Saoirse Downs
The Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team represents Creighton University in NCAA Division I college basketball. The Bluejays play their home games at CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. Creighton has a rich basketball history, with a competitive team and a passionate fanbase. The Bluejays compete in the Big East Conference, which is known for its strong focus on basketball, and have enjoyed success in both the Missouri Valley Conference and the North Central Conference. The team has produced notable players such as Benoit Benjamin, who went on to have a successful NBA career, and has consistently performed well in the NCAA Tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the team | Creighton Bluejays |
| University | Creighton University |
| Location | Omaha, Nebraska |
| Home court | CHI Health Center Omaha |
| Conference | Big East Conference |
| Former conference | Missouri Valley Conference |
| NCAA Division | Division I |
| Number of MVC regular-season conference titles | 15 |
| Number of MVC tournament titles | 12 |
| Number of NCAA tournament appearances | 23 |
| Last NCAA Tournament appearance | 2024 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team
The Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team represents Creighton University in NCAA Division I college basketball. The Bluejays play in the Big East Conference, which they joined in 2013 following the Big East conference realignment. The team's home games take place at CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska.
Creighton University first sponsored men's basketball in 1916, and the team has a rich history of success. Arthur A. Schabinger, the coach of the Bluejays from 1922 to 1935, is credited with building the Creighton basketball program. Schabinger led the team to four titles in the North Central Conference, which they joined in 1923. In 1928, Schabinger guided Creighton to another conference, the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). During his tenure, Schabinger posted a remarkable 165–66 record, with eleven of his thirteen teams finishing first or second in the league.
Following Schabinger's successful coaching tenure, Eddie Hickey took over the Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team in 1935. Hickey, a dynamic and charismatic leader despite his modest height of 5'5", had previously quarterbacked Creighton University's football team in the 1920s. Hickey continued the team's winning tradition, immediately leading the Bluejays to the Missouri Valley title in his inaugural season as head coach. Hickey's teams were known for their explosive "controlled fast break" offense, which featured a style of play where the ball never touched the floor. By the early 1940s, Hickey had taken Creighton to new heights, including a third-place finish in the 1942 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
The Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team has continued to thrive in recent years. They reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 1962 and again in 1964 under the leadership of captain Paul Silas. The Bluejays have had numerous notable players, including Benoit Benjamin, who dominated college basketball in the early 1980s. Benjamin led the nation in blocked shots during the 1984–85 season and was the second-leading rebounder. He went on to have a successful 15-year NBA career after being drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Bluejays have a strong following, finishing sixth nationally in home attendance during the 2014–15 season, averaging 17,048 fans per home game. They have a total of 23 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a run to the second weekend of the tournament in 2021. The team has also won an impressive 15 MVC regular-season conference titles and 12 MVC tournament titles.
American Conference Basketball: Champion Crowned, Who Took the Title?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Creighton Bluejays basketball team home court
The Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team represents Creighton University in the NCAA Division I college basketball. The Bluejays play their home games at CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. The team has been playing at this venue since 2003, after previously playing at the Omaha Civic Auditorium from 1961 to 2003.
The Creighton Bluejays are a part of the Big East Conference, which they joined in 2013 following the conference realignment. The Big East is known for its rigorous schedule, with teams facing each conference opponent both home and away during the regular season. The conference is recognised for its physical style of play, strong fan support, and the talent it attracts, contributing to high standards in college basketball.
CHI Health Center Omaha is known for its passionate fanbase, with the Bluejays consistently setting NCAA home attendance records. In the 2014-15 season, Creighton finished sixth nationally in home attendance, averaging 17,048 fans per home game. The team's dedicated fans create an electric atmosphere that fuels the Bluejays' competitive drive and makes each game a dynamic and immersive experience.
Before joining the Big East, Creighton was a long-time member of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). The Bluejays have had tremendous success in the MVC, winning 15 regular-season conference titles and 12 tournament titles. The Omaha Civic Auditorium, their previous home court, witnessed this success, hosting five regular-season MVC champs and eight MVC Tournament champs.
Nike's Basketball Shoe Outsoles: Rubber, Traction, and Durability
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Creighton Bluejays basketball team history
The Creighton Bluejays, or Jays, are the athletic teams that represent Creighton University, a Jesuit/Catholic University in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. They compete in NCAA Division I in the Big East Conference, having moved from the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) in 2013.
The Bluejays men's basketball team has a rich history, with 26 appearances in the NCAA tournament and a record of 1705-1082 across their 105 seasons. They have won the MVC regular-season conference title 15 times and the MVC tournament 12 times.
The 1963–64 Bluejays team had a record of 22–7, which was a record for most wins in a season at the time. They were led by All-American and team captain Paul Silas, who led the nation in rebounding in his sophomore and junior years. Silas also guided the Bluejays to two NCAA tournament berths in his three-year career.
The 1983–84 season saw the Bluejays reach the NIT with a 17–14 record. The following season, Benoit Benjamin dominated NCAA Division I, leading the league in blocked shots and finishing as the second-leading rebounder. Benjamin went on to be drafted third overall in the 1985 NBA draft and enjoyed a 15-year career.
The 2005–06 season started with high hopes, but an injury to star guard Nate Funk derailed the campaign. Funk returned for the 2006–07 season and, alongside center Anthony Tolliver, helped the Bluejays to a 22–11 record and the MVC conference tournament title.
The Bluejays have continued to enjoy success in recent years, reaching the second weekend of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament for the first time in 2021. They reached the Elite Eight Regional Final in 2023, losing to eventual runner-up San Diego State. The team has also produced notable players such as Doug McDermott, who became the first consensus first-team All-American in Creighton basketball history in 2012.
UVA's Men's Basketball: National Championship Dreams
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Creighton Bluejays basketball team's notable coaches
Creighton University is a private, Jesuit university with campuses in Omaha, Nebraska; Phoenix, Arizona; and the Dominican Republic. The university's sports teams are nicknamed the Bluejays, and they compete in NCAA Division I athletics as part of the Big East conference.
The Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team has had several notable coaches throughout its history. Here is a detailed look at some of the most prominent coaches:
Arthur A. Schabinger: Schabinger took over the Bluejays program in 1922 after the graduation of Kearney, for whom he had been an assistant. During his tenure, Schabinger guided the team into its first conferences, the North Central Conference in 1923, and the Missouri Valley Conference in 1928. He is the winningest coach in Creighton's history, with a record of 165-66 from 1922 to 1935. Eleven of his 13 teams finished first or second in the league, including eight conference championships.
Eddie Hickey: Hickey, a Creighton alumnus, took over as head coach in 1935. Known as "The Little Giant," he stood at just 5'5" but had a dynamic presence. Hickey was a master of the fast break style of play, and he immediately led the Bluejays to the Missouri Valley title in his first season. Under his leadership, Creighton reached new heights, including their first NCAA tournament appearance and two National Invitation Tournaments.
John J. 'Red' McManus: McManus arrived at Creighton in 1959 with a successful coaching background. He transformed the team's style of play by implementing a fast-break offense and a box zone defense. His sharp recruiting and tough coaching quickly returned the Bluejays to prominence. During his tenure, the Bluejays reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 1962 and set a record for most wins in a season in 1963-64. McManus is remembered as a colourful character and one of college basketball's legendary coaches.
Eddie Sutton: Sutton began his Division I coaching career at Creighton in 1969. He led the Bluejays to their first NCAA tournament appearance as a head coach in 1974.
Greg McDermott: McDermott has been the head coach of the Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team since 2010. He replaced Dana Altman, who left for the University of Oregon. Under McDermott's leadership, the Bluejays have continued to build on their rich basketball history.
Top-Ranked Female Badminton Player Globally
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Creighton Bluejays basketball team's notable players
The Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team has a rich history, with 37 All-Americans and 19 NBA players among its alumni. Here are some notable players from the Creighton Bluejays basketball team:
Ed Beisser
Ed Beisser was a standout player for the Bluejays in the early 1940s. He was a 1943 Consensus First Team All-American and helped lead the team to success under coach Eddie Hickey.
Benoit Benjamin
Benoit Benjamin dominated college basketball during his time with the Bluejays in the early 1980s. He led the NCAA Division I in blocked shots and was the nation's second-leading rebounder during the 1984-85 season. Benjamin went on to have a successful 15-year NBA career, starting as the third overall draft pick by the Los Angeles Clippers.
Nate Funk
Nate Funk took the Creighton Bluejays by storm when he joined the team in 2003. He led the team in scoring and assists during his sophomore year and was instrumental in the team's success during the 2004-05 season, when they won the MVC conference crown. Funk's career with the Bluejays was unfortunately cut short by an injury, but he still managed to rack up an impressive 1,754 points, ranking sixth all-time in Creighton history.
Doug McDermott
Doug McDermott made history during his time with the Creighton Bluejays, becoming only the eighth player in Division I men's basketball history to score 3,000 career points. He was named Big East Player of the Year and consensus national player of the year during the team's first season in the Big East Conference. McDermott was also a consensus first-team All-American, capping off an impressive career with the Bluejays before moving on to the NBA.
Arthur A. Schabinger
Although not a player, special mention goes to Arthur A. Schabinger, Creighton's winningest men's basketball coach for 75 years. From 1922 to 1935, Schabinger posted a remarkable 165–66 record, with eleven of his thirteen teams finishing first or second in the league. His guidance and leadership helped build the foundation for Creighton's basketball program.
Cleaning Your Basketball Shoes: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Creighton Bluejays basketball team plays their home games at CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska.
Creighton University's basketball team competes in the Big East Conference, which it joined in 2013.
The Creighton Bluejays have a rich basketball history, with 15 MVC regular-season conference titles and 12 MVC tournament titles. The team has also made 23 appearances in the NCAA tournament and consistently sets NCAA home attendance records.
