Creighton Breakdown by FoxSports.com's Jeff Goodman

[CUJay]

Top 25 preview: No. 12 Creighton
Jeff Goodman / FOXSports.com

Season Outlook

If Josh Dotzler is back to 100 percent by conference play, the Creighton Blue Jays will be difficult to beat in the Missouri Valley Conference. Actually, they'll just be tough to beat — by anyone.

Dana Altman's Bluejays may take their lumps early while their sophomore floor leader continues to recover from offseason knee surgery, but a healthy Dotzler makes Creighton a team that will be feared come postseason play.

Creighton won 20 games a year ago despite losing the reigning MVC Player of the Year. Nate Funk, a 6-foot-3 versatile guard who does just about everything on the court, missed the final 23 games due to a shoulder injury.

"People underestimated all the areas Nate gave our team a lift," Altman said. "You know he's a great offensive player, but he was also our best defender and leading rebounder. When we lost him, we were worried."

Funk's back after being granted another year of eligibility — and he'll join guys like Anthony Tolliver and Nick Porter — two players who were given extended opportunities a year ago because Funk was on the sidelines.

Tolliver is a 6-foot-9, 245-pound senior center who averaged 13.2 points and 6.7 rebounds last season after putting up a modest 4.2 points per contest as a sophomore. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Porter scored almost 10 points per game after coming off a season in which he missed the entire year with a knee injury.


If Josh Dotzler (left) and Nate Funk both get on the floor at the same time Creighton will be in good shape. (Nati Harnik / Associated Press)

Add Dane Watts, a 6-foot-8, 225-pound junior forward, into the equation and you get a starting five with plenty of experience — and ability.

However, it'll depend on Dotzler.

The team was 17-5 with Dotzler and finished 3-5 after he suffered the knee injury late last season.

"Five of our top eight guys were out at one point or another," Altman said. "If we get everyone healthy and back, we have the potential to be pretty good."

Altman is hopeful that Dotzler can come back in December and for the time being he'll have a couple of options at the point guard spot.

Isaac Miles (6-2, 185) is a freshman out of Kansas City who appears to have the edge, but Kansas transfer Nick Bahe (6-3, 190), who played sparingly in two seasons under Bill Self, could make things interesting.

Manny Gakou (6-8, 260) is a senior who should be the first big man off the bench, while freshman Kenny Lawson and junior college forward Ty Morrison also vie for playing time up front.

Creighton 2006-07


Breaking it down
Coach: Dana Altman — 238-130 (12 years); 321-197 overall (17 years)

Last Season: 20-10, 12-6 (Missouri Valley)

Postseason: Lost to Miami in the second round of the NIT.

Why they'll make the Final Four: If Dotzler gets back to 100 percent by January, these guys have as good a shot as just about anyone.

Why they're getting bounced in the first round: If Dotzler doesn't come back near full strength or at all.

You don't know him … yet: Nate Funk — If you did know about him, you probably forgot about him last season. He's one of the top players in the country and would be a certain Wooden candidate if he didn't miss last season with a shoulder injury.

Why you'll want to pay attention before March: Funk is a pleasure to watch and Altman is one of the most underrated coaches in America.

Games that will determine their season: Dec. 9 vs. Xavier; Jan. 15 at Wichita State; Feb. 10 at Southern Illinois

Prediction: Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament (if Dotzler returns); First round of the NCAA tournament (if he doesn't)

Jeff Goodman is a senior college basketball writer for FOXSports.com. He can be reached at GoodmanonFOX@aol.com.

[WuDrWu]

Seems a bit pessimistic to me. Sure the Jays will be better with Dotzler, but it is obvious they have more than enough waiting in the wings for a run to the Final Four. If Dotzler can't go, it would seem a redshirt is in order as Bahe and Miles are more than enough to carry the Jays to the promised land.

Is there any update on the health of Morrison?

[Dawgbit]

Who knows, maybe this will be the year the Jays beat SIU.

[tgcshock]

Once again great publicity for the Valley. You have to love the fact that he takes Creighton seriously as a final four team. Maybe people are finally learning that if you are competitive in the MVC you have the ability to compete anywhere. :valley: :shockers:

[DawgieStyle]

I would not under estimate the importance of a true solid point guard. They make the whole show go, and they don't have to score a lot to be the most important player on their team. If some one is unable to pick up the slack for Dotzler if he fails to regain his form, teams like SIU and there steal happy and pressure happy defense WILL eat CU alive, and so will other similar teams.

[MVC Fan]

Once again great publicity for the Valley. You have to love the fact that he takes Creighton seriously as a final four team. Maybe people are finally learning that if you are competitive in the MVC you have the ability to compete anywhere. :valley: :shockers:

Right...and as it should be for one of the top 6 conferences in the country. :clap: Have to keep pounding it in ppl's heads, Valley play prepares teams very well for the postseason.

Will be interesting to see what CU has behind Dotzler. They just didn't have much behind him last yr, it cost them in several of those games, esp. against Bradley in the MVC quarterfinal. Altman is as good as anyone anywhere at compensating for weakness at a position so I'd expect they won't be caught unprepared if he's out for longer, but it could be the difference between a Sweet 16 at best season and a team that could challenge for the Final 4.

[Aargh]

CU looks mighty salty this year. I don't know that I'd say F4 salty.

If Tolliver improves another year like he did last year he could be an absolutely dominating force inside. Frontcourt players are the most likely of all players to continue improving throughout college.

If CU and Altman can figure out how to work Funk back into the game plan, all Funk has to do is what he did 2 years ago. Basically Funk replaces Mathies which appears to be a pretty easy transition.

What class was Dotzler in when he became the straw that stirred the drink? What class is Isaac Miles in this year? If Dotzler starts the season only able to go at 80% for 20 minutes, that gives Miles (I think Miles has more upside than Bahe) some minutes in OOC. Miles' minutes can be concentrated in some of the easier OOC games.

If there is a problem for CU it will be Porter and Watts in conference play. Opposing coaches may be tempted to play a little loose on D against them and work offensive schemes against them.

Here's the way the matchups look

PG - Dotzler, Mullins, Brauer/Bradley
Comment: It's a "pick-em" between Dotzler and Mullins. WSU has more proven depth and may run an attrition game at PG.

SG - Porter, Young, Ogirri
Comment: Offensively, Ogirri wins. Defensively, Young wins. If there is a matchup problem for CU, this is a likely spot.

Wing - Funk, Tatum, Couisnard
Comment: I want to watch these games! Tatum and Couisnard probably progressed more in their year playing than Funk did in his year rehabbing. Tatum and Couisnard should be better able to handle Funk than they were 2 years ago.

SF - Watts, Shaw, Martin
Comment: Which team gets the most production out of this spot could be critical. Watts has been in the background for CU. Martin is seriously undersized. GodShawGod has too often been StandShawWatch.

PF/C - Tolliver, Falker, Wilson
Comment: A lot has been mentioned about WSU losing the MVC PoY. Don't forget that's who Wilson was battling every game for points and boards. Tolliver and Falker appeared to be more improved players, but they weren't facing the same on-team competition for inside presence that Wilson faced.

Whoever wins this battle gets an NBA look.

[cufan]

Word from last night's open scrimmage at the Q is that Isaac Miles ran most of the minutes at point with the first team. By most first hand accounts he is going to be very good. Seems to have a good grasp of the offense already, the body of a junior and very quick. Of course, he is a freshman and this was just practice. We will see soon enough.

[MikeKennedyRulz]

Heard there were 2,000 people there. That is a nice little crowd.

:jays:

[cbjay]

Heard there were 2,000 people there. That is a nice little crowd.

:jays:
Yeah, not bad for PRACTICE.

[LincolnJay]

Creighton new guys report from last night:

Isacc was da bomb. He is one fine player. Ran the offense well and made most of his shots. Beefy.

Kenny Lawson needs pounds but is very skilled. He will contribute.

Ty Morrison is still hurting from his illness but worked hard the whole scrimmage.

Casey Harriman is redshirting but made everything and may be another of those Iowa kids that Iowa State and Iowa ask themselves how they let another one get away to Creighton. More athletic than anticipated.

Kansas transfer Nick Bahe is a heady, smooth kid with a good shot who will contribute but will never star due to lack of foot speed.

Aaron Brandt is recovering from a scoped knee and is redshirting on an academic scholie. Very athletic {state high jump champion in HS}.

D'Angalo Jackson has a bum ankle and did not practice. Worried about whether he will ever heal.

Chad Millard is a good basketball player - high bball IQ, good shot, skilled ball handler for his height. He would help this year but will benefit from a transfer redshirt to bulk up and learn the system.

Starters on Thursday

Tolliver {dominated and a leader too}
Watts {looks healthy and strong}
Porter {still inconsistent but strong}
Funk {looks 100%}
Bahe {just because DA won't start a frosh first thing}

[DoubleJayAlum]

Yeah, not bad for PRACTICE.

This was one of those events where you can grab the little stub off the chair, take it to the cashier and buy those season tickets. It wasn't any kind of "madness" event. There were no slam dunk contest, shooting contests, etc. There were no videos. All that the fans could see was an open practice, Dana style.

Apparently there were enough additional season tickets purchased to push the total over 12,000 (not including the 800 or so held back for students). As a result, we are looking at average attendance just from season ticketholders and students of around 13,000. Single games tickets will only add to the total.

I agree with LJ about Miles. He certainly seems to be the real deal; I was impressed. I suspect if Dotzler is out for an extended period, Miles will be starting at the point after the third or fourth game.

[MikeKennedyRulz]

Yeah, not bad for PRACTICE.

And only 5,000 less than WSU's PRACTICE.

[LincolnJay]

And only 5,000 less than WSU's PRACTICE.

MKR math: 6,000-2,000=5,000

[MoValley John]

I've been busy and haven't been an active poster for awhile. What I have noticed is the bickering between CU and WSU had pretty much stopped. Then along comes MKR and starts throwing flames. From what I understand, the CU open practice was just that, a practice. No scoreboard highlights, no blue/white scrimmage, no mascots, no cheerleaders, no contests or gimmics, just drills and teaching fundamenal basketball. The practice was only open to allow people to select open seats. IMO, 2,000 people is pretty darn good all things considered. So why the flame?

[LincolnJay]

The practice was only open to allow people to select open seats. IMO, 2,000 people is pretty darn good all things considered. So why the flame?

I think this picture of MKR answers the question:
http://www.bobfromaccounting.com/4_3004/kimjunglarge.jpg

[MikeKennedyRulz]

I've been busy and haven't been an active poster for awhile. What I have noticed is the bickering between CU and WSU had pretty much stopped. Then along comes MKR and starts throwing flames. From what I understand, the CU open practice was just that, a practice. No scoreboard highlights, no blue/white scrimmage, no mascots, no cheerleaders, no contests or gimmics, just drills and teaching fundamenal basketball. The practice was only open to allow people to select open seats. IMO, 2,000 people is pretty darn good all things considered. So why the flame?


From DJAlum this morning:

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeKennedyRulz
To say that WSU fans don't know anything about college baseball is laughable. Shocker fans are by far one of the most knowledge college baseball fanbases in the country.

Just ask them.

Quote:
Creighton's schedule may be the best model the MVC can aspire to, reflecting a strategy coach Dana Altman has adopted in recent years:

If you can't get with other BCS teams, play the built-in annual game with Nebraska and other schools in similar situations — George Mason, Xavier and Dayton. Then hope that the brackets in exempt tournaments, in this case the Rainbow Classic, lead to showdowns with notable programs.

"That's really the key to unlocking the RPI," Altman said.


This writer obviously gets it.


You're right, I came along and restarted everything. :doh:

[MikeKennedyRulz]

MKR math: 6,000-2,000=5,000

Actually, it was 6,500 as reported by the Eagle, sorry for rounding up. There were actually 4,500 more people at the WSU PRACTICE.

[MoValley John]

From DJAlum this morning:

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeKennedyRulz
To say that WSU fans don't know anything about college baseball is laughable. Shocker fans are by far one of the most knowledge college baseball fanbases in the country.

Just ask them.

Quote:
Creighton's schedule may be the best model the MVC can aspire to, reflecting a strategy coach Dana Altman has adopted in recent years:

If you can't get with other BCS teams, play the built-in annual game with Nebraska and other schools in similar situations — George Mason, Xavier and Dayton. Then hope that the brackets in exempt tournaments, in this case the Rainbow Classic, lead to showdowns with notable programs.

"That's really the key to unlocking the RPI," Altman said.


This writer obviously gets it.


You're right, I came along and restarted everything. :doh:

So you are taking something from either the trash talk, or baseball forum, I'm not sure where, and bringing it over to the basketball forum for all of us to read. "The writer obviously gets it" was an opinion based on the article that was posted to this thread. So yes, you started this trash talking on the basketball forum. Why don't you, Lincoln Jay and DJ Alum keep your trash talking on the forum where it originated?

[Bird]

Again, MKR not letting the facts get in the way of a flame against CU. "Shocker Madness" was just a practice? I believe it included a "laser light show", team introductions, dunk contest, 3 point contest, the Marching Cobras, and a scrimmage with cheerleaders and the new mascot.

Is that a usual Turgeon practice?

[MoValley John]

With media days now in progress, there is finally new stuff to discuss. Can we please try and stay on topic?

[MikeKennedyRulz]

With media days now in progress, there is finally new stuff to discuss. Can we please try and stay on topic?

One of DJ ALums quotes was from the Basketball forum just so you know. I have tried over the last couple of weeks to stay out of things and let them die down, and certain BJU posters have not tried to temper things but to continue them, I just got tired of it and had to say something.

I apologize and I will focus on basketball discussion from here on out, although I doubt certain others will do the same.

[blueblood]

I tried to fing MKR's quotes on the Basketball forum. Not there. They were on the Smack forum. Are the Basketball forum and the Smack forum the same thing? Most exept one or two comments had nothing to do with CU but were Mizzou vs WSU.

[MikeKennedyRulz]

DJA's quote about scheduling is under the St. Louis Post DIspatch column thread in the BASKETBALL FORUM.

[blueblood]

So be it. Let it go Mike. Kumbaya.