Question for Jays Fans

[RDinNY]

Initially, I wasn't excited about Creighton due to location. I felt that the Big East should should not expand any further west than it already had. Nonetheless, Creighton has been a terrific member of the league thus far. Thank you for the attention and excitement that Dougie brought to the league last year. It is only natural that there would be a significant dropoff after losing one of the greatest players in NCAA history. Still, you bring a quality program and a terrific fanbase. This year's record is an abberation and thinks will return to normal soon.

[Professor_Bulldog]

Don't feel like reading this entire thread so this may have already been stated, but I think we should all be thankful that we had CU and dougie last year. I think we would've been even more disparaged nationally if not for them.

[Doge McDermott]

Not gonna lie, this season blows. We knew it'd be a rebuilding year, but the 0-fer is a bit shocking. Early OOC wins gave us a bit more optimism than this. I didn't have high hopes for this team, and thought an NIT bid was the ceiling. I also thought that #9 in the BE was a bit low. The combination of the other BE teams killing it, and the reload year are the perfect storm for what our season has become. Y'all are welcome for the RPI boost. Just be sure to return the favor when you guys are rebuilding.

I forget who said it on the NYE marathon, but the team lacks an identity. It shows, and the slumps and injuries certainly aren't helping either. As previously mentioned, next year is a different story.

I think it's hilarious that the lone DePaul fan is the one chirping. Maybe you should try getting those Chicago kids from Simeon and Whitney Young before being "worried" about our recruiting. The recruiting deficiencies of the local universities are well documented. Your concern troll is noted. It's sad that you're fighting the athletic powerhouse Northwestern for airtime in the Chicago market. Take care of your own house before casting stones, bro.

Also, fill your lower bowl, and don't rely on the other team's alumni base to do it. Admittedly, it's nice to spread out, and the lines for beer are pretty short. But come on, man. Put together a couple of successful seasons before you start harping on who should and shouldn't have gotten the invite.

[sciencejay]

I think the pre-season expectations (6th-8th in conf) were based on several role players stepping up and being leaders (Brooks, Artino, Dingman), and that simply hasn't happened. None of them is a qualitatively different player than last year. During the non-con, I allowed myself to be hopeful that they had changed (Brooks and Artino both played pretty well OOC), but in BE games they look the same as they were last year. Add to them several young, inexperienced players (and an unfortunately slumping Chatman who was terrific in the non-con), and you have an 0-8 record in the BE.

And while that's the state of the state, I agree with others about the general positivity about our future. The local beat reporter can't help himself in pre-game chats when someone asks about Huff and Watson. Sounds like those two light up our regulars like the rest of the conference has. So as long as Hegner, Milliken, Hanson and Zierden (and Groselle too) continue to get better, we should be in much better shape next year. No one is saying top 2-3 in the BE next year, but much better than this year.

[gmoser1210]

Jeez!!! One bad season and we wanna kick them out the league?!

Same thing happened on this board last season with Butler. Definitely a "what have you done for me lately" mindset around here. Creighton was far and away the best option for the 10th slot in the Big East, barring expansion past the central time zone and grabbing Gonzaga. That's what 18 NCAA tournaments gets you. I'll admit, though, that I'm one of those who is a little skeptical about Creighton because of the lack of NCAA tournament success.

Not counting the consolation 3rd place games in the 60s and 70s, Creighton has never won more than one game in a tournament. They're the only team in the conference that has not been to the Sweet Sixteen since the tournament expanded beyond 32 teams. It makes me wonder how many of the 18 tournaments they would have appeared in if they'd competed in a power conference all along, and how many of those appearances were due to domination of a less competitive conference.

Does any of that mean that I want to kick them out of the conference? Of course not. I think they were a great add. After Butler and Xavier, Creighton was the next best option. I genuinely hope the Bluejays prove that they can continue to be a team that gets to the tournament and gets 25+ wins in a season even with the step up in conference competition. I definitely hope they soon get over the hump and make it to the second weekend.

[OmahaGuy]

Contrary to what some people on this board might think (not a whole bunch but maybe a couple), I can assure you that Creighton will not become a perennial bottom feeder because of 3 things: Leadership, facilities, and fan support. "Nothing without doug, look at this year" "Greg is not a good coach. He failed at Iowa State and rode his son to success and now he's getting exposed" "Creighton was very stupid to leave the MVC and this league will be the death of Creighton Basketball". Typical statements you might hear from college basketball fans across America (especially Nebraska and Wichita/MVC fans). Let me tell you why those people are clueless and why Creighton will be fine.

Leadership: Bruce Rasmussen (CU AD) is 100% committed to making the basketball program a competitive team in the Big East and Greg McDermott is an excellent coach. People will point to his bad years at ISU. Just a bad fit there. He admitted he didn't run the program right and he's learned many lessons from that bad experience in Ames. I'm no ISU expert, but I believe what led to his downfall there was the culture and the attitude of the program and it was a very negative "me first" culture, which led to poor play and many transferred out of the program. At Creighton, he's pulled a complete 180, establishing a high character "team first" culture. Despite all of the BS this team has faced this year, the boys haven't really pouted, whined, or had poor body language. The boys are playing their butts off every single night even though they have every reason to throw in the towel. That's a credit to Mac and the staff for keeping the positive vibes in the program.

Facilities/Fans: The Championship Center is a brand new practice facility that opened last summer and is without a doubt, one of the nations elite practice gyms. Then there's the CenturyLink Center. A big, beautiful, and LOUD arena that's relatively new (opened in 2003) which brings us to fan support. Since moving into the C-Link, Creighton has been in the Top20 in average attendance every season. Not to mention the incredible support they got every year in St. Louis at the MVC Tournament and the support they got last season in NYC. Need I say more?

I'm sure the athletic department and all of Bluejay Nation, despite the record currently, loves this move to the Big East and don't regret a single thing about moving. We do not ever want to come back to the Valley. All this team needs is at least 2-3 years to get the talent to compete in the conference. Once they do, the birds shall rise again. Go Jays.

[Make Your Bones]

Creighton fans, any idea how attendance has been looking this year despite the 0-8 BE start? I know that's been one of the huge areas of pride for your program, so i hope 17k fan are showing up still.

[gmoser1210]

In their 11 home games (not including tonight or the exhibition game), they're averaging 17,042. Their three conference games have averaged 17,054. Their highest attended game was the first game of the season, versus Central Arkansas, where attendance was 18,160. Their lowest of the season was 16,126 versus DePaul.

[CURx]

Butts in the seats tonight I would say exceeds 15,000. Students didn't show so could have been another 500+. That # might be low too.

[CPJays]

Creighton fans, any idea how attendance has been looking this year despite the 0-8 BE start? I know that's been one of the huge areas of pride for your program, so i hope 17k fan are showing up still.

Should hang onto a Top 10 attendance number this year again.