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Funk, Creighton open season with great expectations

Nov 13, 2006 - 4:11 PM Miss Valley St (0-1) at No. 23 Creighton (0-0) 8:05 pm EST

OMAHA, Nebraska (Ticker) -- Creighton begins what it hopes will be the most prosperous season in school history Monday when the 23rd-ranked Blue Jays host Mississippi Valley State.

Creighton, which went 20-10 last season, is led by Nate Funk, an Honorable Mention All-American guard who was limited to six games last season due to a shoulder injury.

Funk is one of four returning starters for a team that finished third in the competitive Missouri Valley Conference a year ago.

Center Anthony Tolliver was named the MVC's Most Improved Player last season, when he averaged 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds. Nick Porter averaged 9.6 points and was honored with the conference's newcomer of the year.

Mississippi Valley State is coming off a 72-49 defeat against Mississippi on Friday despite nine points from Richard Cannon and eight from Tychicus Snow. The Delta Devils shot only 25 percent (14-of-55) and made just one 3-pointer.