The Creighton BlueJays are the third ranked team coming out of the Big East. Carrying a 15-5 Conference record. An overall record of 20-9. They rank 56th in points scored and 23rd in points per game in the nation. The BlueJays also rank 11th in the nation in 3-point percentage and field goal percentage. The one area they do lack in is rebounds per game and free throw percentage. That is an area Colorado can capitalize on. They do rank first in assists, and assists per turnover a game, so this is a team who knows how to handle the ball well.
Creighton was coming off of a 4 game win streak and looking for a fifth to finish out their regular season until they played DePaul. They ended up falling to them in Nebraska right before the Big East Tournament. On came the best in the Big East and they faltered again against Seton Hall in the second round. A tight game ending in a Pirates win 66-65 against the BlueJays.
The BlueJays are led by sophomore forward Emma Ronsiek who averages 15.0 points and 5.2 rebounds a game. Shooting 50 percent from the field and a 37 percent three-point shooter. At guard Lauren Jensen comes in just behind her at 12.3 points a game with a 43 percent field goal, and 45 percent at three-point range. Their third and last player who averages double digits is Morgan Maly who averages 12.1 points and 3.6 rebounds who is versatile and can go guard or forward.
This is a team that can score however they have no gigantic wins in the Big East. The only ranked team they played was UConn when they were ranked 11th, then 10th. Their last meeting was led by a 20 point loss, though their first meeting was just an 8 point defeat.
Now we can’t entirely fault them for succumbing to the Huskies, they are very hard team to beat. Colorado had a similar experience when they played the Stanford Cardinals three times this season and fell all three times. However, the Buffaloes do have another two wins against top 25 teams. The Oregon win and the Arizona win gives them the edge with their strength of schedule.
If we go by their last 10 wins Colorado is 8-2. Great way to finish off the year. Creighton is 6-4 to close it out. The Buffs are the 5th best coming out of the Pac-12 with a 9-7 conference record. A 22-8 record overall for JR Payne’s squad.
Colorado is ranked 150th in the nation at points scored a game, so they do have to rely on the defense a lot. Field goal percentages is decent at 41 percent. At the free throw line it can be their bread and butter or their Achilles heel. It’s won them games and lost them games. 3-point percentage stands at 30 percent but they seem to land the three’s when it matters the most. They stand over the 200 mark at total rebounds a game, but where they shine bright is offensive rebounds. As long as they are consistently getting production with the offensive boards they are hard team to beat. Not to mention they led the Pac-12 in steals getting the other team to turn the ball over is their biggest ally.
Led by the sensational forward and first team All-Pac-12 Mya Hollingshed at 14 points a game and 7 rebounds. She shoots over 38 percent at the 3-point line and 42 percent from the field. Sixth women of the year center Quay Miller follows just behind with 11.3 points a game and 5.3 rebounds. Shooting 51 percent from the field. Frida Formann gathers in 7.8 points a game but she always seems to be an offensive presence. Peanut Tuitele come in at forward with 7.3 points with a 53 percent field goal percentage, and really one of my favorite players to watch. She carries so much strength and toughness for this team.
At guard freshman Jaylyn Sherrod breaks in at 7.4 points a game, already one of the freshman of the week. She is an emotional and passionate leader for this team. Second freshman guard Kindyll Wetta at 4 points a game but her defense is really unmatched. She once led the league in steals and made the Pac-12 All-Defensive first team and first team All-Freshman.
If Lesila Finau and Tameiya Sadler can get back on the floor at any point, it would really help this team who has struggled to put points on the board as of late. This is a very unselfish and deep team so when they are on they can be an unstoppable one to beat.
The key to this victory will be keeping the kind of pace Colorado wants to have. They will have to come out and get their offensive production back on track. Buffs will need to have a decent showing at the free-throw line, and produce well when Mya Hollingshed is double teamed, and she will be. A strong performance by the defense is a given. Playing strong smart basketball that JR Payne has instilled in them is key. Come out strong so they aren’t always racing back to steal the lead the end. Play with tenacious defense, togetherness, and resiliency like they have all season and you will see the Buffs go out on top and head to round two of the NCAAW Tournament.