Better know a transfer: Marcus Foster

Following the exit of Doug McDermott just two years ago, Creighton has struggled to find consistent wins. With the advent of Boston University transfer last year, Maurice Watson Jr., the Bluejays have a hope for the upcoming season. With the return of the three of their top four scorers, fans in Nebraska are hoping for a serious improvement from their quarterfinal NIT loss.

Yet, this hope is not simply based around the return of starters, Kansas State University transfer Marcus Foster hypothetically adds a scoring boost to the Bluejay back court. While Watson has the ability to score at a high level, his natural instinct is to be a provider.

Foster is what Creighton lacks. He is a true scoring guard who steps out onto the court with the same mindset every single game: putting the basketball through the orange cylinder. A solid but not great outside shooter (34.7% from deep in 2014-2015), he sometimes tends to take too many shots from beyond the arc, rather than spreading the ball around (less than 3 assists per game sophomore season).

With Watson already established as the primary ball handler, Foster would be used off the ball and as their primary offensive option. From coming around down screens to open jump shots to isolating on-ball defenders in order too free up perimeter shooters like Isaiah Zierden.

Although, while the offensive upside is obvious, there may be struggles on the defensive end with both Foster and Watson in the backcourt. Foster, at 6’3, was solid but not dominant while guarding other team’s point guards. Now, with the smaller Watson already etched into the role of defending the other team’s point guard, the former Kansas state guard may disappoint whilst guarding the prototypical shooting guard.

Another concern regarding Foster is the peculiarity of his transfer from Kansas State. Foster was suspended multiple times by head coach Bruce Weber for “violating team rules.” It is still unknown to the public what exact rule Foster broke.

Even considering his history of strife with Weber, Foster offers serious scoring upside to the Bluejays. Assuming he starts at the second guard position, the backcourt of Creighton may be able to propel them towards an NCAA tournament birth.