In an effort to get geared up for the UD season opener Saturday against Creighton, I will be using this week to look at the Creighton Bluejays. This post will look at five Jays that you should know going into the opener.
#1 Justin Carter - 6-4 Forward - Senior
The senior from Maryland had a rough game last year for the Bluejays against the Flyers in Omaha scoring only 2 points in 12 minutes. Averaging 8 points and 5.5 rebounds a game, Carter will be someone to watch on Saturday. He could struggle against the athleticism of the Flyers especially Chris Johnson and Chris Wright he will probably match up against. The JUCO transfer crashes the boards hard and the Flyers will need to make a concerted effort to keep him off the glass to be successful.
#10 P'Allen Stinnett - 6-3 Guard - Junior
One of the more unique names in college basketball, Stinnett was a tough match-up for the Flyers last year in Omaha scoring 13 points and leading the Jays to a huge win over UD. Stinnett averaged 12.5 points per game last year and is aggressive on defense finishing with over a steal per game. P'Allen has the ability to fill up the basket scoring 30 points last season against New Mexico. UD will need to be much better at stopping the Stinnett who is shooting the ball well for the Jays in their two exhibition games scoring a total of 32 points in 48 minutes of play.
#15 Kaleb Korver - 6-5 Guard - Junior
Flyer fans should be all too familiar with Korver and not because his older brother Kyle is playing in the NBA for the Utah Jazz. Kaleb was lethal for the Jays from beyond the arc last season and scored 12 points on 4-5 shooting from three. Generally a one dimensional player on offense, the Flyers can not afford to lose Korver on defense. A career 43.5 percent three point shooter, Kaleb can fill it up from the outside and is nearly automatic when he is open. Between Mickey, London, and Marcus, UD has to find a way to prevent Korver from getting open looks. Creighton shot 52 percent from three against Dayton last season, that can not happen again.
#25 Kenny Lawson Jr. - 6-9 Center - Junior
Essentially the only inside presence for the Jays, Kenny Lawson Jr. is relied on to handle the bulk of the interior offense and defense. Kenny is coming off a very productive exhibition game in which he scored 20 points and grabbed 7 boards. Lawson will be a good litmus test to see how the Flyers have improved on down low after being embarrassed by Kansas' Cole Aldrich for the first triple-double in the NCAA Tournament since Dwayne Wade. The combination of Huelsman, Searcy, Benson, and Kavanaugh will have to be physical and keep Lawnson in check.
#30 Antoine Young - 6-0 Guard - Sophomore
The point guard for the Jays, Young is a small and quick guard who distributes the ball very well. With 13 assists and no turnovers in exhibition play, Young is picking up right where he left off last season. London and Mickey will need to stay aggressive on Young and prevent him from finding open passing lanes. Mickey struggled against the quick point guard from NKU Scott Bibbins and will need to improve on defense for UD to be effective. The London and Mickey can apply pressure to Young in the back court, they should be able to force some turnovers from Young.
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