I have already reached out to a couple of people in the SLU Athletics staff, but I want to say it to your face (sorta).
SLU has the best fans I have ever seen.
I really do mean that. I have been everywhere to see the Tops. SIU, MTSU, Marshall, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisville, UALR, Birmingham, LSU, Vanderbilt, Belmont and others. I have never been treated such a way.
I am a student, and I get the impression that some people are put off by a young and exuberant away fan.
I have been heckled, called horrendous things, harassed, and even attacked and had my property vandalized.
I was fortunate to get front row seating for myself and my sister. We happened to be in front of some SLU fans. Through the course of the game I can be loud and I stand, a lot. I try to be considerate, but the game just gets to me. They never complained. We carried a wonderful conversation throughout the game. Everything was admirable.
Not only is your interaction with opposing fans pure class, your students were well above board on the day. You fans are incredibly intelligent about basketball. You knew how and when to influence the game better than any school that I have ever seen, even better than WKU at times. You have a mesmerizing pep band, a beautiful facility, a gorgeous campus, and a fine city to be proud of.
You also have some wonderful smoked ribs from "Pappy's".
You also have one HECK of a basketball team. That was absolutely one of the top Women's games of the year, shame it wasn't on TV for everyone to see. You have a great set of girls and that was an amazing competition.
I will try to not become impassioned, as I mean no disrespect in any of the following.
Our CPoY Kendall Noble is our defacto PG (along with point-forward Tashia Brown). She took the inbound pass on the final play. Sidnee is a freshman, and at 5-6 the shortest player on the team. I looked to my sister and told her: "Sidnee hasn't scored. She is matched up with SLU #3 and is the best height match-up on the floor. If she has an inch we need to go to her." As Tashia Brown cut through the paint #3 dropped in to cover, leaving Sidnee wide open.
The smart move from SLU was to force Bopp into a shot. Someone should have pressured her, sure.But with tired legs of a short bench, defensively, that is what you look for (IMO).
I was behind the WKU bench, and could not see as well as other maybe did. The block near the end of regulation looked really good for me. The ref that called it was in the Center or Trail spot, across from the drive. I just am not sure that is his call. I can't say for sure though. The blame was off the officials when we failed to secure the basketball on two loose ball situations, before SLU took the lead. Then just an absolute dandy (or heart breaker) of a shot for a young player. (On a side note Sidnee Bopp's hometown in Arkansas is closer to StL than BG, and she had more than two dozen family and friends in attendance.)
We are currently playing with 8 players, as we have an injury (Michah Jones, pg), two (maybe a third) transfers sitting out, and a player taking time away from the team for personal reasons. Next season we only lose Jaylyn McLain, and have a good looking class coming in.
I will wrap this up by saying I think it is a crying shame that SLU and WKU don't play more often. I would be thrilled to welcome you to Bowling Green. Our men's sides haven't played since "89 (only 4 meetings). Our lone tilt on the women's side was in '90-'91. I would welcome the oppurtunity to come back to StL for another weekend as well. Best wishes, Go Tops, and Go Bilikens.