Get ready, Bluejay fans, because Isaac Traudt is poised to set the court ablaze! The upcoming exhibition game against No. 16 Iowa State marks the first chance for fans of No. 23 Creighton men's basketball to witness the new talent in action.
While the buzz around transfers and freshmen is understandable, given the significant roster changes in college basketball, don't overlook the returning players who have been putting in serious work. Creighton boasts a roster of 16 players this year, with nine new faces.
Junior forward Isaac Traudt is one such player whose offseason efforts have translated into outstanding practice performances.
“It’s been insane,” Iowa transfer Josh Dix shared with Hurrdat Sports. “I hope to be on his team every single day, because the way that he’s shooting the ball, it’s like, every time he shoots and you’re on the other team, you just put your head down because it’s going in. In some of the drills we do, you’ve got to get a stop, and if Isaac’s on the other team, it’s tough, man. It’s tough.”
Traudt, a Grand Island native, spent a redshirt year at Virginia before transferring to Creighton before the 2023-24 season. He averaged 8.8 minutes per game as a redshirt freshman, contributing 2.9 points per game while shooting 42.1% from beyond the arc. Traudt's role expanded in his sophomore year, playing in all 36 games with four starts, averaging 4.6 points and 2.2 rebounds, and shooting 38.4% from 3-point range in 15.8 minutes per game.
With competition for playing time expected to be fierce this season, Traudt is making a compelling case for himself.
“He’s shot the ball at a high, high level, so it’s been fun to watch, and defensively, I think he’s made some strides,” Coach Greg McDermott noted. “Certainly, his communication is at a really high level right now. He’s playing with a ton of confidence, so it’s been fun to see. Isaac’s one of those guys who can be over with the top group, he can be with the second group that particular day, and it doesn’t make any difference. He has the same approach every single day. I think he’s been prepared for every practice and he really, I think, has built off what was a very good season last year.”
Traudt's confidence in his shot has always been there, but he's thrilled to see the ball consistently going through the net as the season approaches.
“It definitely shows that I’m able to help this team shooting the ball, but also defensively and with communication too,” Traudt said. “I feel like I’m in a good spot, but ultimately happy with the team’s growth so far, and think we’re stepping in the right direction.”
Creighton has faced frontcourt challenges during the offseason. Fans won't see Iowa transfer Owen Freeman at the five against the Cyclones as he recovers from knee surgery. Traudt and Jasen Green have been versatile in workouts and practices, potentially playing center depending on matchups and the development of younger players.
“I think we’ll both be able to play some five; with me, it’d be more of a five-out kind of, five shooters on the floor, and with him, it’d be more probably defensive versatility, if they have a bruising five man,” Traudt explained. “So I think we both bring different looks to the team, and we’ll be able to contribute together.”
But here's where it gets controversial... This will be the first of two meetings this season between Coach McDermott and his former assistant, T.J. Otzelberger, the head coach for Iowa State. The Bluejays and Cyclones will face off again at the Players Era Men’s Championship in Las Vegas in late November. McDermott admitted he wouldn't have scheduled the exhibition if he had known about the tournament draw.
“T.J. and I both really went at the promoter in Vegas to get him to switch it, but it was already done,” McDermott said. “I guess it’s like playing a conference game; you play a team at home and then you go on the road. It’s not like T.J. and I don’t know each other’s stuff inside and out anyway, so it’ll be a fun game for our fans … It’ll be a pretty cool environment for October.”
Iowa State will be without starting point guard Tamin Lipsey. Creighton may also be without key starters, as Jackson McAndrew is doubtful, and Freeman is still out.
“Obviously you want to get some guys on the floor and play in front of a crowd and see how they react,” McDermott said. “We’ll throw a lot of different combinations out there. The most important thing is we get something out of it and nobody gets hurt. That’s the most important thing, because it’s an important part of our growth, and that’s why you play the exhibition games.”
The Cyclones had a strong 25-10 season, earning a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament before falling in the second round and finishing 17th in the final AP Poll. While their top two scorers are gone, they still have three double-digit scorers returning: forwards Joshua Jefferson (13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game) and Milan Momcilovic (11.5 points per game, 39.6% from 3), along with Lipsey. Iowa State finished 13th in adjusted defensive efficiency and 19th on the offensive end, according to KenPom. They've consistently ranked in the top 15 nationally in forcing turnovers during Otzelberger's tenure.
This marks the second consecutive year Creighton has faced a top-25 team in a preseason exhibition. Last season, the Bluejays defeated Purdue 93-87, building a double-digit lead before holding off a late rally.
“What I liked about last year, we didn’t play [Ryan Kalkbrenner] much at all the second half, and it was a close game with five minutes ago and we found a way to win it against — they left most of their guys out there. So it was a great growing experience for the guys that were out there during that time to be able to execute and find a way to win against what turned out to be a very good basketball team.
“We’re going to play a lot of guys, we’re going to do our thing. There are certainly going to be some peaks and valleys to these games because of the amount of new players that we have and guys that are in some different spots, but you also desperately need to play somebody else, so that part of it will be really good for us.”
The exhibition game tips off at 7:30 p.m. CT on Friday at CHI Health Center Omaha. Nebraska Public Media will televise the game in-state, while Creighton will offer a stream behind a $7.99 paywall for fans outside Nebraska.
What do you think, Bluejay fans? Will Traudt's shooting prowess be a game-changer this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
