Sleeping with the Enemy: The Bluejays of Creighton

Your Nationally Ranked Powerhouse Fighting Hoyas of Georgetown look to pick up the pieces in Omaha and as usual we here at THE GLOBAL PHENOMENON are bringing you everything you need to know about Georgetown's next opponent. Here with us to gab on all things Bluejays is White and Blue Review, your source for all of your Creighton needs.  Let's do this!

1) Congrats on your 1st Big East win!  This means the Jays aren't going to be as hungry when they face Georgetown, RIGHT?

Thanks! Seemed like some of the bounces finally went our way against the Johnnies. Jays will be hungry this weekend, crowd will be jacked, etc. We just hope it is a good game, considering the advantages Georgetown has over CU at nearly every spot.

2) What makes the CenturyLink Center such a good home court advantage?

I think that, for the most part, Jays fans are invested emotionally. There's always been a core group of devoted CU fans that have followed the program during the valleys that popped up between successful stretches in the 70s, 80s, 90s, and the aughts. But as the good streaks started to extend longer and longer, and the bad stretches diminished more and more, the CenturyLink Center has welcomed newer fans with open turnstiles. They added seats a few years ago, then added the nation's best player for a couple of years. Pretty good combination. Things have grown organically.

3) For those Hoyas fans attending the game on Omaha, any suggestions of sights to see, places to eat and dishes to order?

Might sound silly, but the Henry Doorly Zoo is legit. Might be chilly this weekend, but most of the best exhibits are indoors anyway. But let's be honest; you're in Omaha to watch hoops and eat and drink, right?

If you want to expand your efforts past the radius of tourist-friendly Old Market and North Downtown establishments (of which there are plenty of good places), I suggest cabbing it to a few midtown neighborhoods. You'll find great options in Dundee - places like Pitch, Avoli Osteria, Mark's, Dario's, and the Dundee Dell.

And if you love beer, hit Benson for a number of brewery tap rooms and pubs - Infusion Brewery, Benson Brewery, Krug Park, St. Andrew's, Jake's. Sop up all that brew with great eats from Lot 2.

4) Which players have stepped up for the Jays this season and who does Georgetown need to watch out for on Saturday?

The roster is in a state of limbo right now. Collectively, the seniors who returned from our three-year stretch of NCAA Tournament appearances have the most experience but aren't the guys making most of the plays. Austin Chatman performed well in the non-conference but has struggled since Big East play started. For the Jays to have finished middle of the pack in the league, we probably needed Austin to be his absolute best in every facet of the game; just hasn't happened.

Lately, though, an interesting collection of "newcomers" have led the way. Rick Kreklow is a senior graduate transfer who will end his three-school career at Creighton. It's his first year as a Jay, he's paying his own way to play here, and he's bringing some edge to the wing.

James Milliken was here last year, but he redshirted as a junior college transfer - doesn't happen very often. He's really the only guy on Creighton's roster right now that can create his own shot consistently from inside the arc. And while he's streaky from outside, he's capable (and a quick shot).

Toby Hegner was here last year, too. He redshirted during his true freshman season, watching Doug McDermott work. He's finding his way early in his career, but seems to have a knack for connecting from three-point range. Tons of room for improvement, but he offers Mac a stretch threat that the staff has predicated its offensive strategy on having the past few years.

5) Who do you want to win the Super Bowl?

None of the above.

6) If it were up to you to pick the Super Bowl halftime performer, who would you pick and why?

Great question. Original lineup Guns n' Roses. That'd be fun, right?

7) Creighton is going to need a magical run in the Big East Tournament to make the NCAA Tournament? Do you think this team can pull it off?

As a fan, I'd never count them out. But, statistically, how often in college hoops has a team won a play-in game, a quarterfinal game, a semi, and the championship in four days?

8) On a scale of 1-10, how much have you enjoyed being in the Big East?

A 10. I knew that once Doug & Co. left there'd likely be some tough times. But, I think our program and our head coach and our fan base is a great fit for the current Big East. Plus, as a college hoops fan, just seeing the names on the front of our opponents' jerseys night in and night out is fun. I mean DePaul?!?! It just doesn't get any better than that.

9) Final score prediction?

Jays scrap, but JTIII has more horses. Hoyas 68, Creighton 61