2022 Record: 24-13 (14-6)

Head Coach: Greg McDermott (Career Record 580-345) (Creighton Record 300-150)

Projected Rotation:

PG: Steven Ashworth (Utah State 16.2 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 4.5 Ast)

SG: Trey Alexander (13.6 Pts, 4.2 Reb, 2.6 Ast)

SF: Baylor Scheierman (12.8 Pts, 8.3 Reb, 3.3 Ast)

PF: Isaac Traudt (Virginia RS)

C: Ryan Kalkbrenner (15.9 Pts, 6.1 Reb, 1.2 Ast)

6: SG Francisco Farabello (3.0 Pts, 1.3 Reb, 0.9 Ast)

7: SF Mason Miller (2.3 Pts, 1.6 Reb, 0.2 Ast)

8: C Fredrick King (3.4 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 0.1 Ast)

9: SG Johnathan Lawson (Memphis 3.4 Pts, 1.5 Reb, 1.2 Ast)

10: PF Jasen Green (RS)

11: PG Josiah Dotzler

12: PF Brock Vice

13: SG Sterling Knox

Creighton returns the duo of Trey Alexander and Baylor Scheierman. Alexander started all 37 games for Creighton as a sophomore last season. He was efficient on the offensive end shooting 45% overall and 41% from beyond the arc. Alexander is also great on the defensive side of the ball being the best perimeter defender on the team. Alexander can also create his shot and score from all three levels. He should see another increase in his production next season. Scheierman had a great season last year with the Blue Jays averaging 12PPG and 8RPG. He shoots the ball from beyond the arc at a high level with a career mark of 40%. He’s capable of being a better shooter than he shot this past season. He shot 36% from beyond the arc last year and his career season high at South Dakota State was 47%. Creighton also returns guard Francisco Farabello a former TCU transfer who is going into his 5th season of CBB. He’s also known as a three point shooter, but didn’t shoot it as well as he’s capable of.

Ryan Kalkbrenner returns as the anchor of the Blue Jays defense. The 7-1 center is a great rim protector who averaged over 2 blocks per game in back to back season. He’s also a big threat on the offensive end for the Blue Jays. He averaged 16PPG last season while shooting 70% from the floor overall which ranked 3rd nationally. He is one of the best big men not only in the Big East, but in the entire country. Other bigs on the Blue Jays roster include PF Mason Miller and C Fredrick King. Miller is a 6-9 forward and son of former NBA player Mike Miller. He gives the Blue Jays some depth and the ability for them to stretch the floor. Fredrick King who will be Kalkbrenner’s backup showed some solid flashes last season. King averaged just over 3PPG while shooting 61% from the floor as a freshman.

Creighton added transfers Steven Ashworth from Utah State and Isaac Traudt from Virginia in the transfer portal. Ashworth was one of the most notable additions in the country and he fits the Creighton system perfectly. Ashworth was very efficient this past season at Utah State averaging 16PPG while shooting 46% from the floor and 43% from three. Ashworth’s ability to shoot at a high level from beyond the arc gives the Blue Jays 4 players in the starting lineup who can shoot the ball at an extremely high level. Ashworth also shares the ball very well and averaged over 4 assists per game last season with Utah State. He also commits very few turnovers. Virginia transfer Isaac Traudt redshirted this past season at UVA. He’s a wing that’s an extremely talented player on the offensive end. He can score from all three levels with ease. The final transfer Creighton added was Memphis guard Johnathan Lawson. He gives Creighton another depth piece at guard. He can also shoot the three ball well and is very athletic.

The Blue Jays also return forward Jasen Green who redshirted last season. He was ranked as the #183 player in the class of 2022, but he suffered an injury this offseason and could miss some time. Creighton also added 3 freshman to the team who will be developmental players under McDermott. Center Brock Vice was ranked as the #228 player in the class. PG Josiah Dotzler was ranked as the #259 player in the class. SG Sterling Knox out of Las Vegas was unranked in the class.

Creighton has one of the most talented starting fives in the country. They added more shooting and even though they lost 2 starters from last years Elite 8 team, McDermott replaced the lost talent very well. This is the highest preseason Kenpom rating that Creighton has ever received under McDermott. There is certainly some optimism that Creighton could make a final four run this season. It’s very close at the top in the Big East between Marquette and Creighton. The Blue Jays could win the league and have a floor of 3rd in the conference.