Fresno State Recap

Final Score: Fresno State 69, Creighton 54

Box Score

Recaps: CU | FSU
Media: OWH | Fresno Bee | AP

The Jays were hoping that the energetic effort that they showed at home against the then-ranked Xavier Musketeers would carry over and that they would finally put together a solid effort on the road. Unfortunately, that did not materialize. On Saturday night, the Jays were terrible from the floor, gave up way too many open looks to a hot shooting Fresno State Bulldog squad and FSU made them pay. Creighton was unable to keep the Bulldogs from getting out in transition, to set up their high flying perimeter oriented attack. Early in the game, Fresno State flat out couldn't miss, with Hector Hernandez and Eddie Miller leading the way with 14 and 13 points respectively.

Like most perimeter oriented teams, FSU ebbed and flowed throughout the game, riding the hot and cold streaks as they continued to bomb away from downtown. What killed Creighton in the end was the complete inability to execute and to flat out hit open shots. While there was a good share of defensive breakdowns in this game, the story of the night isn't that the Jays couldn't guard, or even that the Bulldogs were on fire: it's that this Creighton team is right now one of the worst shooting squads we've had in quite some time. For good stretches of the game, the Jays were able to get the sort of looks that they expect to get and that Altman's high post offense is designed to created, yet they are not converting. Creighton was 4/23 from the three point line on the night and a horrid 0/13 in the second half. College basketball is a guard-driven, perimeter shooting game. Traditionally, Creighton squads have been able to knock down the open looks and put that pressure on the opposition that they need to win. Much has been discussed about the upgrade in talent and athleticism on this Bluejay squad. That may be the case, however, but the Jays do not have the sort of raw ability to overcome such anemic shooting nights as the Jays have been suffering so far this season.

Right now, one has to admit that there's something seriously wrong with this team. The struggles that the Jays are more serious that simply "not gelling together." To this point in the season, this is one of the worst shooting teams of the Altman era. Through the first seven games, Creighton has had strong play from Anthony Tolliver in the post and on the boards. While Dane Watts has had some up and downs in his shooting touch as well, he's been consistent in his hard nose play and has been a force on the boards. Last night, both AT and Watts combined for 28 points and 22 rebounds. If you had told me before the game we could get that sort of production down low and would end up being trounced by 15, I wouldn't have believed you.

When looking at the guard play, with Nate Funk, it's not a lack of effort in my mind. Nate has been off on his shot, there is no question about that. At this point, it has to become a thought if there might be some lingering effects of the labrum surgery from last season that are still affecting his shot. However, Nate has been trying to take the ball to the basket and trying to create higher percentage looks to help compensate from the lack of production outside. In terms of Josh Dotzler, he is still not fully recovered from his knee surgery. He doesn't have nearly the sort of movement and ability to cut as he did last year and it is limiting his game.

Bigger problems come from the production that the team is getting from Nick Porter. Porter has a wealth of physical talent, with his size and ability to power his way past his defender and draw contact. However, he's never been able to put together the sort of consistent effort that we need from him to be a key piece for this team. We need Nick to take the ball to the basket and create. When outside shots aren't falling, the key is to take the ball inside and take higher percentage shots. A key part of that is going to have to be Nick's game.

Also, much discussion has been made about Pierce Hibma and his role on the team. Pierce is a hard working kid and is a model representative of the program and the University. Hibma does contribute in a lot of ways, not all that show up on a box score. However, Pierce is an offensive liability on the court and, when the team is struggling to score as it is now, his difficulties become magnified. I am not as hard on Pierce as some, as I do think the problems aren't just him or aren't even primarily him, but at this point, every bit counts.

I'm not a coach and, quite frankly, I'm not sure of all the answers. What this team needs, however, is a recommitment to the offensive side of the ball and to understand the weight of the situation that we're now in. It is still early in the season but, unless we see Hawaii in the Rainbow Classic, we have no significant non-conference road wins to our credit. Right now, this team is not playing at an NCAA Tournament caliber level and don't expect the path to get any easier from this point. It's time to get to business and do it quickly.