Alex O’Connell Update

Alex O’Connell left Duke for Creighton after last season. We never really saw a great explanation for his move but part of it was bound to be playing time. Like all transfers, he got a waiver and has been playing since December 16th.

So while there were probably more than one reason for his transfer, how has basketball worked out so far?

On a statistical basis through seven games, it’s pretty much a wash. Last season at Duke he averaged 13.3 mpg. His shooting is better - he’s gone from 40.5 overall at Duke to 50.0 percent for the Blue Jays. And his threes have shot up from 27.3 percent at Duke to 45.5 percent for Creighton although he’s only taken 11 threes so far.

Free throws? He’s only taken three and missed two so you can’t glean much from that.

Rebounds are higher - 3.3 to 2.2 - but assists, steals and blocks are all down. Scoring is too, barely, from 5.2 to 5.1.

It’s not entirely a fair comparison of course. O’Connell played in 101 games at Duke and 11 so far at Creighton. And this is a bizarre season and his plans changed rather quickly when he became immediately eligible rather than waiting for next season.

Still, at least in basketball terms, his transfer so far is basically a wash, although Creighton is certainly having a better season so far than is Duke.

But as we say, there could be any number of other reasons why he decided to leave other than simply basketball.

Whatever his reasons, we wish him the best as his Creighton career builds up steam.