Creighton Men’s Basketball Begins Season Wednesday Against South Dakota
The Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team will tip off its 2025-26 season Wednesday evening at CHI Health Center Omaha against the South Dakota Coyotes, marking the start of a campaign with high expectations for the nationally-ranked program.
Head coach Greg McDermott acknowledged the typical pre-season anxieties, stating, “It’s always exciting…I don’t think there’s a coach in the country on the first day that feels like his team’s ready to actually play, and I fall into that category.” This season presents a unique challenge with a significant influx of new players, requiring a shift in focus from teaching fundamentals to implementing game-specific strategies. Transfer Josh Dix, a Council Bluffs native, expressed his excitement about playing close to home, calling it “a dream come true.”
The Bluejays will be navigating some early-season health concerns, with forward Owen Freeman returning from offseason knee surgery on a cautious schedule and Turkish forward Kerem Konan ineligible for the opener. Creighton’s depth will be tested immediately, as McDermott indicated that playing time will be determined on a game-by-game basis, acknowledging that consistent minutes for all players won’t be feasible. The team’s offensive approach, described as “five-out” and emphasizing player IQ, is designed to maximize opportunities, a style similar to what’s been successful in the NCAA Men’s Basketball landscape.
South Dakota enters the game with a game already under their belt, having fallen to Utah Tech 81-79 on Monday. McDermott emphasized the need to control the tempo and avoid being drawn into a fast-paced game dictated by the Coyotes, who played at one of the nation’s highest tempos last season. Fedor Žugić, now fully eligible after a delayed clearance last year, added that the key to success will be “sticking with what we do and just be together and play hard.” You can find more information about the Creighton Bluejays here.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on Peacock, with the coaching staff continuing to evaluate player readiness and potential redshirt options in the coming days.
