Position preview: Breaking down Creighton men's basketball's wings
The college basketball season is fast approaching, as the Creighton men open with an exhibition against Purdue on Oct. 26. Until then, The World-Herald will preview one of the team's position groups each week.
Here are the Bluejay wings.
Latest word
The wings — who coach Greg McDermott plays and how he plays them — are the most intriguing bunch of this year's team.
Just as Creighton had to replace Trey Alexander in its backcourt, the Bluejays were tasked with replacing Baylor Scheierman, the Boston Celtics' first-round selection in June's draft.
Mason Miller, one of the top marksmen in the country, returned for his junior year. And Jasen Green, who blossomed throughout the final six weeks of last season, is also back. They both have the advantage of already being in the program multiple years. They know how things operate; they've proven themselves.
Miller, who started all last season at the 4, spent a good chunk of the summer recovering from a broken leg. His sharpshooting abilities fit perfectly in CU's let-it-fly offense, though he at times struggled on the block as a defender in the always-brutal Big East.
He participated in the first few practices before being sidelined again. Miller's health will dictate things, McDermott said in a sitdown with The World-Herald.
Green — and his development — will be vital this season. He showed at the end of 2023-24 that he can contribute on the glass and in the post, especially as a defender. The Millard North product worked on 3s all offseason, which Green said was the most work he's ever put in, and transformed his body to be able to defend 1-5.
Who can help
McDermott and his staff nabbed Arizona State transfer Jamiya Neal out of the portal. And they filled the last scholarship with Fedor Zugic, an international prospect from Montenegro. Then there's returner Isaac Traudt and freshman Jackson McAndrew, but more on them in the bigs breakdown.
Neal, CU's first portal addition of the summer, is an experienced high-flying slasher and menacing defender. He can blow by people and get to the rim, but he's a career 26.9% 3-point shooter. Both Neal and McDermott believe he'll be more efficient in the Bluejays' offense, which focuses on turning good looks into great looks.
Zugic, who turned 21 in September, played professionally overseas. There's no telling what his role on this team will be, though, because Creighton doesn't know when or if he'll be eligible.
But Zugic, an NBA hopeful, can straight-up hoop. Last season, with German club BG 74 Gottingen, he averaged 10.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 21 minutes a game. He, like Neal, can put the ball on the floor with a quick first step, but he hit 36% of his 3s with Gottingen.
With uncertainties surrounding Miller's health and Zugic's eligibility, Creighton's starters on opening night will likely be Neal at the 3 and Green at the 4. After that, McDermott has options. There are plenty of toys in this toy box.
It could be Neal at the 3 and Miller at the 4, putting both a slasher and marksman on the floor. Or Green at the 3 and, say, Traudt at the 4. Perhaps there's a world where both Green and Miller share the floor.
The middle of the Jays' lineup could look different every night, depending on the matchup.
And everything changes if the NCAA grants Zugic eligibility.
So., 6-8, 230
Versailte, hard-nosed defender and savvy rebounder looking to have more of an impact beyond the arc. His nine boards in the Sweet 16 win over Oregon are the second most by a Creighton freshman in an NCAA Tournament game.
Sr., 6-5, 190
Averaged a career-high 11 points and 5.4 rebounds in an expanded role last season, his third at Arizona State. Played 30-plus minutes a game in 2-23-24 while starting 31 of 32 games for the Sun Devils.
Fr., 6-6, 215
At 15 years and 157 days old, he was the youngest player to ever play in the EuroLeague. Do-it-all player who scored 18 points a game to help Montenegro win bronze at the 2022 FIBA U20 European Championships.
Jr., 6-9, 195
Miller, the son of NBA champion Mike Miller, led the Big East in 3-point percentage (45.4%) last season. Won a preseason position battle a year ago and went on to start all 33 games he played. Spent this summer recovering from a broken leg.
