The San Jose State Spartans kick off their 2011 postseason dreams as they travel to Nebraska face Creighton tonight in the first round of the 2011 College Basketball invitational I’ve posted the schedule of first round games below, but you can also view the 2011 CBI Bracket in printable form (PDF).
San Jose State finished 17-15, which was actually its most successful basketball season since 1981 when the Spartans went 21-9 and played in the NIT. They face a Creighton squad that finished 19-14 and is playing in its 14th consecutive postseason tournament. If Creighton defeats San Jose State they would reach 20 wins for the 12th time in 13 years, a feat never accomplished by a Missouri Valley Conference school.
SJSU is led by Adrian Oliver who was third in the country in scoring with 24.3 points per game. He trailed only BYU’s Jimmer Fredette and Providence’s Marshon Brooks. The 6’4 guard was also second on the team in rebounding with 5.5 per game. He is supported by Justin Graham (14.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.4 APG), Keith Shamburger (12.0 PPG), and leading rebounder Will Carter (9.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG).
Creighton is led on the inside by forward Doug McDermott who averaged 14.2 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game. Antoine Young was their second leading scorer with 13.4 points per game. The Blue Jays get big rebounding help from Gregory Echenique (5.8 RPG) and Kenny Lawson, Jr. (5.6 RPG). Creighton is currently a 10 1/2 point favorite.
2011 CBI First Round Matchups
3/15/11 – James Madison @ Davidson
3/15/11 – Hofstra @ Evansville
3/15/11 – San Jose State @ Creighton
3/15/11 – Austin Peay @ Boise State
3/16/11 – Miami (Ohio) @ Rhode Island
3/16/11 – St. Bonaventure @ UCF
3/16/11 – Duquesne @ Montana
3/16/11 – Weber State @ Oregon