BIG EAST Conference preview: Title runs through either Marquette or DePaul

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 14: Commissioner Val Ackerman addresses the media during the Big East Men's & Women's Basketball Media Day at Madison Square Garden on October 14, 2015 in New York, New York. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 14: Commissioner Val Ackerman addresses the media during the Big East Men's & Women's Basketball Media Day at Madison Square Garden on October 14, 2015 in New York, New York. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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Creighton Bluejays remain steady at the top of the BIG EAST

CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 05: Creighton Bluejays forward Jaylyn Agnew (5), Creighton Bluejays forward Ali Greene (40), Creighton Bluejays forward Audrey Faber (45), Creighton Bluejays guard Olivia Elger (21) and Creighton Bluejays guard Sydney Lamberty (14) take the court during the game against the Marquette Golden Eagles on March 5, 2018 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 05: Creighton Bluejays forward Jaylyn Agnew (5), Creighton Bluejays forward Ali Greene (40), Creighton Bluejays forward Audrey Faber (45), Creighton Bluejays guard Olivia Elger (21) and Creighton Bluejays guard Sydney Lamberty (14) take the court during the game against the Marquette Golden Eagles on March 5, 2018 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“The path to a third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament began this summer,” reads the Creighton 2018-19 Media Guide.  The second consecutive NCAA Tournament bid was also the 11th consecutive postseason appearance for the Bluejays.

Despite these statistics, Creighton has struggled with consistency in conference play. In their first year in the BIG EAST, the Bluejays finished 3rd overall before dropping to 7th place in the 2015-16 season. Coach Flanery led Creighton to its second 20+ winning season in 2016-17 and tied xx for first place in the regular season, but finished fourth in the BIG EAST last season.

2017-18 Record:  Overall Record 19-13; BIG EAST Conference11-7; Fourth Place

2018-19 Preseason Poll: Fourth place

Key Returners:

Both Audrey Faber and Jayln Agnew averaged over 14 points per game for the Bluejays last season. Both were named to the 2018-19 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. Faber was named to the 2019 Katrina McClain Awards Watch List given to the top forward in NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball thanks to her 14.8 points per game and 99 assists last season.

Agnew averaged 14.5 points per game and was top five in minutes, field goal percentage, and three-pointers.  The junior is primed to have another solid season for Creighton.

Games to Watch:

Opener: Wednesday, November 7  vs. South Dakota – 7:00 p.m

Sunday, December 20 vs. University of South Florida (22) – 6:15 p.m (Sunshine Classic)

BIG EAST Opener: Saturday, December 29 at DePaul – 8:00 p.m BEDN