Where Does Creighton Basketball Stand in the Latest Conference Rankings?

The buzz around Creighton basketball this week isn't just about their last-second shot or a standout freshman performance. It’s a quieter, more persistent hum about positioning. As we roll into the heart of the conference schedule, the question on every fan’s mind is a straightforward one: Where does Creighton basketball stand in the latest conference rankings? The answer, as of this morning, is a solid but precarious third. They’re sitting at 9-3 in Big East play, a game and a half behind the relentless UConn Huskies and half a game behind a surprisingly tough Marquette squad. The numbers tell a story of a team that’s very good, elite even on their best nights, but one that hasn’t quite found the week-in, week-out dominance needed to claim the top spot. They’ve got the offensive firepower, ranked in the top 10 nationally in adjusted efficiency, but those two road losses—the kind of gritty, physical games that define championships—still linger on the resume.

Thinking about their position got me reflecting on a broader theme in sports: roster construction and eligibility. It’s something that transcends college basketball. Just look at the international scene. I was recently reading about the Philippine national team, Gilas Pilipinas, and a significant shift in their competitive landscape. For their upcoming Southeast Asian Games campaign, organizers have adopted a ‘passports-only’ eligibility rule for basketball. This fundamentally changes the game. Suddenly, Gilas can play naturalized players like Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame at the same time, and they have a wider pool of Fil-foreign players to select from, as only a valid Philippine passport is required, not the previous residential or lineage quotas that often tied their hands. This rule change isn’t just administrative; it’s a strategic earthquake, allowing them to build a more versatile and potentially dominant roster overnight.

That international example serves as a stark contrast to the rigid, carefully regulated world of NCAA roster management. Creighton’s coach, Greg McDermott, doesn’t have the luxury of suddenly fielding two “naturalized” stars. His roster is built through years of meticulous recruiting, player development, and navigating the transfer portal. Their standing in the conference is a direct result of that organic construction. The core of Ryan Kalkbrenner, Trey Alexander, and Baylor Scheierman has been together for years, developing a chemistry that you simply can’t buy. When they’re in sync, they’re a nightmare to defend. But the lack of depth, particularly a consistent, physical presence off the bench, has been exposed in those tough road environments. It’s the one piece that feels missing from a championship puzzle. I’ve always been a believer that a team’s ceiling in March is determined by its performance in February’s grind, and right now, that bench production is my biggest concern.

I spoke with a longtime analyst who covers the Big East, and he framed it perfectly. “Creighton is the team no one wants to draw in the NCAA tournament,” he told me. “Their offensive system is beautiful to watch and a horror to prepare for. But to win the Big East, you need to win the wars in the paint, and you need to get a couple of ugly wins when the shots aren’t falling. UConn has shown they can do that. Marquette has shown they can do that. Creighton is still proving it.” He pointed to their rebounding margin, a middling +2.5 in conference play, as the tell-tale stat. “You can’t be a frontrunner if you’re not controlling the glass. It’s that simple.” It’s a harsh but fair assessment. Their finesse is a strength until it becomes a weakness.

So, circling back to our central question: where does Creighton basketball stand in the latest conference rankings? They stand at a crossroads. The third-place standing is both a testament to their high floor and an indictment of their missed opportunities. They have the talent, without a doubt. What they need now, in my view, is a shift in identity. They need to find a way to import some of that Gilas Pilipinas mindset—not through rule changes, but through sheer will. They need to embrace a tougher, more adaptable style. The upcoming stretch against Providence and at Seton Hall are perfect opportunities. They’re not just games; they’re statements. If they can win those, especially the road game, by grinding and defending, I’ll start to believe they can chase down the leaders. If they rely solely on the three-point barrage and come up short, they’ll remain a fascinating, dangerous, but ultimately third-place team. The standings today are a snapshot. The next two weeks will be the developing film.