Rant Sports- Dave Daniels
Doug McDermott shocked the college basketball world this week, when he announced his decision to return to Creighton for his senior year.
“I feel like I can be a lot better and the whole Big East deal and helping Creighton with the transition to the new conference and playing for my dad for another year was all important,” said McDermott. “At the end of the day, that’s where my heart was and I couldn’t pass it up. It’s going to be a whole different season next year. It hasn’t hit me yet that we’re going to be playing in Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, D.C. and cities with good programs, and we’re looking forward to what we can do and the damage we can do.”
The big spotlight should suit McDermott who is a big time player. He likely would have been drafted in the second round this year, so it should be interesting to see what happens with his draft stock in the next year. Who knows? Maybe playing in a bigger conference will give McDermott the recognition that he deserves.
“What does it mean for Creighton?” said athletic director Bruce Rasmussen. “Well, for me, I’m in the same office, the same city and the same university but I’ve got a completely different job. He’s on the same team, but he’s got a completely different job in a new league. They all have to step up. We’re confident in our own ability but we’re not arrogant. He looked at the ability to play with his dad and be with a group of guys and good friends. He can go to different places and go against different competition. It was exciting for him and it’s definitely going to make the transition easier for us.”
McDermott’s father Greg McDermott has said that coaching his son during his senior year will be special and it should be fun to see how far the Blue Jays can go.
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