Quote:* Indiana State lost at home to Missouri State to drop to 1-3 in conference play. The Sycamores have a nice nonconference win at Vandy, but they'll have to win the Valley tournament again to get back to the NCAAs. The 3-1 Bears, meanwhile, look like they have staying power in the MVC race.

Quote:* The same goes for Doug McDermott and Creighton. The sophomore star scored a career-high 44 points in a 92-83 win at Bradley. The Bluejays have recovered nicely from that surprising home loss to Missouri State to open Valley play.

Quote:McDermott fever taking over Omaha

Doug McDermott scored a career-high 44 points in Creighton’s 92-83 win against Bradley on Saturday. It’s the sixth-most points in a game in school history, and the most since Benoit Benjamin’s 45 in January 1985. It passed IUPUI’s Alex Young and his 43-point effort against Western Kentucky for the most points in a game this season. He’s one of only four players to top 40 points this season.

McDermott, who had 31 in the second half alone, went 18-for-23 from the field. That 78.3 field goal percentage is the highest for a player who attempted at least 20 shots since Reggie Williams (86.4) for VMI in January 2008.

Quote:Doug McDermott – America will soon fall for Creighton’s star. He scored 44 points in a win at Bradley on Saturday. And he’s No. 2 in the country with 25.2 ppg. Plus, he’s averaging 8.3 rpg and shooting 86 percent from the free throw line. But big numbers don’t guarantee elevation to the main stage. McDermott’s tale, however, should. In high school, he was known as Harrison Barnes’ teammate. Then, he joined his father’s collegiate program and Pops told him that he’d probably redshirt his freshman year. A few guys get hurt, McDermott gets a shot, and by the end of the season he’s All-MVC. This season, he’s led Creighton to a national ranking and the spotlight that comes with it. His first name is ordinary. But his game isn’t. FYI: The bandwagon is filling up.