8:58 p.m.: One of my chat buddies asked the other day if I thought Matt Dorwart would get any meaningful minutes in Creighton’s season opener against Dayton.

I crafted a diplomatic reply. If I wanted to have been blunt, I might have replied: "If you’re a Creighton fan, you better hope not.’’

That’s no knock against Dorwart, a 6-foot-8 redshirt freshman from Sidney, Neb. He’s a bright, young man, a hard-worker and an honors student who is looking to become a physical therapist or a doctor.

The fact that his name is even being mentioned for possible playing time underscores the state of Creighton’s frontcourt, which has been riddled by injury and illness. Starter Justin Carter is out with a knee injury. Casey Harriman, who would have stepped into Carter’s role, has been seriously ill for more than a week. No one knows when Chad Millard’s foot will allow him to suit up.

Dorwart did get to play eight minutes in Sunday’s exhibition game against UNO. He made a couple of 3-point shots — the first a bank job that perhaps illustrated the extra adrenaline that was pumping through his system — grabbed a rebound and took a charge.

But realistically, Dorwart is no more ready to duel a big, experienced Dayton front line than most of Creighton’s undergraduate population. He tried out last season and made the team as a practice player. He never suited up for a game. He figured to play the same role this season, perhaps eventually working his way into a spot where he could contribute in a season or two.

Consider this: Anthony Tolliver probably is the best big man to play for coach Dana Altman during his time at Creighton. Tolliver’s skills are fringe NBA-ish but he would have his hands full trying to keep up with Dayton’s Chris Wright Saturday.

Throwing Matt Dorwart into that kind of situation could stunt his growth and could destroy his confidence. He should play against Dayton only if foul trouble dictates a need for a another body.

Again, no knock on Dorwart. As a frequent visitor to practice, I’ve come to admire what he and the Bluejays’ other walk-ons — Derek Sebastian, Taylor Stormberg and Ross Ferrarini — bring on a day-to-day basis. They work as hard as the scholarship guys knowing the chances of being rewarded with playing time on game day are slim to non-existent. Heck, Stormberg and Ferrarini won't even suit up this season.

One of the things that Altman tried to stress this week in practice is the intense pressure Dayton’s defense will try to put on his players. The Bluejays worked on drills to try to simulate that pressure.

During one drill, Stormberg got up and guarded the other point guards so closely that he not only knew what kind of gum Cavel Witter and Andrew Bock were chewing but he might have sneaked in a chew or two himself. The other practice players tried to do the same in an attempt to help make their teammates better.

For whatever reasons, the skills of Dorwart, Sebastian, Stormberg and Ferrarini were, at some point, judged not to be worthy of a Division I scholarship. What isn’t lacking, though, is the passion each has for basketball and the desire of each to be a contributor to a team. They pay to play -- in practice.

Before they’re through at Creighton, Dorwart, Sebastian, Stormberg and Ferrarini might get their chance to step on the court and play for the Bluejays. Saturday, though, is not the proper time to throw Dorwart to the wolves, eh, Flyers.

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