Midland University’s men’s basketball team will be in the national spotlight when it takes on Creighton University on Dec. 28 at 5 p.m. at the CHI Health Center Arena in Omaha. Fox Sports 1 will provide live coverage of the game to a national audience.

It will be the first meeting between the Division I Bluejays and the Warriors. The game will count as a regular season contest for Creighton and serve as an exhibition game for the Warriors.

“It’s once in a lifetime to get this opportunity,” said Midland University Coach Oliver Drake. “Creighton is one of the best programs in the country, and it’s something our guys will talk about for the rest of their lives.”

Midland will also square off against Division I foe University of Nebraska at Omaha in a Nov. 7 exhibition contest at Baxter Arena. Coach Drake said a conversation with Creighton Coach Greg McDermott made the MU-CU match-up a reality. “He sent me a text saying they were looking for a non-Division I team to add to their schedule. One thing led to another, and a few days later, a contract was signed,” he said.

A member of the Big East Conference, Creighton has established itself as one of the nation’s top programs over the past two decades. Under McDermott, the Jays have reached the NCAA Division I National Tournament five of the past eight years, along with two appearances in the National Invitation Tournament. Creighton went 20-15 during the 2018-19 season and reached the quarterfinals of the NIT. Last season, Creighton ranked eighth nationally in average home attendance, drawing nearly 16,000 fans per contest.

A match-up with a premier program on national television has Drake excited about the impact the contest will have on his program and Midland University. “Being on national television just adds to the experience. All of us are thankful to compete on the big stage. You may never get that opportunity again,” Drake said. “It’s another great way for us to represent Midland University. It’s a great opportunity for recruits and a chance to see Midland University in a different light. I’m not sure how many other NAIA programs across the country get a nationally televised game. It’s good for our alumni, our students, our players, and their families. We want our players to enjoy the experience and enjoy the competition.“