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| This is one of the most enjoyable Creighton basketball teams to follow over thirty years of being part of Creighton. The #7 seeded Jays will play #2 seeded Duke in Philadelphia on Sunday night with a 8:40 tip off on TBS Sports. |
“What a week,” said CU's president, the Rev. Timothy Lannon, as he bounded out of the victorious locker room. “The Pope is a Jesuit, we're in the Big East and we're playing Duke.” As I wrap up a good article by Tom Shatel of the Omaha World Herald this morning.
- What a week indeed in the journey in life ...
- Creighton University is my alma mater and while NCAA success has been before and after my days on campus, I am proud of my alma mater's tradition and success in athletics.
- Nearly two weeks ago on CBS, Creighton beat Wichita State 68-65 to clinch the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament with the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title
- As a graduate of a Jesuit university, my Methodist-Catholic heritage in me gave me joy to learn of the announcement of Pope Francis. as our first Jesuit Pope!
- Despite the good news of Pope Francis, the journey for the Iowa Hawkeyes came to an end at the hands of the Michigan State Spartans in the Big Ten Tournament. No NCAA journey for the Hawkeyes, like my college days, it will be the NIT again.
- Last Sunday and Monday, we learned where the Creighton Jays and Lady Jays were headed in the NCAA Tournament. The Jays were a #7 seed and the Lady Jays were also in the field, as an at-large.
- Both Creighton and Wichita State are representing The Valley in both the NCAA men and women's basketball tournaments this year. How are your brackets doing?
- Wednesday was an interesting Sports day, with news that Creighton had officially joined the Big East with Butler, Xavier and the remaining Catholic 7 of the Big East.
- By the way, while at Creighton University, I served as the sports editor of The Creightonian during my sophomore year as I transitioned from the College of Arts and Science into the College of Business at Creighton.
- Wednesday night ... the Hawkeyes played Indiana State, another Valley team in the first round of the NIT Tournament. Indiana State is coached by Iowan Greg Lansing, who was an assistant coach at the University of Iowa before moving back over to Indiana State. He actually replaced a former Creighton alum, as head coach.
- My brackets started out well on Thursday as I went 14-2 (missed Oregon and Butler).
- Yes, I didn't give love for former Creighton coach Dana Altman, thinking back to the 2003 Central Michigan game on the road to face Duke. Oregon did advance over Oklahoma State on Thursday. Further, I picked Bucknell over Butler, who will join Creighton in the new Big East. Where is the love?
- Junior all-American forward #3 Doug McDermott, son of head coach Greg McDermott
- Fifth year senior and former Linn-Mar prep #10 Grant Gibbs, a key in the Duke game
- Senior center #00 Gregory Echenique, who played on the Venezuelan National Team
- Junior guard #12 Jahenns Manigat, who is from Ottawa, Ontario and key defender
- Sophomore point guard #1 Austin Chatman, who is the new starter for '12-'13 team
- Long live Creighton's #5 Josh Jones, a senior guard, who is no longer playing for the Jays due to heart aliment
- Creighton's bench will have to continue to contribute, whether it be junior three point master #34 Ethan Wragge or others. Sadly, the health of sophomore center #31 Will Artino's ankle is a concern for depth vs. Duke, but look for him get some minutes.
On Saturday, I caught the final minute on ESPNU of the Lady Jays big victory over another Big East team, as the #10 Lady Jays beat #7 Syracuse 61-56 on the Tennessee Vols home floor. When I was living in Swanson Hall on Creighton's campus, Creighton women's head basketball coach Jim Flanery was also there in the dorms as a student. Great win for the program this weekend.
The Journey continues as March Madness opens a strong weekend of college basketball.
With the news of Creighton's move to the Big East for 2013-14, my journey with Missouri Valley basketball continues with the University of Northern Iowa Panthers. However, Greg Lansing and Indiana State may be a tough opponent in 2013-14. But, as a UNI parent, it will be tough not to join in and root for the Panthers more.
Next year, Creighton athletics will move onto a map like this:
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