Saint Louis Billikens
Atlantic 10 (26-6, 13-3)
The expectations were quite high for Saint Louis heading into the 2013-2014 campaign, but they exceeded those expectations and then some. The Billikens cruised through non-conference play, only losing to Wisconsin and Wichita State. After that many figured Coach Jim Crews and company would at least have a half a dozen losses or so in the extremely difficult A-10. But the Billikens ended up going 13-3 in conference play.
Big Wins: 2/15 VCU (64-62), 2/22 George Washington (66-59), 3/9 at Massachusetts (64-62)
Bad Losses: 2/27 Duquesne (64-71), 3/5 Dayton (67-72), 3/14 vs St. Bonaventure (68-71)
Coach: Jim Crews (2 seasons at Saint Louis)
Why They Can Surprise:
As usual, this team is all about defense. The squad allowed a mere 60.9 points per game. They held the opposition to just 39.6 percent shooting from the floor and an amazing 27.5 percent from beyond the arc. However, it is not like Saint Louis refuses to take defensive risks. They average about eight steals per game. Jordair Jett, Mike McCall, Dwayne Evans and Rob Loe all average about one steal per contest. And that senior quartet also leads Saint Louis in the scoring department. Jett makes the offense tick. For the most part he does a great job keeping his team under control. Evans is the other superstar. The 6-6 forward can attack the basket with ease and led the Billikens in scoring and rebounding…again. Loe is a big man who can block some shots, but on the other end of the floor he does a great job stretching out the defense.
Why They Can Disappoint:
This is a team that can spark their offense with their defense, but if that is not happening, Saint Louis could be in trouble. Evans and Jett can make things happen, but neither of them are shooters. Loe has had some hot shooting streaks, especially in February, but he still shot just 29.1 percent from beyond the arc. Reserve guard Austin McBroom has been the most prolific and consistent shooter on the team, while starter Jake Barnett can knock a few down too. When Saint Louis is not tallying too many steals, or those steals are not leading to easy buckets, the offense can be stagnant for large stretches. Most of the time that does not matter though as the defense keeps Saint Louis in the game. In the NCAA Tournament though, the competition gets tougher and tougher.
Probable Starters:
Jordair Jett, Senior, Guard, 13.7 ppg, 4.8 apg
Mike McCall, Senior, Guard, 9.9 ppg, 2.3 apg
Jake Barnett, Senior, Forward, 4.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg
Dwayne Evans, Senior, Forward, 14.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg
Rob Loe, Senior, Forward, 9.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.3 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Grandy Glaze, Junior, Forward, 4.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg
John Manning, Junior, Center, 2.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.1 rpg
Austin McBroom, Sophomore, Guard, 7.7 ppg, 1.8 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 70.1 (201sth in nation, 9th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 60.9 (15, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.3 (171, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.6 (21, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.6 (239, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 31.8 (267, 9)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.9 (141, 5)
Rebound Margin: 1.6 (140, 7)
Assists Per Game: 14.2 (67, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.6 (205, 8)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 NCAA Second Round win over New Mexico State
2013 NCAA Third Round loss to Oregon
2012 NCAA Second Round win over Memphis
2012 NCAA Third Round loss to Michigan State
2010 CBI First Round win over Indiana State
2010 CBI Second Round win over Green Bay
2010 CBI Semifinal win over Princeton
2010 CBI Final loss to Virginia Commonwealth
2004 NIT First Round win over Iowa
2004 NIT Second Round loss to Notre Dame
2003 NIT First Round loss to Minnesota
2000 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Utah
1998 NCAA Round of 64 win over Massachusetts
1998 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Kentucky
*all team stats through 3/9
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
