Don’t suggest to the Creighton side that Sunday’s game at Qwest Center Omaha against Nebraska is no big deal.

Given the egg they laid on their trip to Florida for the Old Spice Classic, the Bluejays probably would see monumental overtones in a matchup with Our Lady of the Perpetual Creampuffs.

And don’t tell Creighton center Kenny Lawson NU-CU is not a rivalry.

“I don’t think this is just another game,’’ Lawson said. “It’s a rivalry game, and we’re coming off three losses. This is a very important game for our confidence and to get better.’’

The annual showdown between the Bluejays and the Huskers always spurs debate on both sides about the relative importance of the meeting.

The game fuels high emotions with fans in both camps, as well as with some of the players.

“It’s a rivalry game, so that’s going to make it big,’’ Creighton forward Justin Carter said. “But it’s even bigger this year because of what happened in Florida.’’

Creighton lost all three of its games at the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, to Michigan, Xavier and Iona. The losses dropped the Bluejays to 2-4, the first time in Altman’s 16 seasons they have been under .500 after six games.

“I’m disappointed where we’re at because we haven’t made the progress that we should have made,’’ Altman said. “I just haven’t done a good job, and I have to take my share of the responsibility. I just haven’t been able to get our emphasis across to them. There are a lot of factors involved, but part of it is that I’m not doing my job.’’

Injuries and illness have stunted Creighton’s development. The Bluejays are relying on sophomore Antoine Young and true freshman Andrew Bock to play extensive minutes at the point. Overall, the team has been lax with its ball security, averaging 16 turnovers per game, and the defense hasn’t gotten enough big stops.

Add to that the fact that some of the team’s better shooters are having difficulty knocking down shots, and it’s made for a bad six-game mix that has Altman searching for productive combinations.

“We might be playing too many guys, but it’s hard to cut the rotation down because we haven’t had anyone distinguishing themselves or separating themselves,’’ Altman said.

If the Bluejays can’t get it going today against Nebraska, they could find themselves with their first four-game losing skid since the 1999-2000 season.

“When you drop three games in a row, it shoots your confidence a little bit,’’ Lawson said. “We’re going through a little adversity right now, and we just have to fight through it.’’

Contact the writer:

679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com

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