Dissecting the strengths and weaknesses of Creighton guard Josh Jones' game leads to one inevitable conclusion.

Whatever good or bad the redshirt freshman does on the court, he does it with enthusiasm.

“Josh brings the energy,'' junior forward Darryl Ashford said, “and he gets us going.''

For much of the season, Jones had to be feeling like a caged Energizer bunny. His chances to contribute came few and far between. Heading into the final week of January, Jones had played a total of 93 minutes, nine of which had come in Missouri Valley Conference play.

Jones got an opportunity to play more when P'Allen Stinnett was suspended. He scored a then career-high 13 points in playing 21 minutes in the Jan. 27 win over Bradley. He scored six points in 19 minutes in Saturday's loss at Drake, then came back to establish another career high with 14 points in 23 minutes Wednesday in a CU win over Evansville.

In the three games, Jones has made 11 of 19 shots, including 7 of 14 from 3-point range.

“He's knocked down shots, which has built his confidence,'' senior forward Justin Carter said. “And that gives us confidence in him.''

Jones' offensive capabilities were never in question. He scored 1,518 points in helping Omaha Central win three Nebraska high school championships. He tied a Class A record when he made 10 3-point baskets in a game against Bellevue East.

It was Jones' defense and his inability to master some of the finer points of the Bluejays' system that held him back.

“It was very tough to have to sit and watch,'' Jones said. “I love the game of basketball, and I felt I was good enough to play here. But Coach Altman obviously knows better.

“I got to a point where I was like a dog in a cage.”

Coach Dana Altman has noticed a change in Jones' practice habits.

“Josh had lost a little bit of his focus, which is easy to do when you're not getting the opportunity you want,'' Altman said. “He has his focus back. He has his bounce back, and if we could get him a little more focused on that defensive end, he'd really be doing some good things for us.”

Jones is aware of the circumstances that provided him with this chance.

“I know there are people saying the only reason I'm playing is because of P'Allen,'' Jones said. “I try not to think about it like that. I think about that I'm in a position to help the team.”

• NOTES: Stinnett, who was on the bench for Wednesday's game, did not practice with the Bluejays on Thursday. His status for Saturday at Missouri State remains unclear. Asked if there was anything new with Stinnett's status, Altman replied, “Nope.'' . . . Creighton's next home game is Tuesday against Indiana State. The Sycamores will be at less-than-full strength as leading scorer Harry Marshall suffered a stress fracture in his right foot in Wednesday's win over Illinois State. Marshall will be sidelined four to six weeks. The Sycamores also lost guard Dwayne Lathan, who broke three bones in his right hand.

Contact the writer:

679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com

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