Creighton's Marcus Zegarowski drives past a defender during a game last season. The Big East coaches named Zegarowski the league's preseason player of the year. Doug McDermott is the only other CU player to receive that honor since the Jays joined this conference in 2013. Creighton was also picked to finish second in the Big East preseason poll.
Marcus Zegarowski was asked about receiving the league’s top preseason honor Wednesday, and he couldn’t stop talking about his teammates, his coaches and his family.
The point guard knows he’ll be in the spotlight heading into his junior year — he’s the school’s first Big East preseason player of the year since Doug McDermott — and he’s likely to receive several All-America plaudits before the season begins.
But he wants everyone to know that he didn’t reach this point alone.
“I would say this award, it’s kind of like a product of my environment,” Zegarowski said during the Big East’s virtual media day Wednesday. “They make me look good out there.”
That said, Zegarowski is the league’s top returning scorer (16.1 per game). He ranked third in the conference in assists (5.03 per game) and third in 3-point shooting (42.4%) last year.
He’ll lead a team that was picked to finish second in the Big East by league coaches. It’s the highest preseason ranking CU has had since joining the league — the Bluejays were picked third in 2013-14 and 2016-17.
Senior Mitch Ballock was also honored Wednesday, named to the preseason All-Big East second team.
Creighton is returning four more members out of its top rotation from a team that earned a share of the program’s first Big East regular-season championship and finished No. 7 in the final AP Top 25. Zegarowski’s the headliner, though.
And he admits that’s not a position he’s used to. But he’s ready to embrace the moment.
“We have unfinished business,” Zegarowski said. “And we’re excited to take that challenge on.”
Here’s more that Zegarowski, Ballock and coach Greg McDermott shared Wednesday:
» McDermott and Ballock complimented freshman center Ryan Kalkbrenner’s ability to take coaching. He has picked things up quickly. He’s got a 7-foot-4 wingspan and good hands, so he’s been an asset offensively, Ballock said. His presence makes him an impact player as a rim protector on defense, too, McDermott said.
» The energy that junior center Jacob Epperson brings is noticeable, Ballock said. Epperson missed all of last season with a leg injury. But he’s back now and his team is benefiting. “It’s just a joy to see him (on the court),” Ballock said.
» Antwann Jones is more athletic after his redshirt year, he’s become a better shooter and he’s capable of playing multiple positions, McDermott said. Plus, Jones’ “ability to get to the basket is probably as good as anybody on our team,” McDermott said. That’s why he thinks the 6-6 sophomore transfer is going to play a significant role this year.
» Seeing the floor and playing in space are two of freshman Rati Andronikashvili’s strengths, McDermott said. But the first-year guard, from the country of Georgia, is still making adjustments to college basketball.
» Ballock said he worked this offseason on building more consistency with his jump shot when coming off screens. It’s about footwork, body positioning and his release. Ballock mentioned Miami Heat sharpshooter Duncan Robinson as an example for what he’s aiming for. Ballock made 43.5% of his 3-pointers last year.
Big East preseason poll
1. Villanova (9 first place votes) 99 points
2. Creighton (2) 91
3. Providence 79
4. Connecticut 69
5. Seton Hall 67
6. Marquette 50
7. Xavier 47
8. Butler 37
9. St. John's 33
10. DePaul 20
11. Georgetown 13
Preseason All-Big East first team
Marcus Zegarowski, Jr., Creighton
Collin Gillespie, Sr., Villanova
David Duke, Jr., Providence
Sandro Mamukelashvili, Sr., Seton Hall
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, So., Villanova
Charlie Moore, Sr., DePaul
Preseason All-Big East second team
Bryce Nze, Sr., Butler
James Bouknight, So., UConn
Justin Moore, So., Villanova
Mitch Ballock, Sr., Creighton
Nate Watson, Sr., Providence
Paul Scruggs, Sr., Xavier
Preseason All-Big East honorable mentions
D.J. Carton, So., Marquette
Bryce Aiken, Sr., Seton Hall
Photos: History of Creighton men's basketball in the NCAA tournament
Creighton has made the NCAA tournament 21 times in program history. Here are some of the best photos taken in that time.
2016: Creighton players from left Toby Hegner, Tyler Clement and Kobe Paras react to a play in the first half. The Jays would lose to Rhode Island 84-72 in the first round.
2016: Creighton's Justin Patton reacts to a call as he fouls out of the game.
2016: Creighton's Toby Hegner reacts to the loss to Rhode Island in the locker room after the game.
2016: Creighton's Marcus Foster is fouled by Rhode Island's Cyril Langevine.
2014: Creighton coach Greg McDermott hugs his son, Doug McDermott, as he leaves the game during the final moments of an 85-55 loss to Baylor.
2014: Doug McDermott, from left, Ethan Wragge, Will Artino, Jahenns Manigat and Austin Chatman sit on the bench during the game's closing minutes.
2014: CU's Doug McDermott gets a clear shot at the basket.
2014: CU's Austin Chatman, center, and the rest of the team take in the loss in the locker room after the game.
2014: Creighton's Ethan Wragge hits a second-half three point basket in front of the Creighton bench during a 76-66 Jays' victory.
2014: CU's Grant Gibbs fights with Louisiana's Elfrid Payton under the basket.
2014: Doug McDermott drives to the hoop as Louisiana-Lafayette's Elfrid Payton, No. 2, Shawn Long, No. 21, and Elridge Moore, No. 22, defends during the first half.
2014: Austin Chatman celebrates teammate Jahenns Manigat, No. 12, scoring a basket while being fouled.
2013: Creighton's Doug McDermott, left, and Grant Gibbs try to press Duke's Mason Plumlee.
2013: Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and Creighton coach Greg McDermott exchange a few quick words in the hall after the game.
2013: Gregory Echenique, front, and the other players applaud the fans at the end of the Duke game.
2013: Creighton's Doug McDermott doesn't find much space against Duke's Mason Plumlee.
2013: Gregory Echenique goes for the hoop past upended Cincinnati defender Justin Jackson. The Jays would win 67-63.
2013: Creighton's Doug McDermott looks for an open teammate against the Cincinnati defense.
2013: Creighton's Gregory Echenique, left, and Ethan Wragge, right, acknowledge the fans following the win over Cincinnati.
2012: Creighton's Josh Jones gets off a 3-pointer over North Carolina's Harrison Barnes. The Jays would lose 87-73 in the third-round matchup.
2012: Creighton's Gregory Echenique dunks over UNC's John Henson.
2012: North Carolina's John Henson, right, confronts Creighton's Grant Gibbs, left.
2012: CU's Ethan Wragge, left, and Josh Jones, center, reflect in the locker room after the loss to UNC.
2012: Alabama's Trevor Releford missed a game-winning shot with CU's Josh Jones playing tight defense. Creighton would win 58-57.
2012: CU's Avery Dingman, left, embraces Grant Gibbs after Alabama's final shot didn't go in.
2012: Creighton's Doug McDermott, left, and Gregory Echenique, right, crowd Alabama's JaMychal Green.
2012: The referee keeps a close eye on Alabama's Andrew Steele as he plays tight defense against Creighton's Doug McDermott.
2007: Nevada's Kyle Shiloh, right, pokes the eye of Creighton's Nate Funk while both track a loose ball in the air during the Jays' 77-71 overtime loss.
2007: Creighton's Anthony Tolliver shoots against Nevada's Denis Ikovlev.
2007: Creighton's Dane Watts throws his elbows as he protects the ball from Nevada's Dennis Ikovlev (from left), Nick Fazekas and Marcelus Kemp.
2007: Creighton's Nick Porter reacts to the Bluejays' loss to Nevada.
2005: Creighton's Anthony Tolliver reacts to a foul called on him during the Jays' 63-61 loss to West Virginia.
2005: Creighton's Johnny Mathies, center, jumps for two but is swatted by West Virginia's Johannes Herber, right.
2005: Creighton fans cheer during a timeout after the Bluejays took a 10-0 lead to open the game against West Virginia.
2005: Creighton coach Dana Altman watches from the sidelines as the Bluejays and West Virginia duke it out.
Creighton's Kyle Korver loses the ball after stealing it under the Central Michigan basket in 2003. The Jays would go on to lose 79-73.
In 2003, CMU's J.R. Wallace, left, and Tony Bowne, on the floor, chase a loose ball with Creighton's Kyle Korver, No. 25, and Tyler McKinney, No. 24.
2003: Creighton coach Dana Altman watches Central Michigan take the lead in the second half.
Creighton's Kyle Korver, left, tries to get by Illinois' Cory Bradford in the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2002. The Jays would fall 72-60.
2002: Creighton's Larry House has layup is blocked by Illinois' Robert Archibald.
2002: Illinois coach Bill Self yells during his squad's game against Creighton.
2002: CU's Terrell Taylor kicks Cory Bradford's pass.
2002: Creighton's Terrell Taylor puts up the game-winning shot in double overtime to beat Florida 83-82 in a first-round game of the NCAA Midwest Regional.
2002: Creighton's Brody Deren, left, shoots over Florida's Udonis Haslem.
2002: Florida's Justin Hamilton, left, ties up Creighton's Joe Dabbert in the second half.
2002: Creighton's Kyle Korver celebrates after CU goes into overtime against Florida.
2001: Iowa's Jason Smith and Creighton's Kyle Korver scramble for a loose ball during the second half of the Hawkeyes' 69-56 win over the Jays.
2001: Creighton's Livan Pyfrom throws down the dunk over Iowa's Dean Oliver and Duez Henderson.
2001: Creighton seniors Ben Walker, left, and Ryan Sears leave the court after losing to Iowa.
2000: Creighton's Ben Walker, right, drives against Auburn's Scott Pohlman in the first round. The Jays would go on to fall 72-69.
2000: Creighton's Ryan Sears, left, and Justin Haynes, right, trap Auburn's Scott Pohlman.
2000: Creighton coach Dana Altman tries to get the Bluejays into position to press after they come with three-points of tying the game in the last minutes.
2000: Creighton seniors Donnie Johnson, left, and Matt West, right, watch the seconds tick away on their final game of their careers at Creighton.
1999: Creighton's Corie Brandon, right, leans around Maryland's Danny Miller, left. The Terrapins would win 75-63.
1999: Creighton coach Dana Altman signals jump ball to the officials after his players tied up Maryland.
1999: Creighton's Rodney Buford drives against Maryland's Laron Profit.
1999: Maryland's Terrell Stokes , left, and Steve Francis, right, right, box in Creighton's Ben Walker.
1999: Members of the Creighton basketball team, including Donnie Johnson, left, Justin Haynes, No. 40, and Alan Huss, No. 34, celebrate during the closing moments of an upset win over Louisville in the first round.
1999: Creighton's Ben Walker, on ground, reaches for a loose ball between Louisville defenders Cameron Murray, left, and Marques Maybin, right, during the second half.
1999: Creighton's Ryan Sears reaches out to attempt to knock the ball away from Louisville's Marques Maybin.
1999: Creighton's Doug Swenson, left, and Ryan Sears , No. 5, pressure Louisville's Tony Williams.
1991: Bob Harstad, the 1990 Missouri Valley player of the year, goes up for a shot over Seton Hall's Anthony Avent, the 1991 MVC player of the year, with Chad Gallagher getting position for a possible rebound. The Jays would go on to lose 81-69 in the second round.
jon.nyatawa@owh.com, 402-473-9585,
Jon Nyatawa
Reporter - Creighton athletics
Jon covers Creighton athletics, the College World Series and more for The World-Herald. Follow him on Twitter @JonNyatawa. Phone: 402-444-6611
