It might be a tad early to start mentioning Ethan Wragge in the same breath as some of Dana Altman's top shooters in his 16 seasons as Creighton's coach.

Then again, no player in the Altman era has come out in his first two college games firing from long range with greater efficiency than has the true freshman from Eden Prairie, Minn. Not Kyle Korver. Not Booker Woodfox. Not Nate Funk. Not Ryan Sears.

In his first two games, the 6-foot-7 Wragge has connected on 7 of 12 shots from beyond the arc. Wragge's seven 3-point baskets tie Matt Roggenburk's school record for 3-point baskets in a player's first two games. Roggenburk's first season at Creighton was in 1986-87.

Roggenburk went on to make 185 3-point shots in his career, which puts him fifth on Creighton's all-time chart. Korver, of course, is the school's all-time leader with 371, followed by Sears (245), Rodney Buford (212) and Funk (200).

Where Wragge eventually winds up on that chart remains to be seen. One thing is certain: he's going to keep firing. He needed just one word when asked if he's ever hesitant to put up a shot.

“No,'' he replied confidently.

His quick trigger finger is a reaction to doing what he's been told.

“Coach always says to be ready to shoot it when I get in,'' Wragge said. “I trust my shot, so I'm ready.''

After two games, Wragge ranks as Creighton's second-leading scorer behind another newcomer, junior-college transfer Darryl Ashford. Wragge scored 11 points, making 3 of 4 3-point shots, in the Bluejays' 90-80 season-opening loss to Dayton. He delivered 16 points in a 78-53 victory over Florida A&M while making 4 of 8 shots from beyond the arc.

Ashford has 30 points after two games, following up a 13-point debut against Dayton with a team-high 17 against the Rattlers.

Ashford's production ranks as the third-best two-game start for a newcomer under Altman, while Wragge stands fifth. Edward St. Fleur scored 33 points in his first two games of the 1995-96 season, while P'Allen Stinnett had 32 to open 2007-08. Brody Deren's 29 points in 2001-02 separate Ashford and Wragge.

The quick starts for Ashford and Wragge have come, in part, by necessity. Creighton started the season without three experienced players it was counting on, as forwards Justin Carter and Chad Millard are injured and Casey Harriman is recovering from illness.

That's opened up plenty of minutes, and Ashford and Wragge have responded. So have, to varying degrees, the Bluejays' other three newcomers — Wayne Runnels, Andrew Bock and Josh Jones.

“We have a bunch of new guys that have stepped up immediately and been productive,'' center Kenny Lawson said. “That's made it a lot easier on the veterans. They've become acclimated to the system so quickly, and that's really helped the team out.

“Some of the guys are emerging into leaders.''

Runnels, another junior-college transfer, leads Creighton with 18 rebounds. He had 16 points against Dayton but went scoreless against Florida A&M. True freshman Bock has scored six points and handed out four assists in backup duty at the point, while Jones, a redshirt freshman from Omaha Central, has eight points and six rebounds in the two games.

Wragge's outside shooting ability is what attracted Creighton's coaches and led to a scholarship offer. He once made eight consecutive 3-point shots in a high school game, and he wound up as Eden Prairie's career leader for 3-pointers and free-throw percentage.

“He's got a good stroke,'' Altman said, “and he gets squared up to the basket quickly, which allows him to get his shot off pretty quickly.''

Wragge believes his time spent in Omaha last summer prepared him for a quick start. He actually reported to campus prior to graduating from high school. He returned home for the graduation ceremony but then spent the rest of the summer building his body in the weight room and his confidence in pick-up games.

“Playing pick-up the whole summer allowed me to get a feel for playing with my teammates and for the strength you need to keep from getting pushed around,'' he said. “Being here this summer has been a big part in helping me get this season started right.''

Contact the writer:

679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com

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