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BIG EAST Conference preview: Marquette the team to beat

By Erica Ayala

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 07: Marquette Golden Eagles guard Allazia Blockton (11) looks inside during the Big East Women's Championship Game between the DePaul Blue Demons and the Marquette Golden Eagles on March 7, 2017 at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 07: Marquette Golden Eagles guard Allazia Blockton (11) looks inside during the Big East Women's Championship Game between the DePaul Blue Demons and the Marquette Golden Eagles on March 7, 2017 at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 06: Marquette Golden Eagles head coach Carolyn Kieger calls out a play during a basketball game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Creighton Bluejays on March 6, 2017 at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 06: Marquette Golden Eagles head coach Carolyn Kieger calls out a play during a basketball game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Creighton Bluejays on March 6, 2017 at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Creighton

Preseason predicted ranking: 4th, down two spots from 2016-17 finish

2016-17 Record: 16-2

2016-17 Overall Record: 24-8

Biggest losses:

Marisssa Janning, Brianna Rollerson and Lauren Works all graduated last year, taking an average of 30 points and 16 rebounds per game with them. Janning ended her career as the Bluejays fourth all-time scorer and second all-time in assists.

Key returners:

Reigning Freshman of the Year Jaylyn Agnew and BIG EAST First Team forward Audrey Faber are players to watch on this Creighton team. Faber was named to the 2017 Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team.

Newcomers:

Gracey Griglione and Tatum Rembao are two of the three newcomeers to watch. Grilione is a four-time All-State player from Iowa. The forward set a school record for blocks, rebounds, and points in a game. She was a three-sport letter winner at Interstate 35.

Rembao finished her high school career with over 1,900 points and 500 rebounds. She was named the 2016 Colorado Sportswoman of the Year and the three All-State honors.

Head coach:

Jim Flanery returns for his 16th season with the Bluejays and his 26th season overall with the women’s program. He holds a 293-191 (.605) record for his alma mater. The Bluejays have flown into 10 consecutive national postseason tournaments under Flanery, including their first back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2012 and 2013.

Key non-conference games:

The Bluejays will tip-off against three Top-25 teams from the Coaches Poll (not including DePaul).  Creighton will take on Washington (25), UCLA (x), and Florida State (14) before opening BIG EAST play against Villanova on December28.

Outlook:

In 2017, Creighton were co-regular season champs with DePaul. A preseason ranking of fourth may be low for a team who shared the regular season title with DePaul. The Bluejays were 12-1 at home overall), but only 9-6 on the road. The Bluejays have a lot of offense to replace, but will likely finish in the top four in the BIG EAST.

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