Indians try to catch No. 18 Creighton napping

OMAHA, Neb. -- Gary Garner hopes Creighton is thinking about Xavier and not Southeast Missouri State University.

Garner knows that would benefit his Indians (5-5) today when they shoot for an upset against the 18th-ranked Bluejays (9-0). The tipoff is 2 p.m. at Omaha's Civic Auditorium.

The Bluejays play Tuesday at 20th-ranked Xavier.

"They've got a really big game against Xavier coming up and I just hope they look past us," Garner said. "It would be understandable if they did."

No matter the Bluejays' mindset today, Garner realizes the Indians will be hard-pressed to hang in with a traditionally strong program that has gained more attention this season.

Creighton went 23-9 last year and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bluejays returned all five starters and 10 of 12 letter winners from that squad. They are picked to win their third consecutive Missouri Valley Conference title.

So far, Creighton has lived up to its preseason hype -- and then some. The Bluejays, ranked for the first time since 1975, handed eighth-ranked Notre Dame its only loss so far. They destroyed Tennessee Tech, one of the preseason Ohio Valley Conference favorites, 101-72 after leading by as many as 40 points.

Creighton scored 106 points in one game and averages more than 84 points per contest. The Bluejays outscore opponents by an average of nearly 20 points per game.

"Looking at the tape of some of their games, I'm just sick," Garner said, only half kidding. "You look at what they've done so far this year, some of the teams they've beaten, and the way they're beating most teams. Most of their games haven't even been remotely close. They're just really good."

While the Bluejays feature a deep and talented roster, their star is forward Kyle Korver, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound senior and the reigning MVC Player of the Year.

Korver is most dangerous from long range and has hit 42 of 81 three-pointers for 51.9 percent. Korver, who has made just 11 two-point field goals, is the Bluejays' top rebounder (5.6 per game) and is second in assists with 29.

Only one other Creighton player averages in double figures -- 6-8 junior center Brody Deren (10.0 ppg) -- but that's partly because the Bluejays are deep and have had so many blowouts. Ten players average at least 13 minutes per game.

The Bluejays are strong offensively and defensively, as evidenced by their 52.2 percent field-goal shooting and by limiting opponents to just 40.7 percent from the floor.

"I really believe they're a top-10 team in the nation," Garner said. "They're that good."

That being said, Garner knows the Indians have nothing to lose as they shoot for an upset. They have confidence following their most recent performance, a 70-53 rout of Southwest Missouri on Dec. 21.

"Creighton has a great team, but it's a good chance for us to see how we can do against one of the best teams in the nation. We're looking forward to playing them," guard Derek Winans said.

Added guard Brett Hale, "After playing the way we did against Southwest Missouri, we'll have a lot of confidence. We've heard all about Creighton and how good they are, but we'll just play our best and see what happens."

If the Indians are going to stay in the game, Garner says they'll have to solve Creighton's press and keep things close early.

"They always get off to a fast start. They've outscored their opponents 79-31 in the first five minutes of games," Garner said. "They're going to press from the opening buzzer. We've been really good against the press so far, so hopefully we can handle it."

Southeast should be about as healthy for the contest as it has been in a while since Hale (back) and guard Kevin Roberts (foot) appear to be at nearly full strength.

Forward Reggie Golson, who has appeared in just one game this season as he continues to battle knee problems, probably won't play again today and there is a possibility that Golson will be redshirted. A decision on that will have to be made within the next few games.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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