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<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_nppi364n3">For five years, Ryan Kalkbrenner was a pivotal player for Greg McDermott and the Creighton Bluejays, renowned as one of the top defensive talents in college basketball. Now, after being named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year four times, he has moved on to join the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA, marking a significant change for Coach McDermott as he navigates this season without his defensive stalwart for the first time in years.</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_68xzuay11">Creighton will kick off the Kalkbrenner-less chapter when they face Gonzaga on November 11 at the McCarthey Athletic Center. This matchup will occur during Gonzaga's third game of the season, preceded by clashes against Texas Southern on November 3 and Oklahoma on November 8, while it will be Creighton's second outing following their home game against South Dakota on November 5.</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_r2f3ds9ol">Creighton and Gonzaga have historically been linked as prominent programs outside of college football, having shared thrilling games over the years. This includes a home-and-home series in 2018 and 2019, where Gonzaga claimed victories both times, and their encounter in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, which Gonzaga won by 83-65 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_dj167b6rl">The two programs have also seen player exchanges, notably Grant Gibbs transferring from Gonzaga to Creighton, emerging as one of the all-time assist leaders, and Ryan Nembhard making a similar move about a decade later after setting the single-season assist record for Gonzaga.</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_73vxcnuh6">It's uncommon for power conference teams to face Gonzaga at The Kennel, but Coach McDermott and Creighton are ready to take on the challenge early in the 2025-26 season with a roster that features a blend of nine newcomers and seven returning players.</p>
<h3 class="tagStyle_12j16kw-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_xvk1nvghf">Projecting Creighton's Starting Lineup</h3>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_xvk1nvghf">PG: Nik Graves</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_p6hwvvcq8">SG: Josh Dix</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_far0vumdz">SF: Blake Harper</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_wrxozldxo">PF: Jackson McAndrew</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_b0s85e026">C: Owen Freeman</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_evnexq9k9">Coach Mark Few of Gonzaga will have limited time to evaluate Creighton's new roster, although they are acquainted with Freeman, who was a target for them earlier in the offseason. Freeman excelled last year at Iowa, averaging 16.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks over 19 games, posing an early challenge to Gonzaga's bigs, Graham Ike and Braden Huff.</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_a001lwm24">Joining Freeman are Jackson McAndrew, expected to be a breakout star and the team’s top returning scorer and rebounder, further enhancing a challenging frontcourt matchup for Gonzaga.</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_omx2vnit9">Creighton's starting lineup will also include three new additions from the transfer portal, with Blake Harper from Howard, Nik Graves from Charlotte, and Josh Dix, Freeman's teammate from Iowa, who scored 14.4 points with a 42.2% shooting rate from three last season. Stopping Dix from getting open opportunities will be vital for Gonzaga.</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_h4pqe3x4m">Harper was impressive at Howard, nearly averaging 20 points per game while shooting over 40% from three, and Graves contributed 17.5 points in the American Conference at Charlotte.</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_hm75ybwtr">Creighton also boasts key returning players, including Montenegran wing Fedor Zugic, who made an impact in his first season, alongside expected progress from forwards Jasen Green and guard Ty Davis. Miami transfer Austin Swartz and High Point transfer Liam McChesney are poised to add depth as well.</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_tve7nij8r">Adding to their talent pool, Creighton secured Hudson Greer, a highly-ranked freshman in the Big East, and two international recruits, Kerem Konan from Turkey and Aleksa Dimitrijevic from Serbia, enriching their frontcourt options.</p>
<p class="tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_070wkbdgc">Having made NCAA Tournament appearances as a single-digit seed for the last five years, Creighton will contend for a top seed in the Big East alongside UConn, Saint John's, and Marquette. This game promises to be an exciting early-season test for both teams and offers local fans a chance to witness a potentially top-25 squad at The Kennel in mid-November.</p>
<h3 class="tagStyle_12j16kw-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz" data-mm-id="_3qwqqkjgu">MORE GONZAGA NEWS & ANALYSIS</h3>
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