Creighton University’s basketball team, under coach Greg McDermott, pulled off a stunning upset by defeating the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks 76-63 in Omaha on Wednesday night. This victory marks the first loss of the season for Kansas, which had held the number one spot in the AP poll since the beginning of the season.
The Bluejays have now succeeded in defeating a No. 1 team at home for two consecutive seasons, following last year’s victory over UConn. The excitement on the court was palpable as players celebrated their achievement, showing their resilience and team spirit.
Coach McDermott credited his team’s hard work and persistence. He stated, “With every team, you’re selling a dream, you’re selling a plan. Until you validate that plan with a victory like this, I’m not sure the buy-in is what it’s going to be now… Everybody stepped up and did a great job when we needed them.” It seems Omaha has become a challenging place for top teams, as McDermott pointed out, “This is the building No. 1 teams go to die evidently.”
From the outset, Creighton established control of the game, opening with a quick 10-2 lead. Notably, Steven Ashworth showcased his skills by hitting a deep three-pointer just before halftime, allowing the Bluejays to head into the locker room with a 10-point advantage.
While Kansas attempted to respond in the second half with a 9-0 run, Creighton quickly regained momentum with a 10-0 run of their own. Ultimately, the Bluejays extended their lead to 16 points as the Jayhawks struggled to score, showcasing a strong defensive performance.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, a key player for Creighton, came back from an injury that had sidelined him during their last game. Despite his recent struggles, he played a significant role with 17 points and 10 rebounds while effectively defending Kansas’s All-American center, Hunter Dickinson, limiting him to just six points.
Coach McDermott praised Kalkbrenner’s grit, saying, “It’s just a gutsy effort. He showed a lot of courage, a lot of guts. There are two great big guys playing today, I’m sure glad Kalkbrenner is on my team.”
Pop Isaacs led Creighton with 27 points, striking an impressive 6-of-9 from three-point range. Ashworth added a strong all-around performance with 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. For Kansas, Dajuan Harris Jr. scored 15 points, while Zeke Mayo contributed 12.
This defeat is a notable moment for Kansas, which entered the game undefeated and is scheduled to face Missouri next. For Creighton, this victory signifies a turning point after a challenging stretch of games, proving that they can compete fiercely in the Big East and challenging any team that steps onto the court against them.
