with March Madness season. Having followed college basketball for over fifteen years, I've developed a keen sense for which teams have that special combination of talent, coaching, and timing needed for a deep tournament run. The Bluejays present one of the most intriguing cases I've seen in recent years, and I find myself genuinely torn about their prospects.
Looking at their roster construction, what immediately stands out is their offensive efficiency. They're currently shooting 48.7% from the field, which places them among the top 25 teams nationally. That's not just good—that's championship-level efficiency. Their three-point shooting at 37.2% creates the spacing that makes their offense so dangerous. When Baylor Scheierman gets hot from beyond the arc, he becomes virtually unguardable, and I've seen him single-handedly dismantle defenses with his shooting range. The way Trey Alexander controls the tempo reminds me of some of the great Creighton guards from past seasons, though I'd argue he might have better court vision than any of them. What really impresses me about this team is their ball movement—they average 16.8 assists per game, which shows they're not reliant on isolation basketball.
The recent news about tournament expansion adds another layer to this conversation. With two yet-to-be named guest teams set to bolster the playing field along with the four PVL on Tour semifinalists, the path through the tournament becomes both more complicated and potentially more favorable for a team like Creighton. From my perspective, this could work in their favor. Additional teams often mean more potential for upsets elsewhere in the bracket, which could clear their path to the later rounds. I've seen this happen before—in 2018, when Loyola-Chicago made their unexpected Final Four run, they benefited from a bracket that opened up due to unexpected losses by higher seeds. The Bluejays could find themselves in a similar situation if these additional teams create more chaos in the early rounds.
Defensively, I have some concerns that keep me up at night. While they've shown flashes of brilliance, their consistency on that end of the floor worries me. They allow opponents to shoot 43.1% from the field, which ranks them around 145th nationally. That's not terrible, but it's not championship-caliber either. In tournament play, where every possession matters, defensive lapses can end your season in an instant. I recall watching their game against Marquette where they gave up 15 offensive rebounds—that kind of performance against a top-tier tournament team would likely send them home early. Coach McDermott needs to address these defensive inconsistencies if they hope to make a serious run.
The mental aspect of tournament basketball cannot be overstated. Having covered numerous NCAA tournaments, I've seen talented teams falter under pressure while less gifted squads advance due to superior composure. This Creighton team has shown remarkable resilience throughout the season, particularly in close games. Their 7-3 record in games decided by five points or fewer demonstrates their ability to execute under pressure. Ryan Kalkbrenner's leadership in crunch time has been exceptional—I've watched him take over games defensively when it mattered most, something that doesn't always show up in the stat sheet but makes all the difference in March.
When I look at their potential tournament path, the addition of those two mystery teams and the PVL semifinalists creates both uncertainty and opportunity. Personally, I believe this works to Creighton's advantage more than it hurts them. Teams with strong offensive systems tend to perform better against unfamiliar opponents because their execution isn't dependent on extensive scouting. The Bluejays' motion offense should translate well against teams they haven't faced during the regular season. I've noticed throughout my career that well-coached teams with sophisticated offensive schemes often have an edge in these scenarios.
My biggest concern remains their depth. They essentially play a seven-man rotation, which could become problematic in a tournament setting where games come quickly. If they face a team that plays at a frenetic pace or encounters foul trouble, their lack of proven bench production could be their undoing. I remember thinking the same about the 2019 Virginia team before they won it all, but they had the benefit of exceptional defensive systems to compensate. Creighton doesn't have that same defensive foundation to fall back on.
Ultimately, I find myself leaning toward optimism regarding Creighton's tournament prospects. Their offensive firepower gives them a chance against anyone, and the expanded field with additional teams might actually create a more favorable path than we'd typically expect. While I don't see them cutting down the nets as national champions, I believe they have the talent and coaching to reach the Elite Eight, possibly even the Final Four if the bracket breaks their way. The key will be maintaining their offensive efficiency while finding just enough defensive stops when it matters. Having watched countless teams make unexpected March runs throughout my career, this Creighton squad has enough of the right ingredients to make this tournament memorable for their fans.
