Monday, February 25, 2013
Concern for Creighton?
By Luke Lapinski
Creighton entered the 2012-13 campaign as one of the top teams to watch -- mid-major or otherwise. But the Bluejays have dropped six of their last 11, slipping completely out of the AP Top 25. And they're looking up at Wichita State in the Missouri Valley Conference standings.
With just two regular season games to go, Jeff Borzello of CBS Sports asks an interesting question: could Creighton miss the NCAA Tournament entirely? It's a long shot, to be sure. But Borzello presents a scenario where the Shockers topple the Bluejays in the regular season finale, then take down the conference title as well. At that point, there's at least a slim possibility that the MVC might only manage one bid. And it would obviously go to Wichita State.
Equally as bad for the team from Omaha would be if they stumbled, Wichita State cruised and an entirely different team -- say, Indiana State or Northern Iowa -- won the conference tourney. Then two MVC teams would be getting spots ahead of Creighton.
That said, it's still unlikely that the Jays will be left out of the Field of 68. And they have the personnel to make some noise once they get in. But they could sure make life a lot easier on themselves if they take care of business on the court over the next couple weeks -- particularly at home against the Shockers on Saturday.
