The Creighton University men’s basketball team has achieved the distinction of making their 25th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, marking their ninth entrance in the past 13 years. The Bluejays, with a commendable record of 23-9, have secured the No. 3 seed and are set to compete against the No. 14 seed Akron (24-10) on Thursday, March 21 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Official game start time and television coverage details are yet to be disclosed, prompting fans to await further announcements.
In anticipation of the tournament lineup, the team convened at a public viewing event held within D.J. Sokol Arena on the Creighton campus to witness the bracket unveiling live on CBS.
Despite their recent defeat in the BIG EAST Conference tournament quarterfinals, the Bluejays have demonstrated fortitude throughout the season, culminating in a joint second-place finish in the regular-season standings. Leading the team are exceptional players, including Baylor Scheierman, Trey Alexander, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Steven Ashworth, and Mason Miller.
The team is led by head coach Greg McDermott, boasting an impressive coaching record with 323 wins and 159 losses in his 14th year with the Bluejays. Coach McDermott’s 12th NCAA Tournament appearance at the Division I level serves as a testament to his extensive experience and leadership in the sport.
Creighton’s impending participation in the NCAA Tournament adds to the school’s proud postseason legacy, securing their 25th postseason bid in the last 27 seasons, including 16 NCAA Tournament bids. The Bluejays boast a strong record, with victories in at least one game in 12 of their last 14 postseason appearances.
This year’s No. 3 seed for Creighton matches the program’s historical best, aligning with their prior No. 3 seed in 2014. Additionally, the team holds a 3-1 all-time record against Akron, with their most recent encounter resulting in a resounding 77-61 victory for the Bluejays back in 2012.
Looking towards the future, the victor of the Creighton/Akron contest will advance to face the winner of the match between No. 6 seed South Carolina and No. 11 seed Oregon, scheduled for Saturday.
Anticipation is mounting within the Creighton community in anticipation of the team’s looming performance in the NCAA Tournament. With the talent and determination exhibited by the players and coaching staff, supporters maintain an optimistic outlook regarding the Bluejays’ prospects in this year’s championship.