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Creighton Looks to Rebuild

Mo Watson

Up next in our preview of Big East recruiting classes is Creighton. The White and Blue Review is a terrific resource for all Creighton sports, not just basketball, and they break down the future of Blue Jay basketball in their recruiting guide. 

The White and Blue Review on the 2015 haul: 

Creighton lost five seniors and a freshman to a transfer following their 10th place finish in the Big East in 2014-2015. The Blue Jays needed a serious upgrade at nearly every position and with transfers Maurice ‘Mo’ Watson (Boston University), Cole Huff (Nevada) and redshirt freshman Ronnie Harrell, the Jays look poised to shed the bottom feeder moniker.

Watson and Huff will walk into the starting lineup and strong indications from spring practice are that Harrell could break the lineup at some point as well. The 6-7, 200 lb Harrell, has an excellent outside stroke and could allow the Jays to go big throughout the season, if he were to slip in to the 2/3 role.

Watson will be the undoubted leader of the team. The Boston University transfer led the nation in assists and is a pass first point who will look to penetrate defenses and spray passes to open shooters. Both Watson and Huff showed tremendous promise while on the Creighton scout team all year. Unlike other new players, they come in with a good understanding of what (head coach) Greg McDermott wants on both ends of the floor.

Besides Watson, Huff and Harrell, Creighton added five new players, including former JUCO All-American Malik Albert and consensus top 50 freshman Justin Patton.

Albert is a 6-2 scoring guard from Michigan who spent last season away from the court improving his academic standing. He is a wildcard. Albert was unearthed by new Creighton assistant and recruiting ace Preston Murphy (Rhode Island & Boston College). He provides the Jays with another athletic, bouncy guard who can come off the bench.

The Jays quickly realized they would need to upgrade the athleticism at nearly every position — with eight new players on the roster they have — and Albert is a perfect example of that commitment. He was a late add due to 5th year center Geoffrey Groselle choosing to walk-on. Groselle is currently enrolled in graduate school at Creighton after recently finishing his undergraduate degree, and looks likely to start the season as the team’s most complete post player.

Groselle has stiff competition in the form of junior Zach Hanson as well as sophomore Toby Hegner who exclusively saw time as a stretch four, but could slide over as the team’s center if Huff gets the nod at the 4. Many in Omaha are excited at the prospect of the native-son Patton getting minutes at the 5. The 6-10 skilled big could very well be the most gifted defensive big man at Creighton since Benoit Benjamin.

Patton grew up blocks from Creighton and his rapid rise last summer came during Creighton’s Elite Camp. The Jays staff made no mistake signing him up on spot. Patton, a guard three years ago, hit a growth spurt on his way to 6-10. While his defense and length warrant minutes his freshman year, he will need to put on weight and polish his game on the offensive end. When that happens he could be one of the top centers in the country and a viable NBA player.

Creighton also brings freshmen Marlon Stewart, Khryi Thomas and Martin Krampelj.

Stewart, a 6-1 lead guard from Iowa has the size and handles to one day be the starting point in Omaha. He led his high school team to the Iowa state title last season. Stewart is also a sneaky shooter who can fill it up quickly. His ability behind the perimeter sold the Jays staff.

Thomas, another Omaha native, spent last season at Fork Union Military Academy perfecting his game. The 6-3 Thomas is long and bouncy, and was the 2014 Nebraska High School Player of the Year. The Jays like his ability to defend multiple positions. Khryi attacks the rim, and could very well crack the rotation as a freshman.

Krampelj, like Albert, is a wildcard. A 6-8 Slovenian forward, he came over to the States last fall in search of D1 scholarships. It took one showcase in front of Creighton’s staff to convince them that he would be successful as a Jay. Krampelj has the prototypical Euro game: an excellent outside stroke, tricky to guard off the ball, and as a 20 year old freshman he already possesses a developed build. Some in Omaha feel Krampelj can crack the starting lineup this season, yet with the depth in front of him it looks like he will be yet another key piece of Creighton’s growing bench.

 

 

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