Creighton men’s basketball is back at work after time off for the holidays, and the Bluejays have a big test to close out 2024 as St. John’s visits for a New Year’s Eve clash.
Creighton had nine days between games, though that included a few days off for the players to spend Christmas with their families. The Bluejays made good use of the break, healing up some lingering injuries and continuing to adjust to the loss of Pop Isaacs and the addition of Fedor Žugić.
“We had a couple practices after, one good practice the day after the ‘Nova game and then we did workouts the next morning,” Coach Greg McDermott said before Sunday’s practice. “Everybody was back here two days ago, ready to go on the 27th, and we had a good practice late that afternoon and a good one yesterday. I think some of the bumps and bruises are gradually healing up, which is nice, so we’ve been able to have more of those guys on the practice floor more consistently, which obviously we need.
“We’re playing a really good team, so it’s going to take a great effort on our part on Tuesday afternoon.”
St. John’s (11-2) is currently ranked 16th in KenPom and 29th in the NET. The Red Storm has four players averaging double figures in scoring and a fifth just below that. R.J. Luis, a 6-foot-7 wing, leads the way at 17.9 per game in his second season at St. John’s. Big man Zuby Ejiofor is next at 14.7 points 6.8 rebounds per game, including a nation-leading 4.6 on the offensive end.
Transfer guards Deivon Smith (10.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game) and Kadary Richmond (10.3 points. 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game) stuff the stat sheet, while sophomore Simeon Wilcher is adding 9.9 points per game while shooting 40.5% from 3.
“You could argue Deivon Smith and Kadary in the guard court maybe is as big of a portal land as anybody in the country in terms of two guards. RJ has improved. Wilcher was playing great at the end of last season and he’s kind of carried that over. Then their inside guys have really given them some good looks with their physicality and ability to run the floor.”
The Red Storm’s two losses have come to Baylor (99-98 in double-overtime) and Georgia (66-63), both in the Baha Mar Championship in the Bahamas. St. John’s has wins over Virginia and Kansas State and is 2-0 in Big East play against DePaul and Providence.
“This is a team that probably should have beat Baylor, lost a double-overtime, and then lost a really close game to Georgia,” McDermott said. “They’re two baskets away from being undefeated and ranked in the top five in the country; that’s how good they are. Last night they played 11 guys against Delaware. They’re just running guys in and out. Much like Alabama has, they have great depth. They’ve been able to recruit a really good roster.”
St. John’s is 28th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 17th in defense, which includes a top-35 mark in forcing turnovers (21.6%). The Red Storm is 23rd in steals with a 13.1% rate. Turnovers have been a problem for Creighton this season (267th at 19.1% of their possessions), and the Jays will have to be ready for full-court pressure from the Johnnies.
“They’re a tough, gritty team,” Shane Thomas said. “We’re going to have to take care of the ball, not turn the ball over. It’ll be a tough, gritty win, but we’ll have to get it done.”
Where the Red Storm excels on offense is crashing the glass. They are 12th nationally, rebounding 39% of their misses. Ejiofor leads the way, but four others average at least one per game as well.
“The first thing is we have to get them to miss, and then your work starts,” McDermott said. “Villanova rebounded about 40% of their misses and we did a decent job with them. The difference with St. John’s is they’ll send more guys. Smith from the point guard position, will go in and rebound. A lot of times your point guard, your off guard, they can kind of help on somebody else, boxing out. This is a game where they have to be responsible for their own guy and understand that he’s coming and trying to make some plays.
“So it’s going to be a big part of the game. Our first shot defense is certainly going to be critical. But then our ability to, if we do give up an offensive rebound, let’s put our defense back together and make sure it doesn’t cost us.”
The time between games has given McDermott a chance to integrate Žugić after the NCAA granted him immediate eligibility ahead of the Villanova game. He was on the court for 2:42 of the win over the Wildcats after spending the first part of the season on the scout team in practice.
“It’s going to be a process; that’s just the reality of it,” McDermott said. “He’s missed so much and we’re trying to fast track it. We’re actually bouncing Mason [Miller] and Jasen [Green] over to the scout team, back and forth a little bit, even though they need reps with the top team, just so we get Fedor some reps just so we can get a look at is he grasping what we’re asking him to do on both ends before? Is he fitting in with the guys he’s playing with?
“It’s going to take some time, it’s going to be a process, but I don’t think there’s any question that before the season’s over, I think he’s going to be able to help us.”
While Žugić finds his footing, Creighton will continue to rely on Steven Ashworth driving the offense. McDermott said he is dealing with a hip pointer from the collision late against Villanova, but Ashworth practiced in full Sunday and will be ready to go Tuesday.
The game is set for a 3 p.m. CT tipoff on Peacock with John Fanta and Nick Bahe on the call.
