As far as Creighton is concerned, Illinois State already has been a bump in the road for a team on a mission to win its first regular-season Missouri Valley Conference title. The only thing standing between the versatile, deep Bluejays and both an undefeated conference season and a 12-game winning streak is a 64-57 loss to Illinois State Jan. 12 in Normal. Now, the teams meet for the rematch at 7:05 p.m. Thursday in the Omaha Civic Auditorium.
In a year when most believe the Valley is tougher than ever, Creighton is tougher than everybody. Non-believers prior to last weekend are likely converted: Creighton became just the third team in 10 years to take both ends of the dreaded Southwest Missouri State-Wichita State road trip.
How the Jays did it bears examination. In Springfield--where CU had never beaten the Bears before--the Jays out-rebounded SMS 45-35 and committed just nine turnovers as Kim Hover had her first double-double of the year with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Three days later, a Dayna Finch three-pointer in the waning seconds to give the Jays an 81-77 win at WSU despite the Shockers holding a 51-25 rebounding advantage. CUs edge? Forcing 30 Wichita turnovers and riding Christy Nenemans career-high 27 points.
With seven games remaining, the only thing standing between Creighton and its first womens basketball regular-season Missouri Valley Conference title is five wins for the Jays. Also with seven games remaining, the Redbirds are bidding for their first trip to the State Farm-Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in four years. Just eight of the 10 Valley teams get in. With Southern Illinois still in search of its first league win, Illinois State, Wichita State, Bradley and Indiana State all have three, four or five victories, but all have a chance to be the second team left out. The Redbird road is tough--they still have to play three of the top four teams in the league on the road, including Creighton, 15-5, 10-1 in the Missouri Valley.
The best thing about Creighton is that they can consistently put five legitimate scoring threats on the floor at one time, said Yopp, whose Redbirds are 6-14 overall, 4-7 in the Valley, already equalling their highest win total in the last two years. They have strong depth. Their players are versatile and they have the stamina to be a pressing team, which they have all season.
Lately, the Redbirds have stepped up their aggression and turned it into free throws and higher shooting percentages. After going to the line just 73 times in the first six conference games, ISU has more than doubled that 12.3 per game average in the last five games, shooting 141 free throws. Taren OBriens 36 made in her last 42 leads the Birds at the line.
Were learning how to play through things, said Yopp. Against Bradley, we had foul trouble in the first half (OBrien, Kristi Larson and Katie Donovan all on the bench for large chunks of the first half). But we maintained our confidence and we had people like Michelle (Harakas) and Chris (Kutschinski) and Beth (Huston) all in there for major minutes. We also stayed confident when Bradley made its run late in the game.
The youngest Redbirds are stepping up. Kutschinski has emerged as a defensive stopper. Harakas scored 15 points off the bench to lead ISU over Bradley, the second-highest non-starter scoring total for Illinois State this season. Donovan is among the Valley rebounding leaders.
Were still a young team, but I definitely think were better than we were the first time we played Creighton and Drake, said Yopp. The defensive intensity is still there, but I believe were a lot better offensive team than a month ago.
The Redbirds continue their road trip with a 2:05 p.m. game at Drake on Saturday.
