Creighton:
Coach: Greg McDermott (First Year)
Overall Record: 23-14
Conference Record: 10-8
Key Wins:
Northern Iowa (March 4)
Indiana State (Jan. 29)
Southern Illinois (Jan. 7)
Key Losses:
Missouri State (March 5)
Akron (Feb. 19)
BYU (Dec. 1)
Points Per Game: 69.1
Points Allowed Per Game: 65.1
Leading Scorer: Doug McDermott (15.2)
Leading Rebounder: Doug McDermott (7.5)
Leading Assister: Antoine Young (5.0)
Leading Stealer: Antoine Young (0.9)
Finish Last Season: Lost in Missouri Valley Conference Tournament quarterfinals; won first two games of CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament before falling to Missouri State
Breakdown:
The Bluejays come into Wednesday’s matchup with confidence, having won the first game of the CBI Championship Series against Oregon on Monday by a score of 84-76. Leading scorer Doug McDermott led the way with 21 points to go along with four rebounds. Point guard Antoine Young paced the offense with nine points and eight assists, and the Creighton offense hummed at an efficient pace with 21 assists on 28 field goals. The Bluejays also won the battle in the paint, outscoring Oregon 34-28 and totaling five blocks. With tonight’s game taking place in Eugene, the task at hand may become far more difficult. Oregon will be fighting to keep its season alive, and Oregon coach Dana Altman will look to avoid being swept by his former employer. Creighton was just 3-9 while playing on the road this season and dropped all three of its non-conference road games.
Oregon:
Coach: Dana Altman (First Year)
Overall Record: (19-18)
Conference Record: (7-11)
Key Wins:
UCLA (March 10)
Washington (Feb. 5)
Washington State (Feb. 3)
Key Losses:
Washington (March 11)
Arizona State (March 3)
Missouri (Dec. 2)
Points Per Game: 70.1
Points Allowed Per Game: 69.6
Leading Scorer: Joevan Catron (15.5)
Leading Rebounder: Joevan Catron (6.7)
Leading Assister: Malcolm Armstead (4.4)
Leading Stealer: Malcolm Armstead (2.3)
Finish Last Season: Lost in quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Tournament
Breakdown:
Oregon is playing for its season tonight against Creighton. With a loss, the door would close on a potential CBI Championship trophy, and seniors Joevan Catron and Jay-R Strowbridge would suddenly find their college careers at an end. The Ducks will have home court advantage this time, and hope that a familiar floor will prompt better play at both ends of the gym. Oregon shot just 45.3 percent in the first matchup with the Bluejays, and totaled just 17 assists on 29 made shots. It was not the efficient performance Altman would have liked to see, and the defense was not much better. Creighton poured in 84 points, well over Oregon’s season average for opponent points per game, while making nine three-pointers. Sophomore forward E.J. Singler will also look for a bounce-back performance after making just four of 12 shots Monday. Without a doubt, Oregon will need a quality performance from Singler to keep its hopes alive.
[email protected]
Preview: Oregon vs. Creighton in Game 2 of CBI Finals
Daily Emerald
March 29, 2011