Creighton coach Greg McDermott is among the few in the men’s college basketball scene who publicly emphasizes sportsmanship, respect, and humility, believing teams should “win with class and lose with class.”
Building on this perspective, McDermott was notably proactive. He addressed his players’ apparent unsportsmanlike acts during the Bluejays’ 89-85 win over the Butler Bulldogs on Tuesday.
Greg McDermott Airs His Side on Huddle-Crashing Incident in Crucial Moments of Creighton-Butler Clash
McDermott makes it clear through his instructions and sideline demeanor that he expects accountability from his team.
During a postgame media session after Creighton’s victory, McDermott spoke about the apparent huddle-crashing of his players, Ty Davis and Nik Graves, on Butler’s bench during timeouts. One incident went viral on social media. Davis tried to eavesdrop on the Bulldogs’ strategy with 4.1 seconds left in the game.
The 6’4″ sophomore guard drew an angry rebuke from Butler assistant coach Maurice Joseph. Joseph may have reminded him that it is unsportsmanlike to listen to the huddle of your opponent.
McDermott told the media he disapproved of his players’ actions and called them inappropriate.
“Our guys shouldn’t be down there and I talked to them both. I mean obviously we have a right to stand wherever we want to. But that’s not our style and I told coach Matta that can’t happen,” the veteran Creighton coach said.
The Butler coach shrugged off the incident and pointed out that it wasn’t a big deal.
“We were drawing an action, and the Creighton player put his head in the huddle. Nothing major,” he said.
Creighton Picks Up Steam With Late-December Rush
McDermott and Creighton ended the month of December in a positive note, winning 89-85, over Butler on Tuesday to extend its winning streak to four games and 9-5 overall, including 3-0 in the Big East.
One of the perennial contenders in the conference, Creighton is picking up steam and is one of the four teams in the Big East that remained unbeaten.
Creighton won despite being outrebounded off the offensive glass, 21-10, and committed more turnovers (12-10). Jasen Green and Austin Swartz combined for 45 points to lead the Bluejays, upstaging Michael Ajayi’s 16-point, 13-rebound double-double for Butler. McDermott’s men were almost automatic from the free-throw line, making 14 of 15 attempts, and they sizzled for a 41% success rate from three-point range.
Creighton looks to stretch its winning streak to five games when it travels to New Jersey and faces Seton Hall on Sunday at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Pirates are 12-2 this season and 2-1 in the Big East. The Shaheen Holloway-coached team is coming off a 79-73 win over Marquette in their last game on Tuesday.
