Creighton’s losing record last season was a shocker, the first time in 11 years that program finished under .500. Injuries hit hard and derailed everything, making it a tough end to Greg McDermott’s long tenure. Now, it’s a whole new era for the Bluejays with head coach Alan Huss taking over and bringing in a whopping seven transfers. The mission is clear: get back to being consistent in the Big East.
The Great Exodus: Who’s Out?
Listen, in this transfer-portal wild west, losing players is just part of the game, especially with a new coach trying to make his mark. But Creighton really felt it, man. They lost ten players last year, and get this: eight of them hit the portal, with seven of those being rotational guys. That’s a lot of churn! Most notably, Creighton’s leading scorer, Josh Dix, who was dropping 13 points per game, is gone. And Nik Graves, the guy leading the team in assists, also exhausted his eligibility. They also lost reserves like Blake Harper, who chipped in 8 points a game, and Fedor Žugić. Owen Freeman, a transfer from Iowa, was supposed to be a big deal but couldn’t get healthy after a meniscus injury, played only 12 minutes per game, and then transferred to Auburn. Plus, rotation players Kerem Konan and Ty Davis are out. Ten players is a massive overhaul in one offseason. But here’s the kicker, the source says it plain: everyone Huss lost was replaceable. That’s a bold statement, and it tells you everything about the belief in the new direction.
New Blood, Familiar Faces: Who’s Stepping Up?
So, who’s left to build around? Huss kept six players from last year’s squad, which is a solid base. Jasen Green is leading that charge, putting up 11 points and 6 rebounds a game, shooting a crazy 55% from the floor. He even made the Crown Basketball All-Tournament Team. That’s a dude you can count on. Austin Swartz, a former four-star recruit from Miami, really started finding his rhythm last year, also averaging 11 points per game. Then there’s Hudson Greer, another former four-star who played 22 games as a freshman, averaged 5 points while fighting injuries, and is definitely looking to make a big leap this season. Jackson McAndrew’s sophomore year got cut short after just four games because of a foot injury, but he started 31 games as a freshman and is poised to have a huge impact. Isaac Traudt started 23 games last year, averaging 7 points and 3 rebounds. These returners give Huss a strong foundation.
And you know what? Huss isn’t just relying on who’s left. He’s already hitting the recruiting trail hard, bringing in two four-star recruits in his first class. Katrelle Harmon, a combo guard, is ranked 61st nationally by 247Sports. This kid can score and create for his teammates right away, even if he’s still filling out his frame. Huss also snagged Trevon Carter-Givens, a 6-foot-10 forward who sounds like he’s going to be exciting around the basket.
With Alan Huss at the helm, a massive roster overhaul, and some serious talent both returning and arriving, Creighton is clearly making a statement. This isn’t just about bouncing back from one bad season; it’s about rebuilding, refocusing, and showing the Big East that the Bluejays are coming for it. Keep an eye on how these new pieces gel, because that’s where the real story of their season begins.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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