What Happened to Creighton

[Deanthonybowdenfan]

Just want to get Opinions from others around the Valley on the reason you think Creighton is so much worse now than they were earlier... In my opinion it is mostly COACHING. Maybe i'm spoiled on coaching after so many years with Altman, idk. But it just seems to me like Bo Pelini could coach this team better than this. From not playing our bench when we were winning games by 20 points, to not adjusting to the way teams have been scouting us, to not having an offense ? I'm not a genius so thats why I want your opinions, but it seems to me that with good coaching this team should still be the same team that it was to begin the year, if not better.

[GoShockers89]

No idea why, but it seems like Wragge, Dingman, Manigat and Chatman have completely lost their confidence since the loss @ WSU. Doug and Gibbs are steady and reliable. Ech is good when he gets the ball, but that has been rare over the last month.

CU looks like a team playing scared to lose. I guess that probably has to rest on the coach ultimately.

[shockem]

could be fatigue, could be better scouting as the year goes on. Creighton is a solid team but they're missing some pieces. They could use another strong big body underneath and a slasher. You can't win all your games playing finesse ball and making jump shots.

[BCPanther]

I sit right behind the visitor bench in Cedar Falls, 4 rows up.

There were three or four times where Manigat or Chatman would make a mistake (turnover, missed shot, bad defensive rotation) where Mac just absolutely ripped into them as they were coming off the floor or into a timeout. Just screamed. Gibbs, Dougie, and Echenique would make a mistake and he didn't say a word or sent The Little General to do it. I think there is a clear divide on that team as to how guys are treated and Mac has lost the locker room.

He had the same issue on the 06 team at UNI, when he elevated Jacobson (the player) and Erik Crawford (then a player) over other guys and just constantly rode Brooks McKowen for silly things like a single turnover.

He's not a good coach, he's not a good guy, and you are stuck with him. If Dougie goes (which he should), Creighton plays on Thursday night next year because there is no one to step in and have the confidence to succeed. It feels like he has already destroyed Manigat and he's working on Chatman and Johnson...

EDIT- Also enjoy playing at a fast pace while you have it. Next year he reverts to slow it down, run 1000 set plays, total control freak mode...

[CBB_Fan]

Mostly, I suspect it comes down to fatigue. It is a long season, and I think playing a fairly short rotation has caused tiny injuries and exhaustion to pile up. Creighton is still an offense-first ball club, and I think their defensive principles are starting to wane.

That means Creighton is pretty reliant on out-shooting their opponents to win. Before, when they were the #1 team in the country in offensive efficiency, they could get by with a few defensive lapses. In their last 4 losses, they've been shooting below 30% from the 3PT line. That puts pressure on a overly-taxed squad to play good defense, which is hard when they weren't the best defensive team to begin with.

If Creighton can secure an at-large bid, I think the fairly long period of rest between Arch Madness and the NCAA tournament will be good for them. They could be a VERY tough get for a team if they are fully rested.

[Heinro]

I think Creighton misses Young more than they thought. I also think fatigue is a major factor.

I don't know if CU will right the ship or not, I actually think they will with 2 weeks rest, but what I do know is I'd hate to be a 5 or 6 seed and get stuck playing them in the first round.

[valleychamp]

1) they were a little overrated to begin with.

2) fatigue due to Mac's instance on using a short bench.

3) Mac always struggles in Feb, particularly when seeing MVC teams the 2nd time. Reliance on fast tempo and making jumpers is also an issue.

[shoxrox]

1) they were a little overrated to begin with.

2) fatigue due to Mac's instance on using a short bench.

3) Mac always struggles in Feb, particularly when seeing MVC teams the 2nd time. Reliance on fast tempo and making jumpers is also an issue.

I agree with all 3 of these.

In addition, I'll add what I stated in another thread:

You can only play Suburban HORSE for so long before it finally catches up to you.

[rlh04d]

He's not a good coach, he's not a good guy, and you are stuck with him.

I think there's a very valid argument that he's not getting the best out of his players. He has the best player in the Valley, and one of the best in the country. Several people on first/second team all-conference. Once again they'll likely fail to win the regular season conference title after being predicted to win in the preseason. And a 1-4 record head to head against Marshall.

I'm not expecting too much out of Creighton once Doug is gone.

[tribecalledquest]

Agreed on the above. I also don't think the Jays are very tough nor athletic overall.

They will beat Bradley Wednesday though.