{"id":103284,"date":"2024-10-27T10:01:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-27T14:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=103284"},"modified":"2024-10-27T10:01:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-27T14:01:00","slug":"creighton-big-man-eager-to-save-his-best-for-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/27\/creighton-big-man-eager-to-save-his-best-for-last\/","title":{"rendered":"Creighton Big Man Eager To Save His Best For Last"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Much of the attention at Big East media day was focused on the UConn men&#8217;s basketball team&#8217;s bid to win a third straight national title. <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/coaches\/rick-pitino-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rick Pitino<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, preparing for his second season as the St. John&#8217;s head coach, was surrounded by media for much of the morning at Madison Square Garden. Creighton big man <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/ryan-kalkbrenner-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ryan Kalkbrenner<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was another popular interview subject. Kalkbrenner was named the <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.bigeast.com\/news\/2024\/10\/23\/mens-basketball-creightons-kalkbrenner-named-preseason-player-of-the-year.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Big East&#8217;s Preseason Player of the Year<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">KALKBRENNER PICKED AS PRESEASON POY!<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bluejays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Bluejays<\/a> center Ryan Kalkbrenner was named the <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BIGEAST?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@BIGEAST<\/a> Preseason Player of the Year, becoming the third player in program history to earn the honor!<\/p>\n<p>WATCH HERE \ud83c\udfc0\u2b07\ufe0f<a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/oRUX5JFeys\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/oRUX5JFeys<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tNOquWpS4Q\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/tNOquWpS4Q<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; KCAU 9 SportsZone (@SportsZoneKCAU9) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SportsZoneKCAU9\/status\/1849194634117087350?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 23, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It won&#8217;t be long before Kalkbrenner gets to prove that the Big East coaches who voted for him knew what they were doing. Creighton will <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/gocreighton.com\/sports\/mens-basketball\/schedule\/2024-25\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">play three ranked teams<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before Big East play begins so there will be chances for the 7-foot-1 big man to put up more impressive numbers. Kalkbrenner&#8217;s return is a major reason why the Creighton Bluejays were <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/23\/big-east-preseason-poll-has-uconn-as-the-team-to-beat\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">picked to finish second<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Big East preseason poll.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Creighton Big Man Eager To Save His Best For Last<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Creighton men&#8217;s basketball program saw <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/scheiba01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baylor Scheierman<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/alexatr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trey Alexander<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Ryan and I had this conversation this spring, you have to make sure you improved if you going to come back,&#8221; Creighton coach <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/coaches\/greg-mcdermott-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greg McDermott<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> said. &#8220;To his credit, he really went to work in the offseason. I think athletically, he is moving better than he ever has.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;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.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;I have definitely grown in that area,&#8221; Kalkbrenner told The Last Word on Sports at Big East Media Day. &#8220;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.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><b>Creighton Ready To Make Some Noise<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creighton didn&#8217;t shy away from challenging itself in the season with a <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/gocreighton.com\/news\/2024\/10\/24\/-15-mens-basketball-hosts-14-purdue-saturday-in-charity-exhibition.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">scrimmage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> against Purdue, a 2024 Final Four team. There will be non-conference matchups with Nebraska, Texas A&amp;M, Kansas and Alabama. More challenges await when the Big East season begins on Dec. 18 with a road game against Georgetown.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creighton was picked second behind only UConn in the Big East preseason poll. Creighton came in at No. 15 in <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/ap-top-25-mens-college-basketball-poll-f2d170d57b5d623e46fee4eaa5079c7d\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Associated Press preseason poll<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Obviously, expectations are high for the Bluejays this season. It won&#8217;t be easy with UConn standing in the way of a run at the Big East title.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creighton <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/no-15-creighton-stuns-top-ranked-uconn-to-grab-dominant-19-point-win-034535579.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">defeated UConn<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 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 <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/mens-college-basketball\/game\/_\/gameId\/401638636\/creighton-tennessee\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sweet 16 loss<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to Tennessee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/09\/12\/breaking-down-the-top-10-big-east-mens-basketball-matchups\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">play at UConn<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on Jan. 18 with the rematch on Feb. 11 in Omaha.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;They are an elite team and it is very fun playing them every year,&#8221; <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.altoonamirror.com\/sports\/2024\/10\/uconn-knows-foes-will-be-gunning-for-them\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kalkbrenner said.<\/a> &#8220;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.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kalkbrenner and <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/steven-ashworth-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steven Ashworth<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are among the top returnees for Creighton. Texas Tech transfer <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/pop-isaacs-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pop Isaacs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and Arizona State transfer <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/jamiya-neal-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jamiya Neal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should make immediate impacts. Kalkbrenner can&#8217;t wait for things to get started.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Steven Ashworth and Ryan Kalkbrenner both chose to return to Creighton for a fifth year of college basketball, and after an eventful offseason on and off the court, the veteran duo is ready to lead the Jays in search of a Big East title and beyond. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EYDbpj5nrv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/EYDbpj5nrv<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jacob Padilla (@JacobPadilla_) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JacobPadilla_\/status\/1849528270254965209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 24, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;I think we go about things the right way,&#8221; Kalkbrenner said. &#8220;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.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><b>Creighton Big Man Flirted With The NBA<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kalkbrenner seriously considered to leaving Creighton and remaining in the 2024 NBA Draft. He opted to return with the hope of improving his stock.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After helping UConn with another national title, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/castlst01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stephon Castle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/clingdo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Donovan Clingan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were both first-round picks. Providence&#8217;s <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/cartede02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Devin Carter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/scheiba01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baylor Scheierman<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Kalkbrenner&#8217;s former Creighton teammate, were also first-round selections. Four other <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.bigeast.com\/news\/2024\/6\/27\/mens-basketball-four-players-selected-in-first-round-of-2024-nba-draft.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Big East players<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> went in the second round.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;I am hoping Clingan, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/e\/edeyza01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[Zach] Edey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 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.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Much of the attention at Big East media day was focused on the UConn men&#8217;s basketball team&#8217;s bid to win a third straight national title. Rick Pitino, preparing for his second season as the St. John&#8217;s head coach, was surrounded by media for much of the morning at Madison Square Garden. Creighton big man Ryan [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5287,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,773],"tags":[4447,2960],"class_list":["post-103284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-basketball","category-college-basketball","tag-big-east-basketball","tag-creighton-bluejays"],"modified_by":"Kenny Kluska","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5287"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=103284"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103284\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=103284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=103284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=103284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}