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Creighton Big Man Eager To Save His Best For Last

Much of the attention at Big East media day was focused on the UConn men’s basketball team’s bid to win a third straight national title. Rick Pitino, preparing for his second season as the St. John’s head coach, was surrounded by media for much of the morning at Madison Square Garden. Creighton big man Ryan Kalkbrenner was another popular interview subject. Kalkbrenner was named the Big East’s Preseason Player of the Year. 

It won’t be long before Kalkbrenner gets to prove that the Big East coaches who voted for him knew what they were doing. Creighton will play three ranked teams before Big East play begins so there will be chances for the 7-foot-1 big man to put up more impressive numbers. Kalkbrenner’s return is a major reason why the Creighton Bluejays were picked to finish second in the Big East preseason poll.

Creighton Big Man Eager To Save His Best For Last

The Creighton men’s basketball program saw Baylor Scheierman and Trey Alexander embark on professional careers. Kalkbrenner is back and that is good news for the Blue Jays. He averaged 17.3 points and 7.6 rebounds at Creighton last season. Kalkbrenner scored in double figures in each of his last 22 games. The best could be yet to come.

“Ryan and I had this conversation this spring, you have to make sure you improved if you going to come back,” Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. “To his credit, he really went to work in the offseason. I think athletically, he is moving better than he ever has.

“I think his stamina is better. He has increased his strength in his upper body. Ryan continues to develop his ability to shoot the 3-point shot which is the next step as he moves onto the next level.”

Kalbrenner had nine 3-pointers in 99 games during his first three seasons at Creighton. The Creighton big man had a career-high 16 3-pointers last season.

“I have definitely grown in that area,” Kalkbrenner told The Last Word on Sports at Big East Media Day. “I am going to shoot it in games, it is just getting comfortable in games. Definitely, I can shoot it in workouts when it is not live. Definitely, I am really looking forward to showing off that part of my game.”

Creighton Ready To Make Some Noise

Creighton didn’t shy away from challenging itself in the season with a scrimmage against Purdue, a 2024 Final Four team. There will be non-conference matchups with Nebraska, Texas A&M, Kansas and Alabama. More challenges await when the Big East season begins on Dec. 18 with a road game against Georgetown.

Creighton was picked second behind only UConn in the Big East preseason poll. Creighton came in at No. 15 in The Associated Press preseason poll. Obviously, expectations are high for the Bluejays this season. It won’t be easy with UConn standing in the way of a run at the Big East title.

Creighton defeated UConn last season as Kalbrenner had 15 points and five rebounds. However, the Blue Jays lost to Providence in its Big East tournament opener. Dreams of a Final Four appearance ended with a Sweet 16 loss to Tennessee.

Kalbrenner is eager to face the UConn Huskies in the upcoming season to prove that the Bluejays can hold their own against the reigning champions. Creighton will play at UConn on Jan. 18 with the rematch on Feb. 11 in Omaha.

“They are an elite team and it is very fun playing them every year,” Kalkbrenner said. “They are the best of the best and you get to set yourself up against them every year. You get to see it firsthand what you need to do and where you need to be to get to that level.”

Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth are among the top returnees for Creighton. Texas Tech transfer Pop Isaacs and Arizona State transfer Jamiya Neal should make immediate impacts. Kalkbrenner can’t wait for things to get started.

“I think we go about things the right way,” Kalkbrenner said. “We are really close and trying to figure out what that little thing that we need to get us to the next level. We play hard, we play fast and we play with skill so we are really close.”

Creighton Big Man Flirted With The NBA

Kalkbrenner seriously considered to leaving Creighton and remaining in the 2024 NBA Draft. He opted to return with the hope of improving his stock.

After helping UConn with another national title, Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan were both first-round picks. Providence’s Devin Carter and Baylor Scheierman, Kalkbrenner’s former Creighton teammate, were also first-round selections. Four other Big East players went in the second round.

Kalkbrenner said he will be cheering for his former rivals as they navigate their way through the NBA. The better a player like Clingan performs, the more NBA scouts might consider giving Kalkbrenner a chance to shine.

“I am hoping Clingan, [Zach] Edey and those guys are going to do well because the other team will want their own Clingans. Those guys are great players and playing against them. I have always wanted them to do well. When you are playing against each other, it is a rivalry and trying to do better than them. Once you see them play in different situations, you cheer for them and want the best for them. I am really excited for all those guys.”

 

Jim Fuller

Jim Fuller

Jim Fuller is a former newspaper reporter who covered nine of the UConn women's basketball program's 11 national championship teams, multiple US Open tennis tournaments, was a former voter on the Associated Press women's basketball poll and a former Heisman Trophy voter as well.

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