Creighton Bluejays men's basketball
Encyclopedia
The Creighton Bluejays basketball team is the NCAA Division I men's basketball program of Creighton University
in Omaha
, Nebraska
. They currently compete in the Missouri Valley Conference
. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2007
. The Bluejay's all time record is 1,386-938
The Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team plays their home games at Qwest Center Omaha
(17,560), currently the largest arena in the Missouri Valley Conference
and the state of Nebraska
. Since moving from the Omaha Civic Auditorium
to Qwest Center Omaha
for the 2003-2004 season, Creighton's average home game attendance has been in the top 30 nationally. Last season, Creighton's average home game attendance was 14,495 15th in NCAA Division I.
Creighton's men's basketball program has been a member of the Missouri Valley Conference since the 1977-78 season. Prior to the 1977-78 season, the Jays participated as an Independent from 1948-1977.
. Their combined record is 9–17.
s. Their combined record is 5–10.
. Their record is 4–2.
Bluejays in the NBA
Qwest Center Omaha
Creighton University
Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...
in Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. They currently compete in the Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2007
2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 NCAA schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2006–07 basketball season...
. The Bluejay's all time record is 1,386-938
The Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team plays their home games at Qwest Center Omaha
Qwest Center Omaha
CenturyLink Center is an arena and convention center facility in the North Downtown neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska. The 1.1 million ft² facility has an 18,300-seat arena, a 194,000-ft² exhibition hall and 62,000 ft² of meeting space....
(17,560), currently the largest arena in the Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
and the state of Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. Since moving from the Omaha Civic Auditorium
Omaha Civic Auditorium
The Omaha Civic Auditorium is a multi-purpose convention center in Omaha, Nebraska. Opened in 1954, it surpassed the Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum as the largest convention/entertainment complex in the city, until the completion of CenturyLink Center Omaha in 2003....
to Qwest Center Omaha
Qwest Center Omaha
CenturyLink Center is an arena and convention center facility in the North Downtown neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska. The 1.1 million ft² facility has an 18,300-seat arena, a 194,000-ft² exhibition hall and 62,000 ft² of meeting space....
for the 2003-2004 season, Creighton's average home game attendance has been in the top 30 nationally. Last season, Creighton's average home game attendance was 14,495 15th in NCAA Division I.
Creighton's men's basketball program has been a member of the Missouri Valley Conference since the 1977-78 season. Prior to the 1977-78 season, the Jays participated as an Independent from 1948-1977.
NCAA Tournament Results
The Bluejays have appeared in 16 NCAA TournamentsNCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
. Their combined record is 9–17.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result/Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 1941 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament -External links:* on Shrp Sports * , source for much of the information on this page.-See also:* 1941 NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament... |
First Round Regional Third Place Game |
Washington State Wyoming |
L 48–39 W 45–44 |
| 1962 1962 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament -Mideast region:-Midwest region:-West region:-Final Four:-External links:* on Shrp Sports * , source for much of the information on this page.... |
First Round Sweet Sixteen Regional Third Place Game |
Memphis State Cincinnati Texas Tech |
W 87–83 L 66–46 W 63–61 |
| 1964 1964 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1964 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 25 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball in the United States. It began on March 9, 1964, and ended with the championship game on March 21 in Kansas... |
First Round Sweet Sixteen Regional Third Place Game |
Oklahoma City Wichita State Texas Western |
W 89–78 L 84–68 L 63–52 |
| 1974 1974 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1974 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 25 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It was the first tournament to officially be designated as a Division I championship—previously, NCAA member... |
First Round Sweet Sixteen Regional Third Place Game |
Texas Kansas Louisville |
W 77–61 L 55–54 W 80–71 |
| 1975 1975 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1975 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 32 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 15, 1975, and ended with the championship game on March 31 in San Diego, California... |
First Round | Maryland | L 83–79 |
| 1978 1978 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1978 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 32 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 11, 1978, and ended with the championship game on March 27 in St. Louis, Missouri... |
First Round | DePaul | L 80–78 |
| 1981 1981 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1981 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 48 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 12, 1981, and ended with the championship game on March 30 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania... |
First Round | St. Joseph's | L 59–57 |
| 1989 1989 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1989 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 16, 1989, and ended with the championship game on April 3 in Seattle, Washington... |
First Round | Missouri | L 85–69 |
| 1991 1991 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1991 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 14, 1991, and ended with the championship game on April 1 in Indianapolis, Indiana... |
First Round Second Round |
New Mexico State Seton Hall |
W 64–56 L 81–69 |
| 1999 1999 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1999 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 11, 1999, and ended with the championship game on March 29 at Tropicana Field in St.... |
First Round Second Round |
Louisville Maryland |
W 62–58 L 75–63 |
| 2000 2000 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 2000 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 16, 2000, and ended with the championship game on April 3 in Indianapolis, Indiana... |
First Round | Auburn | L 72–69 |
| 2001 2001 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 2001 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 13, 2001 with the play-in game, and ended with the championship game on April 2 in... |
First Round | Iowa | L 69–56 |
| 2002 2002 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 2002 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 12, 2002, and ended with the championship game on April 1 in Atlanta, Georgia... |
First Round Second Round |
Florida Illinois |
W 83–82 L 72–60 |
| 2003 2003 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 2003 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 18, 2003, and ended with the championship game on April 7 in New Orleans, Louisiana... |
First Round | Central Michigan | L 79–73 |
| 2005 2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 15, 2005, and ended with the championship game on April 4 at the Edward Jones Dome in St... |
First Round | West Virginia | L 63–61 |
| 2007 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 NCAA schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2006–07 basketball season... |
First Round | Nevada | L 77–71 OT |
NIT Results
The Bluejays have appeared in 10 National Invitation TournamentNational Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
s. Their combined record is 5–10.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result/Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 1942 National Invitation Tournament The 1942 National Invitation Tournament was the 1942 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 8 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket.... |
Quarterfinals Final Four Third Place Game |
West Texas State Western Kentucky Toledo |
W 59–58 L 49–36 W 48–46 |
| 1943 1943 National Invitation Tournament The 1943 National Invitation Tournament was the 1943 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 8 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket.... |
Quarterfinals | Washington & Jefferson | L 43–42 |
| 1977 1977 National Invitation Tournament The 1977 National Invitation Tournament was the 1977 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 16 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket.... |
First Round | Illinois State | L 65–58 |
| 1984 1984 National Invitation Tournament -Semifinals & Finals:*Third Place - Virginia Tech 71, Southwestern Louisiana 70... |
First Round | Nebraska | L 56–54 |
| 1990 1990 National Invitation Tournament -Semifinals & Finals:*Third Place - Penn State 83, New Mexico 81... |
First Round | DePaul | L 89–72 |
| 1998 1998 National Invitation Tournament -Semifinals & Finals:*Third Place - Georgia 95, Fresno State 79Minnesota later forfeited its entire 1997-98 schedule due to an academic fraud scandal.... |
First Round | Marquette | L 80–68 |
| 2004 2004 National Invitation Tournament -Semifinals & Finals:... |
Opening Round | Nebraska | L 71–70 |
| 2006 2006 National Invitation Tournament -Michigan Bracket:-Louisville Bracket:-Cincinnati Bracket:-Semifinals & Finals:... |
First Round Sweet Sixteen |
Akron Miami (FL) |
W 71–60 L 53–52 |
| 2008 2008 National Invitation Tournament -Semifinals and Final:Played at Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 1 and 3* - Overtime game.-External links:*... |
First Round Sweet Sixteen |
Rhode Island Florida |
W 74–73 L 82–54 |
| 2009 2009 National Invitation Tournament -Semifinals and finals:Played at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 31 and April 2* denotes each overtime played-NIT Championship:... |
First Round Sweet Sixteen |
Bowling Green Kentucky |
W 73–71 L 65–63 |
CBI Results
The Bluejays have appeared in 1 College Basketball InvitationalCollege Basketball Invitational
The College Basketball Invitational is a men's college basketball tournament created in 2007 by The Gazelle Group. The inaugural tournament occurred after the conclusion of the 2007–08 men's college basketball regular season. The CBI selects 16 teams that are not selected for the NCAA Tournament...
. Their record is 4–2.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result/Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 2011 College Basketball Invitational The 2011 College Basketball Invitational was a single-elimination tournament of 16 NCAA Division I teams that did not participate in the 2011 NCAA Tournament nor the 2011 National Invitation Tournament. The opening round began Tuesday, March 15... |
First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals Game 1 Finals Game 2 Finals Game 3 |
San Jose State Davidson Central Florida Oregon Oregon Oregon |
W 77–70 W 102–92 W 82–64 W 84–76 L 71–58 L 71–69 |
CIT Results
The Bluejays have appeared in 1 CollegeInsider.com Tournament. Their combined record is 2–1.| Year | Round | Opponent | Result/Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 2010 CollegeInsider.com Tournament The 2010 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament was a postseason single-elimination tournament of 16 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I teams.... |
First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals |
South Dakota Fairfield Missouri State |
W 89–78 W 73–55 L 67–61 |
Career Scoring Leaders
| Name | Points |
|---|---|
| Rodney Buford Rodney Buford Rodney Alan "The Sheriff" Buford, is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada.... |
2,116 |
| Bob Harstad | 2,110 |
| Chad Gallagher Chad Gallagher Chad Austin Gallagher is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA. A 6'10" center played collegiately at Creighton University from 1987 to 1991, and was selected with the fifth pick in the 2nd round of the 1991 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns.Gallagher's NBA career consisted of 2... |
1,983 |
| Bob Portman Bob Portman Robert M. Portman is an American former professional basketball player. At 6'6" and 200 lb. he was positioned as a forward.... |
1,876 |
| Kyle Korver Kyle Korver Kyle Elliot Korver is an American basketball player, who currently plays for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association... |
1,801 |
| Nate Funk Nate Funk Nathan Funk is a 6'3" American basketball player who recently finished his collegiate basketball career at Creighton University.... |
1,754 |
| Rick Apke | 1,682 |
| Paul Silas Paul Silas Paul Theron Silas is a retired American professional basketball player and current head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. He attended Creighton University, where he set an NCAA record for the most rebounds in three seasons and averaged 20.6 rebounds per game in 1963... |
1,661 |
| Vernon Moore | 1,654 |
| Benoit Benjamin Benoit Benjamin Lenard Benoit Benjamin is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1st round of the 1985 NBA Draft. A 7'0" center from Creighton University, Benjamin played for nine NBA teams in 15 seasons from 1985-2000... |
1,575 |
Bluejays in the NBANational Basketball AssociationThe National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
- Wally AnderzunasWally AnderzunasWalter Charles Anderzunas was an American basketball player.He attended high school in Omaha, Nebraska and collegiately for the Creighton University....
- Benoit BenjaminBenoit BenjaminLenard Benoit Benjamin is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1st round of the 1985 NBA Draft. A 7'0" center from Creighton University, Benjamin played for nine NBA teams in 15 seasons from 1985-2000...
- Rodney BufordRodney BufordRodney Alan "The Sheriff" Buford, is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada....
- Chad GallagherChad GallagherChad Austin Gallagher is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA. A 6'10" center played collegiately at Creighton University from 1987 to 1991, and was selected with the fifth pick in the 2nd round of the 1991 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns.Gallagher's NBA career consisted of 2...
- Neil JohnsonNeil Johnson (basketball)Neil A. Johnson is a retired American basketball player.A 6'7" forward/center from Creighton University, Johnson played four seasons in the National Basketball Association as a member of the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns , then spent three seasons in the American Basketball Association...
- Kyle KorverKyle KorverKyle Elliot Korver is an American basketball player, who currently plays for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association...
- Elton McGriff
- Kevin McKennaKevin McKennaKevin James McKenna is a Canadian professional soccer player who currently plays for 1. FC Köln in the German Bundesliga...
- Bob PortmanBob PortmanRobert M. Portman is an American former professional basketball player. At 6'6" and 200 lb. he was positioned as a forward....
- Paul SilasPaul SilasPaul Theron Silas is a retired American professional basketball player and current head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. He attended Creighton University, where he set an NCAA record for the most rebounds in three seasons and averaged 20.6 rebounds per game in 1963...
- Anthony TolliverAnthony TolliverAnthony Tolliver an American professional basketball player who plays for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. He attended Creighton University in Nebraska.-High school and college career:...
Roster
Trivia
- Creighton is the only NCAA Division-I men's basketball team with a Bluejay as its mascot.
- During the 2006-2007 season, the average attendance at a Creighton men's basketball home game was 15,909, which was good enough for 13th in the nation.
- From 1961-2003, the Creighton men's basketball team played their home games at the Omaha Civic AuditoriumOmaha Civic AuditoriumThe Omaha Civic Auditorium is a multi-purpose convention center in Omaha, Nebraska. Opened in 1954, it surpassed the Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum as the largest convention/entertainment complex in the city, until the completion of CenturyLink Center Omaha in 2003....
. The "Civic" was the home the Creighton women's basketball and volleyball teams until 2009, when they moved into the D.J. Sokol Arena at the Ryan Center in 2009. The building is located just North of Morrison Stadium - Benoit BenjaminBenoit BenjaminLenard Benoit Benjamin is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1st round of the 1985 NBA Draft. A 7'0" center from Creighton University, Benjamin played for nine NBA teams in 15 seasons from 1985-2000...
is the only player in Creighton men's basketball team history to have recorded a triple-double in a single game. - Creighton is the only program to have won games in the NCAA, NIT, CBI, and CIT tournaments.
Qwest Center Omaha
Qwest Center Omaha
CenturyLink Center is an arena and convention center facility in the North Downtown neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska. The 1.1 million ft² facility has an 18,300-seat arena, a 194,000-ft² exhibition hall and 62,000 ft² of meeting space....