Creighton’s preparations for the 2009-10 basketball season switches from the informal to the formal this week.
After a pair of public workouts the past two Saturdays, the Bluejays will hold a pair of full-blown dress rehearsals Wednesday and Sunday at Qwest Center Omaha. Creighton faces Missouri Western, a Division II school from St. Joseph, Mo., on Wednesday night at 7:05. They’ll come back Sunday for a 2:05 game against UNO.
Creighton fans hungry for a glimpse of their team got the opportunity with the two workouts at Sokol Arena. About 1,000 turned out each day, watching the players practice and scrimmage before interacting with them during the post-workout autograph sessions.
Obviously, the new arena gives Creighton added opportunities to showcase their teams — Jim Flanery’s women’s team worked out after the men on Saturday. In the past, the men would have held one workout, on a weekday night, at the Qwest. Creighton had to pick up the tab for arena use and parking; now, the Bluejays need only open the doors.
Creighton coach Dana Altman liked the response the two workouts received from the public.
"I really like the facility, and the floor is excellent,’’ he said. "It’s nice to get some people here and have a chance to play in front of the fans. This has been great for our players and great for the young fans who want to come out and get an autograph. I’m looking forward to doing this next season.’’
Creighton Athletic Director Bruce Rasmussen, a former basketball coach, said the public workouts are beneficial in getting the players a chance to play in front of a live audience.
"Everyone reacts differently when they are playing in front of fans,’’ Rasmussen said. "It’s just human nature.’’
When freshman Andrew Bock put on a shooting show at the end of Saturday’s workout, Bock got energized by the fan reaction to him draining five straight 3-point shots. Each appeared slightly longer than the previous before Bock drew a loud ovation by nailing his last one from at least 25 feet.
"If that happens at a regular practice,’’ Rasmussen said, "Coach is probably yelling, ‘Who’s got that guy! ‘’
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