Creighton

ASU, UofA and GCU are all out of the NCAA men's basketball tournament after a historic year that saw three local squads reach March Madness.

ASU, UofA and GCU are all out of the NCAA men's basketball tournament after a historic year that saw three local squads reach March Madness. Between the lines: Creighton is a 9.5-point favorite over Princeton, and if they get past the Tigers, they face the winner of Friday's matchup between 5-seed San Diego State and top overall seed Alabama in the Elite Eight. - The university added a nursing school to the medical school in 2018, and opened its campus at Park Central in July 2021. - Alameddin, a Creighton alum, noted Arizona is one of the hardest-hit states in terms of a national health care provider shortage, saying the university's presence in the Valley will help. Of note: Creighton has more than 2,600 alumni in the Phoenix area, "So there's a lot of people there who could root for Creighton, for our basketball team," Todero says. But there's still one team in the brackets that has a presence in Arizona: Creighton University.

Creighton and Princeton both came out of the gates on fire when the ball was tipped on Friday night in Louisville.

Down the stretch, Arthur Kaluma gave Creighton a huge offensive rebound to retain possession and ended up at the free throw line. Creighton went on separate 7-0 runs and forced Princeton to call their last timeout with over 12 minutes remaining in the game. Creighton was in desperate need of a strong start to the second half, and Ryan Kalkbrenner delivered for them. At this point, Creighton started to take control of all aspects of the game. Princeton is a team that excels at rebounding, and Creighton was able to hold a +2 advantage on the boards going into the half. The Creighton defense could not react in time to make a difference.

Baylor Scheierman and Ryan Kalkbrenner helped lead Creighton to a historic NCAA tournament win against Princeton.

Behind 22 points from Ryan Kalkbrenner, 21 from Baylor Scheierman and 19 from Trey Alexander, sixth-seeded CU advanced to play fifth-seeded San Diego State ...

And the Tigers didn’t make it easy on the Jays. And giving the Tigers a couple of snapshots of how much he lifts. A couple of lobs that went out of Arthur Kaluma’s reach. Kalkbrenner shared Friday’s dance with Baylor Scheierman, who was equally difficult to handle and looked every bit the part of one of the nation’s most sought after transfers this summer. The usuals don’t waltz over teams like Arizona and Missouri on their way to this point. “We missed a couple of opportunities to get him the ball, and he missed a couple of opportunities to finish when we did. After all, the balance of their starting five is why the Jays were labeled a potential Final Four team months before they knocked on Houston’s door. Or his alley-oop dunk over forward Zach Martini, a two-hand, two-foot disrespectful slam that put Kalkbrenner to the line shortly after. And I just explained to him that I don't care what happened on the last play. In front of 20,289 at the KFC Yum! The Creighton center who long favored finesse over brute strength was asked Friday night to absorb the physicality the way he has done time and again this season. “I just got in the moment, man,” said Kalkbrenner, who led CU with 22 points.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Behind a combined 62 points from Ryan Kalkbrenner, Baylor Scheierman and Trey Alexander, sixth-seeded Creighton advanced to its first ...

I think it's we've been -- I think, as Coach says, we try to be together as much as we can, but I think that just comes from our bond. And Tosan, you know, we've talked a lot about you, Tosan, but, you know, these guys were just terrific. I had said we want him to be 10 for 20, not 18 for 20, and he was 9 for 12. And to the student-athletes, just what this has been like for you to not only to put Princeton on the map but the Ivy League as well. It feels a little trivial to ask this now, but given the run of success and kind of burst into the limelight, I know you are an international student, but has there been any interest in NIL deals that's suddenly come your way because of this tournament run? And he came out and he has played the last few weeks and, you know, just put us on his back. If you and maybe the players could say what that meant to you in that moment. RYAN KALKBRENNER: I just think he is more unique than most of the fives we play just because -- I guess he is more of a forward, but as far as my matchup because he has such good ball skills and can drive it and shoot it a little bit. How difficult was that matchup, and I guess how did you feel the second half went in that regard? We got some open looks, and we didn't capitalize on them, and it kind of allowed them to get back in the game. We just didn't hit them, and I think they go to that kind of change the pace of the game a little bit. For Greg and Ryan, Greg it looked like you pulled Ryan out of one of those time-outs in the first half and said something to him, and then Ryan was really aggressive right after that.

If they'd let the Princeton men's basketball team keep playing forever, if there was no game clock, these Tigers would have never stopped believing that ...

The first half was exhilarating, and it ended with Creighton ahead 47-43. Princeton was done in by the 7-1 Kalkbrenner, who scored 22 points on 9 of 12 shooting, and by Scheierman, who added 21 of his own while shooting 5 of 7 from beyond the arc. If they'd let the Princeton men's basketball team keep playing forever, if there was no game clock, these Tigers would have never stopped believing that they would eventually pull this one out.

Ryan Kalkbrenner, the Big East's two-time defensive player of the year, had to use his 7-foot-1 frame to overwhelm Princeton's defense. And 3-point specialist ...

Instead, the Tigers went toe to toe against fast-paced Creighton until stalling out at the start of the second half. “It's a fun part of the game now.” This is why I came to Creighton in the first place, to make a run with this group of guys," It’s what you work for since you get here on campus in the summer, and this is all the hard work paying off now.” Nothing could stop the Bluejays, though. “I thought he was the key. Saint Peter's last year became the first 15 seed to achieve that feat. The surprising matchup could be entertaining because of the teams' contrasting styles. 15 seed to play in a regional final. Ryan Kalkbrenner, the Big East's two-time defensive player of the year, had to use his 7-foot-1 frame to overwhelm Princeton's defense. 5 seed San Diego State in the South Region final, with each team seeking its first Final Four. I'm looking forward to continuing that on Sunday."

The Creighton Bluiejays are one win away from a trip to the Final four - in the process, they ended the miraculous run of the 15th-seed Princeton Tigers.

"Princeton’s really good at establishing their pace, so you’ve just got to take them out of it," Kalkbrenner said. [sixth-seeded Bluejays (24-12)](https://www.foxnews.com/category/sports/ncaa/creighton-bluejays) advanced to their first regional final since they were part of an eight-team NCAA Tournament in 1941. Princeton's offense bore no resemblance to the back-cutting, deliberate style that defined the late Pete Carril’s coaching tenure. 15 seed to play in a regional final. "I thought he really got going late in the first half and carried it over to the second half. He shoots the 3.

The Bluejays will play San Diego State for a spot in the Final Four on Sunday.

“In the most humble way possible, I just feel like we’re the best class to come through Creighton,” Alexander said. [Ryan Langborg](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/player/ryan-langborg-Xrij2nxKLQazNSCd/) and [Tosan Evbuomwan](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/player/tosan-evbuomwan-yci2lGR02Id3S2Xe/) combined for 50 points and kept the Tigers within striking distance throughout, three Creighton sophomores all but negated them with 38 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. “He has a tendency to get a little down on himself and I was trying to make him understand that the look on his face impacts everybody else. “Sometimes I get frustrated and Mac has to take me to the side and just say, ‘Hey, smile.’ It doesn’t always work when he says that, because I’m very in my head. Every group that’s come through has just tried to help it be a little bit better and do it in a way that the next generation can come through and take it to a higher level.” His wild-eyed, fist-pumping celebration included a phrase that rhymes with, “Get the luck out of here!” And what did McDermott think of it? “He’s back,” the coach said, laughing. “And this is a really fun group to do it with.” So I asked him to paint on a leader’s face, and a leader’s face has joy. Don’t shy away from the moment.” They heard him, heeded his advice, and let it rip Friday night against 15th-seeded [Princeton](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/team/princeton-tigers-college-basketball/), sending Cinderella home with an 86-75 victory that delivered the program’s first trip to an [Elite Eight](https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/ncaa-tournament-elite-eight-live-scores-results-bracket/nOteetRQfiA0/). “He’s going to think this is just what we do,” said a beaming Korver, the former All-American and NBA All-Star who appeared in four NCAA Tournaments at Creighton from 2000 to 2003 but was only able to win one game. [Creighton](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/team/creighton-bluejays-college-basketball/) legend addressing a locker room full of guys who were about to join that club, telling the Bluejays, “You got a chance to make history.

They are flying in unprecedented altitude as neither school has ever reached the Final Four. The Aztecs hadn't advanced past the Sweet 16 until stunning No. 1 ...

It's what you work for since you get here on campus in the summer, and it's just all the hard work paying off now." For the season, he is averaging 15.9 points and shooting 70.8 percent. Dutcher sat across from Creighton coach Greg McDermott on that flight to Maui that began with the Bluejays boarding in Omaha, Neb. The offensive hero on Friday was Darrion Trammell, who scored 21 to raise his average to 9.8. The game will include a sibling rivalry as well. It's going to be a fun Sunday." Both programs are aiming to reach new heights when they share the court in Louisville, Ky., with a Final Four berth on the line. He initially came to the school as Steve Fisher's top assistant prior to the 1999-2000 season. [Reward increases to $10,000 for information in 2017 deadly shooting of Danville store owner](/news/local/crime-and-courts/reward-increases-to-10-000-for-information-in-2017-deadly-shooting-of-danville-store-owner/article_8c3b8a96-c97c-11ed-8fa2-57ce5286b54e.html#tracking-source=mp-in-article) [Youngkin signs 51 bills; here's a look at some new state laws](/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/youngkin-signs-51-bills-heres-a-look-at-some-new-state-laws/article_e19789ad-b0ea-5f0f-96c4-b638c7322960.html#tracking-source=mp-in-article) [As Danville preps for temporary casino, a question looms: Are we ready? "So it's pretty ironic that we're going to meet with an opportunity to go to the Final Four. The Aztecs then went 5-23 and didn't win a single Mountain West Conference game. 1 overall seed Alabama 71-64 on Friday, while the Bluejays' 86-75 win over 15th-seeded Princeton got them into their first Elite Eight since 1941 when there were just eight total teams in the tournament.

The sixth-seeded Bluejays and the fifth-seeded Aztecs are each seeking their first Final Four when they meet in Sunday's South Region final. Last year, they met ...

“They obviously just play really, really physical, and that can make up for some height at times,” 7-foot-1 Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner said of the Aztecs. “So, besides a trip to the Final Four on the line, I’m sure they’ve been looking forward to this game as well.” San Diego State’s physical defense held the Crimson Tide to 32% shooting, blocked eight shots and made nine steals. “Nobody ever believes when you set big goals,” San Diego State forward Jaedon LeDee said after the game. The sixth-seeded Bluejays and the fifth-seeded Aztecs are each seeking their first Final Four when they meet in Sunday’s South Region final. And it’s not the first time each team has stood in the other’s way.

Ryan Kalkbrenner dropped 22 points, Baylor Scheierman added 21 points on 5-of-7 3-point shooting and Creighton shot 58.2 percent to take down 15th-seeded Princeton 86-75 in the NCAA Tournament's South Region semifinals on Friday in Louisville.

Creighton made eight shots in a row en route to a 10-for-13 start from the floor and a 24-16 lead. Kalkbrenner threw home an alley-oop dunk and added a free throw early in the second half. "This is why I came to Creighton in the first place, to make a run with this group of guys. He scored or assisted on 13 of Princeton's 19 made field goals in the first half. I thought we dug in a little bit better defensively in the second half." Princeton (23-9) was vying to become the second No.

San Diego State and Creighton, despite being in different conferences, meet for the fifth time since 2011 with the winner headed to the Final Four in ...

The Crimson Tide didn’t, retreating to the locker room instead. They met in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament in Fort Worth, Texas. SDSU led by 14 in the first half and by nine with 2½ minutes left and an already depleted Bluejays roster down to seven scholarship players. In the 2013 Wooden Legacy, the unranked Aztecs trailed 14-2 before unleashing a 49-18 run and knocking off the No. He inserted himself into the mass of jubilant humanity to find his brother. Their basketball programs, though, share a kinship in both the figurative and literal sense. they seem really bad in the moment and everyone is frustrated. Kaluma was waiting to take the floor for warmups Friday night when SDSU upset No. One on the Pacific Coast, the other in middle America. One bordering a foreign country, the other bordering South Dakota. The plane landed in San Diego to let off the Aztecs contingent before continuing to Omaha, Neb. They never did, the Bluejays losing to Arizona in the final and the Aztecs to Arkansas in the third-place game, then spent the flight home in the same seats agonizing over the what-ifs.

See odds, expert picks, TV info and more for the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game.

[Trey Alexander](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/player/trey-alexander-ULM33d3VAKRzvuLB/), [Ryan Nembhard](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/player/ryan-nembhard-9CwtPCZih1dKpw1z/), and [Arthur Kaluma](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/player/arthur-kaluma-4ed0aMsuXR8vFJzP/) all average double-digits in scoring this season, while Kaluma (29.2) is the only one of the five that does not play at least 30 minutes per game. [Princeton](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/team/princeton-tigers-college-basketball/). True to form, the [Bluejays](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/team/creighton-bluejays-college-basketball/) relied heavily on their starting five, with both [Ryan Kalkbrenner](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/player/ryan-kalkbrenner-DeLsgYjbYShXAJRN/) and Baylor Sheierman topping the 20-point mark in the win. 5 [San Diego State](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/team/san-diego-state-aztecs-college-basketball/) to make its first-ever Elite Eight, and No. Even though San Diego State’s top scorer, [Matt Bradley](https://theathletic.com/college-basketball/player/matt-bradley-WCan9R9N7ilAdTtI/), also had an off night offensively with just six points, Darrion Trammel was able to pick up the slack by matching his season high with 21 points. [2023 Men’s NCAA Tournament](https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/ncaa-tournament-elite-eight-live-scores-results-bracket/nOteetRQfiA0/) filled with upsets, chaos and unpredictability, paving the way for No.

Adam Seiko and Arthur Kaluma will square off in the Big Dance for the second consecutive season.

Creighton and San Diego State have never gone this far in the NCAA men's tournament. One of them will reach the Final Four after both advanced Friday.

"We talked about confidence, and the key to confidence is being fearless," said Dutcher, 63. Months ago, the Bluejays and San Diego State shared a chartered flight to the Maui Invitational. There’s a chance the team that emerges from the South Regional could face No. Center will advance to the Final Four for the first time in program history. 6 seed have met in the Elite Eight since the tournament field expanded to 64 teams in 1985. 6 seed after both advanced past the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.