Creighton Aims to Extend McDermott's Tenure in Rutgers Matchup

Veteran coach Greg McDermott announced his retirement at the end of the season, but the Bluejays hope to extend his tenure with a strong showing in the College Basketball Crown tournament.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:10pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a college basketball game broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conveying the dynamic energy and tactical nuance of the sport.A fractured, geometric illustration captures the intensity and strategic complexity of a high-stakes college basketball matchup.Creighton Today

After missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six seasons, Creighton coach Greg McDermott announced his retirement effective at the end of the current season. The Bluejays now face Rutgers in the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Crown tournament, with the winner advancing to the semifinals. Creighton is hoping to get three wins in the tournament to avoid its second losing season under McDermott's tenure.

Why it matters

This tournament represents a final chance for McDermott to extend his 13-year tenure at Creighton, which has seen the program reach the NCAA Tournament in five of the last six seasons. A strong showing could provide a fitting sendoff for the veteran coach, while a disappointing exit would mark the end of an era for the Bluejays.

The details

Creighton (15-17) is coming off a 72-61 loss to Seton Hall in the Big East tournament quarterfinals, where they shot just 33.3% from the field. The Bluejays have struggled with their shooting all season, being held under 40% in seven games. Josh Dix and Nik Graves have been Creighton's top scorers of late, with Dix posting back-to-back 22-point games. Rutgers (14-19) is also looking to bounce back after a 72-59 loss to UCLA in the Big Ten tournament. The Scarlet Knights are led by Tariq Francis, who is averaging 16.9 points per game and has had several 30-point outings this season.

  • Creighton's next game is on Thursday, April 3, 2026 in the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Crown tournament in Las Vegas.
  • The tournament semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • The tournament championship game will be played on Sunday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Greg McDermott

The veteran head coach of the Creighton Bluejays, who announced his retirement effective at the end of the current season.

Josh Dix

A Creighton player who has led the team in scoring with back-to-back 22-point games.

Nik Graves

A Creighton player who has reached double figures in scoring in four straight games.

Tariq Francis

The leading scorer for Rutgers, averaging 16.9 points per game and capable of big scoring outbursts.

Steve Pikiell

The head coach of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

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What they’re saying

“The reality of it is, you get to play college basketball once, and if somebody tells you (that) you get to play a few more games, then you play a few more games. If they're going to give us a chance to play, we'll keep playing.”

— Greg McDermott, Head Coach, Creighton Bluejays

“The point is, you're never that far away when you're in a league like ours. This league hardens you up. (The Cornhuskers) get off the mat, go to the Crown, win it, and they parlay that into this great season.”

— Steve Pikiell, Head Coach, Rutgers Scarlet Knights

What’s next

The winner of the Creighton-Rutgers matchup will face either Stanford or West Virginia in the semifinals of the College Basketball Crown tournament on Saturday, April 5, 2026.

The takeaway

This tournament represents a final chance for veteran Creighton coach Greg McDermott to extend his tenure with the program, as he has announced his retirement effective at the end of the season. A strong showing from the Bluejays could provide a fitting sendoff for McDermott, who has led the team to five NCAA Tournament appearances in the last six seasons.