Creighton's schedule has been unofficially available to anyone with time and a modicum of internet savvy for a couple of weeks, but it was made official today. Its listed at the left bar on this site for easy reference (I'll update it after every game).
According to the official presser:
The Bluejays, who have nine players new to Division I play, will face their share of challenges, starting with the regular-season opener Nov. 9 at home against DePaul. Creighton also will play Nebraska and St. Joseph at home, and face back-to-back road games in early December against Drexel and Xavier.
Mixed in are games against Mississippi Valley State (NCAA RPI No. 197 last season), Arkansas-Little Rock (No. 230) and Savannah State (No. 288), as well as meetings with North Carolina Central and Houston Baptist, teams making the jump to Division I.
Overall, Creighton will play eight of its first 10 games at Qwest Center Omaha before opening Missouri Valley Conference play Dec. 29 at home against Illinois State.
Here's some quick-hit thoughts:
There are just two NCAA tourney teams on the schedule -- Xavier and Southern Illinois. That's quite a departure from previous years, but with the number of newcomers on the squad, playing some "gimme" games early may not be the worst idea. Would I rather see a plethora of good-to-great teams in the non-conference? You better believe it. Would I like to see them pile up a bunch of early wins? Absolutely. Those might be mutually exclusive this year, so I'll take the latter.
Opening up on a Friday night? First time I can remember that happening. Personally, I won't be able to go -- stupid gallery opening featuring my work! Someone in my office will be pretty happy to get free lower bowl tix to a game, however.
One exhibition game? Seems OK, given the trip to Canada. You're going to kill me for this, but I won't be able to make this game either. Stupid trip to New York City to see The Police at Madison Square Garden! When we booked the tickets, I figured "What are the odds Creighton plays that weekend?" As always, I figured poorly.
Nebraska on Saturday afternoon, Thanksgiving weekend? When the students are out of town? Doc Sadler and F-Troop catch a huge break here. HUGE.
First week of December looks to be brutal. Actually, brutal might be a tad on the nice side. A road trip to Drexel and Xavier, followed by a home game with St. Joe's. Ouch.
The Drake game in Des Moines is on a Wednesday. How do you think the Pups feel about that? One of their only guaranteed sellouts when its on a weekend, this becomes a dicier proposition for Jays fans to travel for. I will be there, partly to make up for missing the first two games, partly because Wilford Brimley told me "Its the right thing to do." Oh wait, that was Quaker Oatmeal he was talking about. Well, I'll be there anyway.
The game at Southern Illinois is a primetime ESPN tilt on a Saturday night. ESPN Gameday will be there. This will make it that much more tremendous when the Jays finally put an end to the regular-season losing streak against the Doggies.
Bracket Buster on the road. Hopefully this will give the Jays the chance to play an opponent that will bolster the otherwise weak non-con schedule.
Southern Illinois on a Sunday night? Man, why would the MVC want this game on a Sunday? Its been wild the last four years on Saturday night. Bigger crowds than the Nebraska games, unmatched decibel levels, empty kegs galore. I'm thinking many people will not drink as much and therefore, will not be as rowdy. Don't look at me.
I'll have more to say about this once I've looked it over more thoroughly, but right now I'd say that's a schedule strength somewhere in the 150s. Not terrible, not great, just kind of "ehhh". You bet.
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