Analysis - Where Does Creighton Go From Here?

Join us on this episode of the Roll Jays podcast as we sit down with Mike Odom, Creighton University's Deputy Athletic Director for External Operations. We dive deep into the massive $300 million project that is set to transform the Creighton campus and the Omaha area. Mike explains the vision behind the Fly Together initiative, detailing how this investment will impact every student-athlete—from men's basketball to softball and baseball—by providing first-class facilities, including a brand-new sport performance center. In this episode, we discuss: -The origins of the Fly Together campaign and the need for more weight room space. -How Creighton aims to be the "gold standard" and the model program for the Big East. -The transformation of the McDermott Center, Sokol Arena, and Schwab Baseball Park. -Improving the student-athlete experience through better nutrition, mental health resources, and academic support. -The collaborative effort involving the Board of Trustees and the Heider family. Check out the Fly Together initiative here: https://gocreighton.com/sports/2025/3/20/fly-together 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite moment from the interview! You can also follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and socials... @BigEastEnergy 🎙️ Presented by the Big East Energy Podcast Network – your home for all things Big East basketball. Check out https://bigeastenergynetwork.com for more. Watch the Roll Jays Playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmPKVP3DPdG1zo8M2M8LIdmeOAFp8uAf5&si=WVBv6nWRwgMh-GSB Don't forget to like and subscribe to @BigEastEnergyNetwork on YouTube for the BEST coverage of Big East basketball. Big thanks to our network sponsor Homefield Apparel! Check them out at https://www.homefieldapparel.com #Creighton #Bluejays #BigEast #CollegeBasketball #Omaha #FlyTogether #RollJays #MikeOdom #CollegeAthletics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is it really like inside the Creighton Basketball program? In this episode of the Roll Jays Podcast, we sit down with the ultimate Creighton historian and Sports Information Director, Rob Anderson. From the transition to the Big East Conference to the rise of the Greg McDermott era, Rob has had a front-row seat to every buzzer-beater and March Madness run in modern Bluejay history. Rob Anderson reveals the strategic 'assist' he provided during Doug McDermott’s historic 2014 National Player of the Year campaign—from coordinating the viral Sports Illustrated cover to navigating the media frenzy that helped Doug sweep all 14 major awards. But the history doesn't stop there. As the ultimate keeper of the stats, Rob settles the scoreboard on the Bluejays’ biggest rivalries, including the surprising reveal of which coach holds the most career wins against Dan Hurley—an 'Easter egg' for Big East junkies that only a true SID would know. Whether you’re a fan of the Missouri Valley days or the modern Big East era, this is a masterclass in Bluejay heritage. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite moment from the interview! You can also follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and socials... @BigEastEnergy 🎙️ Presented by the Big East Energy Podcast Network – your home for all things Big East basketball. Check out https://bigeastenergynetwork.com for more. Watch the Roll Jays Playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmPKVP3DPdG1zo8M2M8LIdmeOAFp8uAf5&si=WVBv6nWRwgMh-GSB Don't forget to like and subscribe to @BigEastEnergyNetwork on YouTube for the BEST coverage of Big East basketball. Big thanks to our network sponsor Homefield Apparel! Check them out at https://www.homefieldapparel.com #creightonbasketball #RollJays #BigEast #CollegeBasketball #GregMcDermott #Bluejays #CBB #MarchMadness #OmahaSports #BigEastHoops #RobAnderson #CreightonHistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the conference season in full swing on the court, Coach Greg McDermott and his staff are working overtime on the recruiting trail to ensure Creighton’s future remains bright. In this episode of the Roll Jays podcast Casey pivots to the future, breaking down the biggest targets, visit dates, and latest offers in the 2026 and 2027 classes. From 5-star athleticism to the next generation of in-state talent, we look at how these potential additions fit the Bluejay system and what it means for the program's trajectory. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite moment from the interview! You can also follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and socials... @BigEastEnergy 🎙️ Presented by the Big East Energy Podcast Network – your home for all things Big East basketball. Check out https://bigenergymediapods.com/bigeastenergynetwork for more. Watch the Roll Jays Playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmPKVP3DPdG1zo8M2M8LIdmeOAFp8uAf5&si=WVBv6nWRwgMh-GSB Don't forget to like and subscribe to @BigEastEnergyNetwork on YouTube for the BEST coverage of Big East basketball. Big thanks to our network sponsor Homefield Apparel! Check them out at https://www.homefieldapparel.com #CreightonBasketball #NCAABasketball #BigEastBasketball #recruiting #basketballrecruiting #recruitingnews Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jimmie and Casey go live immediately after the game and break down the overtime win for Greg McDermott and the Bluejays agains Ed Cooley and the Georgetown Hoyas. Joining us is assistant coach Derek Kellogg who breaks down the game and gives his thoughts Austin Swartz 33pt performance! 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite moment from the interview! You can also follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and socials... @BigEastEnergy 🎙️ Presented by the Big East Energy Podcast Network – your home for all things Big East basketball. Check out https://bigenergymediapods.com/bigeastenergynetwork for more. Watch the Roll Jays Playlist here:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmPKVP3DPdG1zo8M2M8LIdmeOAFp8uAf5&si=WVBv6nWRwgMh-GSB Don't forget to like and subscribe to @BigEastEnergyNetwork on YouTube for the BEST coverage of Big East basketball. #RollJays #LetItFly #BigEastMBB #BigEast #NCAAMBB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coming off the heels of a blowout loss to St. John’s at the CHI Health Center, it’s time for a hard reset on expectations for the Creighton Bluejays. In this episode of the Roll Jays podcast, Jimmie Allen and Casey Matthews break down why the preseason hype has met a harsh reality and what Coach Greg McDermott’s staff must do to salvage the season. We dive deep into the following: The Lineup Shakeup:Why Ty Davis was thrust into the starting lineup and the ongoing debate between his energy and effort versus Nik Graves superior statistical output. A head-to-head "per-40" stat comparison between Ty Davis and Nick Graves. Is it time to return Graves to the starting five? The 5 Spot Struggle: Evaluating the rotation of Jasen Green and Owen Freeman. Freshman Impact: Hudson Greer's impact. Should he be playing more? Must-Win Territory: Why every game from here on out—starting with Georgetown on Tuesday—is a can't lose scenario for Creighton’s postseason hopes. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite moment from the interview! You can also follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and socials... @BigEastEnergy 🎙️ Presented by the Big East Energy Podcast Network – your home for all things Big East basketball. Check out https://bigenergymediapods.com/bigeastenergynetwork for more. Watch the Roll Jays Playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmPKVP3DPdG1zo8M2M8LIdmeOAFp8uAf5&si=WVBv6nWRwgMh-GSB Don't forget to like and subscribe to @BigEastEnergyNetwork on YouTube for the BEST coverage of Big East basketball. Big thanks to our network sponsor Homefield Apparel! Check them out at https://www.homefieldapparel.com #CreightonBasketball #NCAABasketball #BigEastBasketball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg McDermott's Creighton Bluejays welcome Rick Pitino and the Red Storm to Omaha for a HUGE Big East matchup! Join Jimmie and Casey to break down an extremely important game for both teams. Coach Jeff Vanderloo will stop by and give us his thoughts as well! With a win today, St Johns would look poised to be the team many thought they could be, but a loss would seed more doubt into their standing in the Big East. For Creighton, a win today solidifies their place in race for 2nd place in the league and takes a lot of pressure off them to beat UConn at least once this season. A loss, well that essentially means they would have to sweep Nova and Seton Hall at home and win at least one of the three opportunities left against St Johns and Uconn. It's going to be a great one in Omaha and we'll be here to break it all down for you after the game! 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite moment from the interview! You can also follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and socials... @BigEastEnergy 🎙️ Presented by the Big East Energy Podcast Network – your home for all things Big East basketball. Check out https://bigenergymediapods.com/bigeastenergynetwork for more. Watch the Roll Jays Playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmPKVP3DPdG1zo8M2M8LIdmeOAFp8uAf5&si=WVBv6nWRwgMh-GSB Don't forget to like and subscribe to @BigEastEnergyNetwork on YouTube for the BEST coverage of Big East basketball. Big thanks to our network sponsor Homefield Apparel! Check them out at https://www.homefieldapparel.com #CreightonBasketball #St.John'sBasketball #BigEastBasketball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creighton’s journey to learning how to win takes center stage in this episode. We break down why it will take time for this team to learn how to win, how chemistry develops, and why trusting Greg McDermott matters now more than ever. We also look into Ryan Kalkbrenner's early NBA success. What were the signs that this could happen and are there are similarity's to Ryan's early college career that point to future success for this current Creighton team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ultimate preview for Zags Week is here! The Roll Jays Podcast welcomes Theo Lawson from SpokesmanReview.com to break down the highly anticipated non-conference showdown between the Creighton Bluejays and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In this must-listen episode, hosts Jimmie Allen and Casey Matthews dive deep with Theo into the state of the Gonzaga program under Coach Mark Few. They explore the intriguing storylines and discuss why Gonzaga might be underrated despite being an "analytic starling" ranked #8 on KenPom. The conversation compares the "golden years" of Gonzaga basketball to the current squad , touching on the evolution of both the Zags and the Creighton program from mid-major powers to perennial top-20 contenders. Hear expert insight on the high expectations driven by NIL and natural program progression. Mark Few’s strategy of scheduling blue-blood opponents like Kentucky and Baylor, and what makes playing in the Spokane Arena such a difficult test for visitors. Don't miss this essential breakdown before the Jays and the Zags tip off!🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite moment from the interview! You can also follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and socials... @BigEastEnergy 🎙️ Presented by the Big East Energy Podcast Network – your home for all things Big East basketball. Check out https://bigenergymediapods.com/bigeastenergynetwork for more.Watch the Roll Jays Playlist here:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmPKVP3DPdG1zo8M2M8LIdmeOAFp8uAf5&si=WVBv6nWRwgMh-GSBDon't forget to like and subscribe to @BigEastEnergyNetwork on YouTube for the BEST coverage of Big East basketball. #CreightonBasketball #GonzagaBasketball #CollegeBasketball #RollJaysPodcast #ZagaWeek #RyanNembhard #MarkFew #CreightonVsGonzaga #NCAAB #BigEast #WCC #KenPom #SpokaneArena #CBB #bigeastenergy #gregmcdermott #bigeastbasketball #hoops #bigeasthoops #ncaahoops #ncaa #creightonhoops#basketball #ncaabasketball 00:00 Introduction & Roll Jays Podcast Intro 00:46 Welcome - Why Gonzaga is Rated "So Low" 01:47 Comparing Gonzaga’s Past "Golden Eras" 03:35 Creighton & Gonzaga: Program Parallels & the Mid-Major Success Story 04:47 NIL, Coaching Legacies, and the Progression of High Fan Expectations 06:52 Mark Few’s Aggressive Non-Conference Scheduling Strategy 08:07 Previewing the Creighton Matchup: "Much Better Opponent" than Oklahoma 09:03 Gonzaga's Early Season Success: Offense (Ike & Huff) and Defensive Growth 11:51 Key Matchups to Watch on Tuesday Night 13:40 Creighton's Depth and Rotations for the Gonzaga Game 14:49 The Athleticism Gap between Gonzaga and Creighton 16:47 Non-Conference Tournaments and the Value of Neutral Site Games 18:23 Gonzaga's Home-Court Advantage in Spokane 20:03 A Look at the Atmosphere and Crowd Noise in Spokane Arena 21:28 Creighton's Keys to Victory Against the Zags 23:37 Final Score Predictions and Game Outlook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Roll Jays Podcast, Jimmie and Casey breakdown the early success of two transfer portal additions that have been flying under the radar. They break down what's been the most impressive and how it could impact the rotation. The hosts talk about their concerns with another big time transfer and if they see any shakeup in the starting lineup should his early struggles continue. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite moment from the interview! You can also follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and socials... @BigEastEnergy 🎙️ Presented by the Big East Energy Podcast Network – your home for all things Big East basketball. Check out https://bigenergymediapods.com/bigeastenergynetwork for more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The squad is finally healthy! On this episode of Roll Jays, we celebrate the massive news that forward Owen Freeman is officially back practicing with the team following his knee injury. After months of speculation and waiting, Coach McDermott finally has his full, healthy roster. This is the championship-caliber team Creighton fans have been waiting for, and we break down exactly what Freeman's return means for the starting lineup and the team's ceiling! But with a full deck of cards, the decisions for the coaching staff get tougher. We dive deep into the crucial rotation decisions Coach McDermott faces now—especially the key battle at the Point Guard spot. Who will ultimately lead the offense? We analyze the pros and cons of each candidate and project the final, powerful rotation that will define Creighton's season. Don't miss our take on why the Bluejays are officially a national title contender now that they are at full strength! 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite moment from the interview! You can also follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and socials... @BigEastEnergy 🎙️ Presented by the Big East Energy Podcast Network – your home for all things Big East basketball. Check out https://bigenergymediapods.com/bigeastenergynetwork for more. Don't forget to like and subscribe to Big East Energy on YouTube for more Big East news. #NCAA #ncaabasketball #Creighton #BigEast #CollegeBasketball #CreightonBasketball #MarchMadness #BigEastBasketball #CreightonBluejays Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices