Ryan Kalkbrenner, No, 14 Creighton take aim at Kansas City

Creighton star big man Ryan Kalkbrenner has missed just three field-goal attempts in three games.The nearly perfect Kalkbrenner will aim to continue his early-season run when No. 14 Creighton battles Kansas City on Saturday night in Omaha, Neb.Kalkbrenner has been hotter than lava by making 35 of 38 shots, and his 92.1 field-goal percentage ranks third in the nation. He rates second nationally with a 29.7 scoring average, and also is contributing 7.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks while helping the Bluejays (3-0) get off to a strong start.Kalkbrenner made all six of his field-goal attempts on Monday when Creighton rolled to a 78-43 win over Houston Christian. He had 16 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes.But the 7-foot-1 center was more impressed with a different number — 328.That’s how many wins at Creighton that coach Greg McDermott has recorded, as the victory over Houston Christian set the school mark. He surpassed Dana Altman (327 from 1994-2010), the coach he replaced.”It’s awesome that I’ve been able to be a part of it and having Mac as my coach for so long has been such a blessing in my life,” Kalkbrenner said. “To see that accomplishment for him is so awesome. To be a part of that, it’s amazing.”McDermott said it is all the people and players who have been part of the program that made the milestone meaningful.McDermott already was more infatuated by how Creighton can be better defensively when it faces Kansas City. Interesting because the Bluejays have limited opponents to 34.9 percent from the field through the three games.”We’re trying to grow defensively,” McDermott said. “That’s been a big focus of ours since our first game and we took a step in the right direction. …””Sooner or later, the defense and offense have to show up on the same night. Hopefully that’s Saturday.”Steven Ashworth also is off to a solid start with averages of 17.7 points and a team-leading 7.3 assists. He has made 10 of 20 3-pointers.Kansas City (2-1) is coming off an 82-56 loss at No. 7 Iowa State on Monday.

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