Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs. Creighton Bluejays Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2024
Preview and Prediction
Anticipations remain extremely high for No. 15 Creighton to continue to amass victories despite the team enduring significant departures from last season.
The main reason for hope lies with Ryan Kalkbrenner, a three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year and this year's conference preseason Player of the Year.
While the Bluejays say goodbye to Baylor Scheierman and Trey Alexander, they will turn to a familiar face in Kalkbrenner as they strive for their 30th consecutive home-opening triumph on Wednesday night against UT Rio Grande Valley in Omaha, Neb.
See also:
"Recap of the Top 25: No. 6 Gonzaga Dominates No. 8 Baylor in Season Opener"
See also:
'Fourth Transfer Portal Move for Tyreek Smith Prior to Memphis Opener'
Kalkbrenner averaged 17.3 points per game while shooting an impressive 64.6 percent from the field last season to help Creighton achieve a 25-10 record and advance to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the third time in four years. The 7-foot-1, 270-pound senior also averaged 7.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game in 2023-24.
"Ryan deserves more recognition," Bluejays coach Greg McDermott stated at Big East media day. "He will not only be remembered as one of the best players to ever wear a Creighton uniform, but also as one of the top centers to have played in the Big East."
Kalkbrenner will not have to carry the load alone, however. Steven Ashworth, a preseason All-Big East third-team selection, also returns after averaging 11.1 points and starting every game last season.
"To have your point guard and your center back, it is an excellent starting point," McDermott said. "Their leadership has been exceptional thus far, and it will be crucial as we navigate through the toughest non-conference schedule we have ever faced. We will need them to step up."
Texas Tech transfer Pop Isaacs and Arizona State transfer Jamiya Neal will also look to make an impact. Isaacs averaged 15.8 points per game last season for the Red Raiders, while Neal contributed 11.0 points in 2023-24 with the Sun Devils.
Isaacs tallied 24 points and six assists to help Creighton record a 93-87 victory over Purdue in an exhibition game on Oct. 26.
"Let's have a few more rehearsals for these guys against some high-quality competition," McDermott said. "A couple of our freshmen will need to step up and help us, and I believe Pop and Jamiya will be fantastic as the season progresses."
See also:
Rutgers' Promising Newcomer Ace Bailey (hip) Will Be Absent for Season Opener
See also:
Kansas secures commitment from highly-ranked guard Darryn Peterson for 2025 season
The newcomers will need to do a lot to balance out the losses of Scheierman (18.5 points per game, 9.0 rebounds) and Alexander (17.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.7 assists per game). Scheierman now plays for the Boston Celtics, while Alexander is suiting up for the Denver Nuggets.
UT Rio Grande Valley (0-1) gave Nebraska a scare in its season opener before falling 87-67 on Monday.
The Vaqueros bounced back from a 15-point, second-half deficit and trailed 69-65 after K.T. Raimey's basket with 5:52 remaining.
Raimey scored 14 points, Cliff Davis had 12 on four 3-pointers, and Tommy Gankhuyag and DK Thorn added 11 points each while connecting three times apiece from beyond the arc for UTRGV.
"There is still a long way to go," first-year Vaqueros coach Kahil Fennell said of a team that finished 6-25 last season.
"It is a significant undertaking with everything we are trying to implement with no continuity from last season. There is a lot of progress yet to be made, but our guys are working extremely hard. I am proud of their efforts, and I believe we are continuing to improve. I am excited about that."