Creighton’s Historic Upset: Bluejays Soar Past No. 1 Kansas in Thrilling Fashion

In a season filled with anticipation and excitement, the Creighton Bluejays delivered one of the most unforgettable moments in their basketball history on Wednesday night. In front of a raucous, fired-up crowd at the CHI Health Center, Creighton stunned No. 1-ranked Kansas 76-63, handing the Jayhawks just their third-ever loss as the top-ranked team in the nation against an unranked opponent. The victory was a monumental achievement for the Bluejays, who have been on an impressive rise over the past few seasons and, on this night, proved that they are more than ready for the national spotlight.

A History of Close Calls with No. 1

For years, Creighton had played against some of the best teams in college basketball, but the Bluejays had struggled to pull off a victory against the top-ranked team in the land. In their first six matchups against No. 1 teams, all the games were lopsided losses. But things have clearly changed. The past 10 months have seen Creighton find a new level of dominance, with back-to-back blowout wins over top-ranked programs.

Just 10 months ago, in February, Creighton handed No. 1 UConn an 85-66 defeat, a game that would be the Huskies’ last loss before embarking on a 13-game winning streak that led them to their second straight national championship. Now, Creighton has taken down Kansas in similarly dominant fashion, a victory that will be remembered for its complete and fearless execution from start to finish.

Kalkbrenner Shines on the Big Stage

A key figure in both the UConn and Kansas wins was 7-foot-1 center Ryan Kalkbrenner. The Big East preseason player of the year was coming off an injury, but he was back to his dominant self in this game, scoring 17 points and controlling the paint against Kansas' big man, Hunter Dickinson. Kalkbrenner’s performance, highlighted by powerful dunks and a strong presence in the middle, was a testament to his talent and his resilience.

“Both those teams, UConn and Kansas, are elite, high-level programs,” Kalkbrenner said after the game. “We were able to execute the game plan in both games and played at a high level. You feel good about those wins.”

It wasn’t just Kalkbrenner who played a major role in the victory. The Bluejays were firing on all cylinders, with multiple players stepping up when needed. Pop Isaacs, a transfer from Texas Tech, was sensational. He hit 6 of 9 three-pointers and finished with a season-high 27 points. Isaacs’ ability to knock down shots from the perimeter and space the floor was critical in keeping Kansas on its heels all night.

"I saw the ball go through the basket," Isaacs said. "First shot went in. It felt good coming off my hands. I felt I had some really good looks tonight. Like coach says, I’m a really good shooter when I take the right shots, and I took the right shots tonight for the most part."

Kansas coach Bill Self also took note of Isaacs’ hot shooting. “Pop was great,” Self said. “We know Pop going back to when he was freaking 5 years old. I have known his dad forever and coached against him for the last two years at Tech. He was terrific tonight.”

A Resilient Team Performance

Despite missing practice time due to illness and injury, Creighton never wavered. Isaacs and point guard Steven Ashworth, who was dealing with soreness from an ankle sprain, fought through the adversity, while Kalkbrenner returned to full strength after sitting out the Bluejays' win against Notre Dame just a few days earlier.

Creighton’s chemistry and execution were on full display throughout the game. They never trailed and led by as many as 17 points at one point. The crowd, electric from the opening tip, grew louder with each made shot, particularly as Isaacs hit his threes and Kalkbrenner dunked lob passes from his teammates. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Bluejays had made their statement in front of an ecstatic home crowd.

Coach McDermott’s Moment of Redemption

For Creighton head coach Greg McDermott, the victory was particularly sweet. A native of Iowa, McDermott grew up watching Kansas basketball, and in his previous four years at Iowa State, he was unable to beat Bill Self’s Kansas teams, going 0-10 in those matchups.

“I’ve been watching Kansas basketball forever,” McDermott said after the win. “Back to coach [Roy] Williams and then coach Self, they’re one of the best. We had some close calls at Hilton [Coliseum] when I was at Iowa State where we walked out of Hilton disappointed we couldn’t get the job done against a good Kansas team. To finally beat them when they had a great team and they’re ranked No. 1 in the country, it’s great for our guys and great for our fans.”

It’s clear that McDermott, who has built Creighton into a perennial power in the Big East, had a personal stake in this victory. His team’s execution and mental toughness in this game showed just how far the program has come under his leadership. The Bluejays are no longer the underdogs—they are a force to be reckoned with.

Kansas Struggles

For Kansas, the loss was a tough one to swallow. The Jayhawks were coming off a strong start to the season, but their shooting was off in this one, as they finished with a 35.7% shooting percentage from the field. Dajuan Harris Jr. led Kansas with 15 points, while AJ Storr and Zeke Mayo added 12 each, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Bluejays’ offensive firepower and defensive intensity.

Bill Self’s squad simply couldn’t keep up with Creighton’s pace, and Kansas’ usual dominance on defense was absent on this night.

A Signature Win for Creighton

The win over Kansas is a defining moment for the Bluejays, who have been building something special over the last few seasons. With an experienced roster, a talented coach, and a culture of winning, Creighton is now one of the most dangerous teams in college basketball.

As McDermott’s squad continues to build momentum, one thing is certain: Creighton is here to stay, and they are capable of knocking off any team in the country. For the Bluejays, the sky's the limit. The victory over Kansas is just another step in their journey to becoming one of the most respected programs in the nation. With big games ahead, this win will serve as a reminder of what Creighton is capable of when they play their best basketball.

For the fans, students, and players alike, it was a night that will go down in history as one of the greatest moments in Creighton basketball. And for Coach McDermott, it was the culmination of years of hard work, determination, and belief. The Bluejays have arrived—and they’re not going anywhere.

Cameron Williams

DiSportsPhotoAgency

Senior Writer