As you may recall, Creighton freshman guard Andrew Merfeld, our guide through the Bluejays’ NCAA Tournament run, closed out his senior year at Skutt Catholic High School winning both a football and basketball state title.
 
But nothing, not even playing on those undefeated Skutt teams, could measure up to the minute or so of action Andrew saw at the end of Creighton’s 72-58 thumping of Ohio U in its second-round NCAA Tournament game last weekend. As the final seconds ticked away, there was No. 12 in your program dribbling out some of that final minute as the Bluejays were about to celebrate their first trip to the Sweet 16.
 
“It was awesome going into the game,” Andrew said. “I didn’t expect to go in at all. I thought it would be a close game. So to be able to get out there and get a few minutes was a real special opportunity. It was a special moment and something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
 
Shortly after the final horn, Andrew and the rest of his Bluejays’ teammates armed themselves with water bottles and took their positions in the winning locker room, preparing to unleash a fitting postgame celebration.
 
“It was crazy. We all picked up some water bottles and just waited for Coach (Greg) McDermott to walk in,” Andrew said. “And once he walked in we sprayed him with the water and everyone was jumping up and down. It was an awesome moment and something I’ll never forget.
 
The Creighton tradition of featuring one player as a postgame dancer was scuttled last weekend as the rules went out the window. After Christian Bishop handled the dancing duties following the Jays’ first-round win over UC-Santa Barbara, everyone got in on the act this time around. Well, almost everyone.
 
“It was a collective group. Everyone just did their own thing,” Andrew said. “I did not (dance). I didn’t want to embarrass myself again.”
 
While such an enormous victory for the Creighton program would have been met by legions of fans and  family upon the Jays arrival back home in Omaha, thanks to Covid, the Jays went nowhere, remaining in Indianapolis. So no airport celebrations, no throngs of Bluejay Nation meeting them back on campus. No proclamations from Nebraska governor Pete Ricketts announcing Creighton Bluejay Day across the state. 
 
“We just stayed in Indy. We’ve been here for two weeks now,” Andrew said. “With classes it’s sometimes hard to stay focused because sometimes we have to miss class for practice. And we’re obviously missing the social aspect of college. But at the end of the day, Covid is bigger than those types of deals. It’s a safety precaution for us to be in this bubble. It’s definitely worth it.”
 
That’s not to say there haven’t been endless texts and phone calls sending congratulatory messages to the Jays.
 
“A bunch of my friends from high school, they’re all big Creighton fans, and they were all texting me after the game,” Andrew said. “I also heard from my old high school coaches and family and friends just sending their congratulations to me.”
 
So you’re now you’re a celebrity? Sort of like a Kardashian of Omaha?
 
“Not really. I wish I could say so,” Andrew said laughing.
 
Before the Ohio game, Creighton had been 0-for-8 in Round of 32 games. So how sweet was it to finally break through and reach the Sweet 16?
 
“It’s definitely something special,” Andrew said. “I’ve been around this program about 10 years now with my family (dad, Steve, is a long-time Creighton assistant coach) and I remember all those Round of 32 games and Round of 64 games where they would just come up short. So to be able to be on the team this year that gets past that barrier is a great feat for my family.”
 
You know, lots of those TV talking heads were picking Ohio, calling them a very live underdog. What did you guys think of that?
 
“We’ve heard of people saying, and even in the UC-Santa Barbara game, they were doubting us,” Andrew said. “So we like that fire when people are doubting us. I think it really puts a chip on our shoulders and gets everybody going. So that kind of fueled the fire for the first game and the Ohio game, obviously.”
 
OK, so now comes Gonzaga, the team most “experts” have already crowned the NCAA champion. It’s not exactly a David vs. Goliath situation, is it?
 
“I like our matchup. I think it’s going to be a really fast-paced game, but I really think we can get it done,” Andrew said. “Obviously they’re a very good team, they’re very talented, but I like our guys. I like our athleticism against theirs but I guess we’ll just have to wait until Sunday to see. But I really like the matchup.”
 
Is all the pressure on the Zags here?
 
“Yeah definitely. It’s all on them,” Andrew said. “They’re pretty desperate (to win) so we just have to match that.”
 
How cool is it to get a shot at the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament?
 
“I think it will bring a lot of attention to our program and hopefully we can show people what we’re about,” he said.
 
And if Creighton silences the doubters again Sunday, if the Jays take down Gonzaga in what would be the biggest upset in a tournament filled with them, might there be bigger post game celebrations? Campus pandemonium? Maybe keys to the city of Omaha for the triumphant Bluejays? 
 
“I hope so,” Andrew said laughing. “I hope that’s the case. I’ll have to talk to coach Mac about getting things figured out. (But) we’re very anxious to play. We’ve all been talking that we want to get this game going. It’s been about a week off so we’re really anxious to get back on the court and play Gonzaga.”
 
The Bluejays will meet Gonzaga Sunday afternoon at 2:10 p.m. Eastern Time on CBS.