|
#39 Creighton
Bluejays
Missouri Valley
Conference
2004-05: 23-11, 11-7,
3rd
2004-05 postseason:
NCAA
By
Joel Welser
Creighton snuck into the NCAAs
last year with an 11-7 record in the Missouri Valley Conference
and will be one of the favorites to make it back to the big
dance. With four starters returning, including 1st
team all-conference Nate Funk, the Bluejays have the tools to be
better this year than the NCAA team a year ago.
Who’s Out:
Tyler McKinney was the only player to start all 34 games, and
the point guard will be missed greatly. McKinney averaged 6.4
points and 5.4 assists as a senior and his absence leaves a
major question at the point. Guard Kellen Miliner earned 12
starts averaging 9.4 points per game. Forward Dennis Howard saw
limited action last year averaging 0.9 points and 1.0 rebounds.
Who’s In:
Newcomers Nick Porter, Dominic
Bishop and Josh Dotzler will have the first chance at the
starting point guard spot. Porter redshirted last year while
recovering from a knee injury. Two years ago, the 6-3 guard
averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists at Compton
(CA) Community College. Bishop is the most talented of the
bunch. The 6-0 Buffalo, New York native averaged 11.0 points,
5.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds at Brown Mackie (KS) College last
year. Porter’s and Bishop’s experience will get them the first
crack at running the show, but Dotzler may be the future. The
6-0, 180 pound Bellevue, Nebraska product averaged 13.4 points,
7.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 5.0 steals last year at Bellevue
West High School. Dotzler will get a chance if Bishop or Porter
aren’t up for the job. Shooting guard Thomas Lane is an
excellent outside shooter but will likely redshirt during the
upcoming season. Brice Nengsu spent one year at Weatherford
Junior College before heading to Omaha. The 6-5 guard averaged
12.6 points and 4.8 rebounds as a freshman. Manourou Gakou adds
some depth to the frontcourt. The 6-8, 260 pound junior attended
Cloud County (KS) Community College where he averaged 12.7
points and 7.6 rebounds last year. Redshirt freshman Steve Smith
saw a few minutes in five games last year before being sidelined
with an ankle injury. The 6-10 center won’t play a ton of
minutes but will provide another big body off the bench.
Who to Watch:
What will Nate Funk do for an
encore? Last year Funk led his team to the NCAAs with 17.8
points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. This year the
Sioux City, Iowa native will look to lead the Bluejays deeper
into the big dance. Funk is a great shooter from everywhere on
the floor and will take the big shot for Creighton once again.
Funk always seems to have a good look at the basket due to his
constant movement without the ball. If Funk has a bad year, so
will Creighton, but I wouldn’t count on that happening.
Projected
Conference Rank:
It’ll be another good one in the
MVC. The only question for CU is at the point, but there are
plenty of choices with Dominic Bishop, Nick Porter and Josh
Dotzler. Even Johnny Mathies could take over the job if
necessary. The frontcourt has options as well with returnees
Dane Watts, Jimmy Motz, Anthony Tolliver and Jeffrey Day all
earning starts last year. A 2nd place finish for
Creighton will get Coach Dana Altman back to the NCAAs for the
schools ninth straight postseason berth.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected Starting
Five:
Nick Porter, Junior,
Guard, DNP last season
Johnny Mathies,
Senior, Guard, 11.8 points per game
Nate Funk, Senior,
Guard, 17.8 points per game
Dane Watts, Sophoore,
Forward, 6.9 points per game
Anthony Tolliver,
Junior, Forward, 4.2 points per game
|
