Former Creighton guard Nembhard talks potential Elite 8 matchup with Bluejays

DETROIT, MI (WOWT) - For a second-straight season, Ryan Nembhard is with Creighton at the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. This time, the current Gonzaga Bulldog will see his old team in passing, and potentially on the court Sunday in the Elite 8.

But the former Bluejays point guard says his full attention is on Friday’s matchup with No. 1 seeded Purdue in the Sweet 16.

“We’ve got Purdue to focus on, they’re on of the best teams in the country,” he said Thursday in Detroit. “We’re trying to tackle that first and if we get to Sunday, we’ll figure it out when we do.”

After falling a handcheck foul short of a Final Four last season, Nembhard entered the transfer portal and ultimately committed to Gonzaga last April. Nembhard said he remains close to his former roommate in Trey Alexander.

“He’s one of my best friends,” he said. “We’re always on FaceTime, we’re always chopping it up, he’s going to be my good friend forever. I love that guy.”

A lot would need to break right for the Elite 8 reunion to take place, with both Creighton and Gonzaga entering as the underdogs in their respective Sweet 16 matchups. Nembhard said he is prepared for the possibility of facing Creighton.

“It would be cool, obviously they’re trying to get to a Final Four. I know that’s their goal,” he said. “I’m going out there looking at it like a regular game. At that point, there’s no friends, we’re just looking to advance to a Final Four.”

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