Creighton's Doug McDermott an Iowa Star

Creighton’s Doug McDermott is an All-American.

Yet there is a sense that because the junior plays in the Midwest and the Missouri Valley Conference that he doesn’t receive proper recognition. Put the guy in the Big Ten or ACC and college basketball fans all around the USA would know about McDermott.

Creighton has always been a basketball school but McDermott’s feats have provided the Jays with greater creditability.

Friday night, McDermott tossed in 39 points to lead his team to a road victory over Missouri State. Creighton is ranked 13th in the country with a 16-1 record. McDermott has been productive since his freshman year and is currently averaging 23.6 points per game.

The interesting thing is McDermott was the second best player on his high school team at Ames, Iowa. Harrison Barnes was the poster boy and received all the national attention. Barnes went to North Carolina and played two seasons before turning pro. I contend that McDermott is a better college player than Barnes.

There are still some fans in Iowa upset that McDermott left the state. He was scheduled to play for Northern Iowa but was granted his release when his father, Greg, took the Creighton job. Creighton and Northern Iowa are fierce rivals in the Missouri Valley. Greg McDermott was a former player and coach at Northern Iowa.

But regardless of where Doug McDermott plays, Iowans can celebrate the accomplishments of this All-American. The terms Iowan and All-American are a rare occurrence.

Creighton's Doug McDermott Makes a Name

Quick question: who is one of the most celebrated college players this past season to not declare for the NBA Draft?

If you answered Creighton’s Doug McDermott, then you know your college basketball.

Talk about a guy with rising stock. Who could have predicted that this Ames, Iowa high school player would become a nationally talked about player in just two seasons?

McDermott was a solid high player but played second fiddle to Harrison Barnes. Barnes was the best high school player two years ago and headed to North Carolina. McDermott’s college destination was mid-major Northern Iowa. He was to play for Ben Jacobson a former assistant under his dad, Greg, with the Panthers.

But then there was major change in the McDermott family. Greg McDermott was under pressure as coach at Iowa State. With his shaky position there, Greg probably didn’t want his son, Doug, playing for him with the almost certain possibility of Greg’s firing. But then Creighton rescued the elder McDermott and gave him a 10-year contract.

Doug then asked out of his scholarship commitment to Northern Iowa so he could indeed play for his dad at Creighton. Jacobson graciously allowed the father and son to reunite.

It was a match made in Creighton blue.

Doug McDermott had a solid freshman year and then soared this past season. He averaged 22.9 points per game and grabbed 8.2 rebounds. He was the Missouri Valley Conference Most Valuable Player. He also was selected first-team All-American by both the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the Associated Press. He also helped his team to the third round in the NCAA tournament.

Arguably, McDermott has had a better college career than Barnes. Barnes declared for the NBA draft last month so his college career is over.

Funny, how things sometimes work out in life. For Doug McDermott, funny is termed beautiful.

Basketball on a Ship II

Last April, I wrote a blog about North Carolina and Michigan State playing basketball on a carrier ship. Tonight, the game becomes a reality.

I think it’s a unique and great way to honor veterans on Veteran’s Day.

These are two historic programs and a great way to kick off the college basketball season. Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson will be in attendance. The two starred at North Carolina and Michigan State respectively.

Of course, we Iowans will pay close attention to North Carolina sophomore Harrison Barnes. The Iowa native had a productive first season for the Tar Heels and is posed for a banner second-year campaign. It will be interesting to see how far he can elevate his game.

The college sports world really needs this contest at this time. With the fallout at Penn State, it’s great that this game will steal some coverage from that ugly mess. For a while anyway, we can focus on the true spirit of competition and receive North Carolina against Michigan State too. It will be a special night.


I want to say thank-you to all the veterans on Veteran’s Day. We are honored and certainly blessed by your service. My dad served in Germany in World War II. I remember him on this day too.

Harrison Barnes' Decision

I was already this morning to write about North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes not making a decision about the NBA yet. And then I find out he made his decision.

The folks in Carolina can rest easy. Barnes is returning for season No. 2 in Chapel Hill.

I was somewhat puzzled that Barnes was taking his time with the decision. Two of his high profile teammates, Tyler Zeller and John Henson, had already decided to stay in school. I thought that might have an impact on Barnes’ choice.

So the family will stay together at least one more season.

Barnes may have been scared off by the potential NBA lockout. If he would have gone to the pros and there was a work stoppage, Barnes would have been stuck. Now, he can play ball and allow the NBA to work out its issues.

Barnes is a talented player obviously, but his game can use development. He can grow his game in college, enjoy his teammates and the entire college experience. This is a win-win situation for Barnes.

And a win-win for Carolina. Coach Roy Williams’ group should be a major factor next season with three outstanding returning players and the usual top-notch incoming freshmen talent.

Harrison Barnes and Fred Hoiberg

Allow me to dream a little bit today.

Would Ames High School star player Harrison Barnes said no to Iowa State if Fred Hoiberg was the coach when Barnes made his decision to attend North Carolina?

They say timing in life is everything.

Barnes was the most celebrated high school player in the country last year. His final schools were North Carolina, Duke, Iowa State and a couple others. Well, you knew he wasn’t going to Iowa State with Duke and North Carolina in the mix. Iowa State’s program was also in turmoil with player departures and coach Greg McDermott’s poor record.

McDermott left when Creighton called. Hoiberg was hired too late to give his sales pitch to Barnes.

But can you imagine the sales pitch “Mayor” Hoiberg could have given this guy? North Carolina coach Roy Williams would have been shaking in his Michael Jordan Nikes.

It could have been a beautiful marriage between Hoiberg and Barnes. Think of the focus from the national press on Iowa State’s program: former hometown star coaches another hometown star.

But the dream is over. Barnes is doing well in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Hoiberg has had a rough season at Iowa State, but with some talented players coming in next season, the Mayor’s stock is still rising.

Roy Williams and Harrison Barnes

After watching some of the North Carolina-Duke game last night, I began to reflect on the relationship between Roy Williams and Harrison Barnes.

Coach Williams landed the celebrated recruit from Ames, Iowa high school last year. Ames is only about 70 miles from my home.

Color broadcaster Dick Vitale was talking about Barnes and his hometown last night.

Barnes could have gone anywhere in the basketball universe but apparently developed a deep relationship with Williams. Williams knows the state of Iowa well. He grabbed two stellar athletes from our state when he was coaching Kansas. One guy jokingly said that ‘ole Roy’ should pay Iowa state income tax.

Barnes has had mega pressure on him this season. He was the first freshman ever to be named a preseason All-American. So when Superman came in and didn’t dominant, the questions were flying. But Barnes is picking his game up and playing like the preseason hype.

I wonder what impact Williams has had on Barnes’ improved play. Did the coach give him the tough love speech or did he use the positive reinforcement approach?

Maybe some of both.

You can bet Williams didn’t gush over Barnes like he did during the recruiting process. But it looks like Barnes, Williams and North Carolina will be just fine.

College Basketball Galore

If you are a college hoops fan, forget you are in preseason training and grab the remote. The basketball season is here in earnest.

ESPN started the glut of TV games earlier in the week. The sports giant featured games over a 25-hour period. Now, ESPN is a major player in showing holiday tournament games as well.

You definitely need a well-defined schedule to know who is playing, when and what channel. Yesterday, I wanted to watch Harrison Barnes and North Carolina play Hofstra. I turned to the basic ESPN. Wrong. I found it over on ESPN2.

I don’t remember when this sea of games on TV the week before Thanksgiving started, but this appears a win-win situation. Fans actually can watch some interesting match ups instead of seeing their team play some lower Division I school. TV receives advertising and viewers. Teams can visit some interesting places and put it on their recruiting pieces. Announcers can warm up for the conference season.

But college basketball fans, a bit of warning. Pace yourself. It’s a long season. You don’t want to peak too early.

Enjoy the games!

Harrison Barnes: Preseason All-American

Freshman Harrison Barnes hasn’t even played a game for North Carolina and he is already gaining honors.

Barnes was named to the Associated Press Preseason All-America Team recently.

Barnes is probably the most celebrated player ever to come out of the state of Iowa. Barnes prepped at Ames High School and averaged 19.7 points per game and 8.8 rebounds last year in leading the Little Cyclones to another state title.

I watched Barnes’ press conference when he selected North Carolina. It was a big production. Iowa State, located in Ames, was also a finalist, but the Cyclone fans knew that was a long shot. It’s pretty tough to say no to the elite programs in America when EVERYBODY wants your services.

But we Iowans will still watch Barnes’ career closely.

We have been hearing about this guy in Iowa for years. I have watched him played on TV. It was like wow—what a player. He’s 6-8, quick and can jump. He was rated the No. 1 high school player in the country last season.

But he still needs to perform in college. And apparently people are firmly convinced he will. At least the AP voters are.

The Tar Heels need Barnes. North Carolina was an average team last year. North Carolina doesn’t do average. It plays for national championships. Coach Roy Williams wants Barnes to help the Tar Heels return to the top of the ladder. Ole’ Roy loves cutting those nets down.

Based on his potential, Barnes might just give Williams his wish.

Barnes is an Outstanding Basketball Player

Folks across the country will enjoy watching Harrison Barnes play basketball at the University of North Carolina next season.

Barnes, a 6-7 wing talent, helped Ames, Iowa High School in crushing about every opponent the Little Cyclones faced the last couple seasons. When opponents played Ames (and battled Barnes), it was basically a question how large the Little Cyclones' victory margin would become.

Barnes can play anywhere on the floor: guard, forward or center. The guy has a great first step. He is fluid. He can rise and dunk. The potential seems unlimited.

Barnes will have his defensive game questioned in college. But most high school stars must focus more on that part of the game at the next level because they aren't forced to do it in high school. North Carolina Coach Roy Williams will definitely demand it and I'm sure Barnes will respond to the challenge.

Barnes is the most celebrated boy's basketball player in the state of Iowa. This guy is a game changer. When people watch him they will discover why.

Look for Barnes to provide a major positive influence on the Tar Heels next season.
Williams certainly hopes Barnes becomes a vital ingredient in bringing North Carolina back to the top of the college basketball world again.

Are you looking forward to Barnes' career at North Carolina?