casualbil

THJ on DaGuys STL roster in TBT. Round 1 game 4pm CT vs Red Scare (Dayton Alumni).

I'm a alumnus ('83) and follow this board all the time and appreciate the wisdom of the regular participants (WIZ, you're the best!). I haven't logged in for well over 10 years. I've never been more PO'd than I am this year. One of the best teams we've had in my lifetime and a goofy virus (COVID) and a persistent virus (NCAA) relegates us to the infamous NIT. I'll watch and hope they win the damned thing, but I am truly upset.

I read this board fairly often but rarely post. In fact it's been probably 6-7 years (maybe longer) since I used this login (surprised it still works). Walking to the car and discussing the current state of affairs with my kids, a lady overheard our conversation and said she agreed with my assessment that JC has lost this team and a change is needed. We talked a little and I made a comment to her that I remember the Ron Ekker years. Then I read the board tonight and see Roy's comment. I graduated in 1983. Looks like I got on the wrong time machine!

>but leverette was better in most statistical categories and >led his team to 2nd place at state in illinois, which is >always loaded with talent. I think overall Lacey was the better player. But in the end O'Fallon was the better team. Although Leverette is talented, I would disagree that he "led" them to 2nd place. Throughout the tournament there was a different hero every night. Jared Woolfolk played a big part getting the Panthers through the regionals and sectionals, and Brad Copelin was huge in Peoria, gaining first-team all-tournament honors. O'Fallon's bench had a few key players that contributed along the way also. Overall, it was a great run when everything gelled at the right time.

No embarrassment for O'Fallon. Sure they lost by 23, but Simeon's average margin of victory through the IHSA playoffs was 26 points. Doesn't make the defeat any less painful, but no one expected O'Fallon to advance as far as they did, and Simeon is indeed a good, if not great, team. Congrats to the O'Fallon Panthers! They put all they had together at the right time to make a great run.

Copelin might top out better than the 6' 7" he's listed at. He's developed well despite missing his JR year with the injury. His FT touch really came around in the last half of this year, and he has developed a decent outside shot. But much needs to be refined and a couple of JUCO years might be beneficial. But I think his best years could still be ahead. Despite a great year, the final against Simeon was tough for O'Fallon. They have not met a team of that caliber (which could be said of almost any team that played Simeon). The Chicago Tribune on their website have already anointed this Simeon team the best to ever come out of the Chicago Public League. They were the whole package, no doubt.

Thanks all. I didn't realize Charter carried more than mens B-Ball, so I can see how Charter is a good deal for SLU. I guess I'll just continue scanning the radio dial on game nights. Actually with my schedule I usually catch games on the radio vs. TV. But when I do get an opportunity to watch a game, it's disappointing to find out it's on Charter and I can't watch it anyway. Sigh... oh well.

Why are the TV games broadcast primarily on Charter Cable vs. another outlet (i.e. KPLR)? I beleive in the past KPLR was a player. Many locals (self incl.) have opted for satellite service over cable. Today (as in times past) I searched valiantly for an "alternate" channel on the dish for the game but struck out. If you're not on Charter, you might as well give up being a SLU fan. Granted, Charter is a local corporation with a big market. But like it or not, SLU has an image issue when pitted against the local Mizzou and Illini crowd. SLU is the "local" D-1 product, and as such, should "demand" a local outlet that reaches EVERYONE within 50 miles. Mizzou draws from StL and other parts of Missouri, and the Illini draw from the local area but also from central and upstate Illinois. SLU's radius of influence is considerbly smaller than the other big players. They need to protect the demographic radius that they draw from. And please don't get me started on radio. Although KMOX owns the rights to Billikens basketball, they won't hesitate then pawn them off to a "lesser" signal when ever they see fit, and this just doesn't sit well with me. The Athletic Dept. is doing good things to improve the program and image (the move to the A-10, the new on-campus arena, etc.) And I really beleive in Coach Soderberg and think he could establish himself as one of the great Billiken coaches of all time. But the bottom line is you NEED to reach out to casual fans and and potential NEW fans. How does the AD expect locals to know who SLU is if you have to search through secondary and tertiary media outlets to find them. Sorry if I'm ranting. But I've read in a number of posts here and elsewhere where the Billikens are looked upon as a "second-class" program. Doug Woolard and the Athletic Dept. need to find local "free" outlets that are 100% dedicated to the Billikens. Sure it might mean we go to a limited "nighttime" signal station. But when you consider the "core" SLU following, a signal that covers a 50-mile radius with a strong daytime/nighttime signal may all you need. Add in live webcasts and you'll likely have most hard-nosed SLU fans. With apologies to Dennis Miller... that's just my opinion, I could be wrong...