slu72

I'm not really sure you can blame it on Spoon. The rumors on this board were that Spoon was getting nickled and dimed to death after Yow left. Others more in the know can comment on that. I think it was the admin more than anything. Spoon built a great following and the Bills had about the 7th highest attendance rating in college hoops. The mystery is why didn't the admin support the program in a way that would keep that momentum rolling? Spoon pulled in fans off the street who had nothing to do w/ SLU. But they liked spoonball and they came. Then they stopped. Romar didn't bring 'em back. UB didn't bring 'em back. And quite honestly, RM hasn't brought 'em back... yet. Hopefully, the success we had this season will carry over and a Bills seat becomes one of St. Louis' rare sports gems. The Arena commitment is what really turned the tables. Finally, the BB light went on in the Admin's head, as in, "Hey, look's what's happening at Marquette, Zaga, X, Butler et al. More apps, better students, better geographics, more $ for their AD's, more exposure on a national stage, etc. We didn't get any of those benefits when we put in all those statues." Luckily, it didn't stop with brick and mortar. We brought in RM, and, finally, in year 5 we're suddenly knocking on Heaven's door. We're not in yet, but at least we're in the right neighborhood. Agreed, Taj Mahal 79, RM's the draw right now. But given his health history, it's imperative that someone on his staff could continue to carry this forward, ala X and the Zags. We don't want to branded as the school where Rick Majerus coaches, we want our brand to be known simply as Saint Louis University.

My worst hotel/motel experience was in NYC or more precisely Yonkers, NY. Went for a Giants game at the same time NY was hosting some awards show. Everything was filled. The motel in Yonkers should have been called the Sleep and F&*^. We left after two hours after hearing some really strange screams from the room above us. Great story, Jbizzle. Great meeting you and the little lady.

KM was the undisputed leader his SO year. I think coming off the you know what and the fact that BC and KC were seniors who were driven to make the dance, he deferred to them. He's already stated that's his goal over the summer, to stop being Mr. Nice guy and spur these guys on to another dance and a deep run. These guys will feed off this experience and their work ethic will improve over the summer. It was good to play the Sparty's because now they know they're not that far away from what it takes to compete at this level.

Doubt Mizzery's in our future anytime soon. They're losing a lot this year, while we're kind of just adding a few pieces thru promotion (JM and GG) and newbies. Haith lucked out with the talent Anderson left him and also lucked his way into a national coach of the year award. Forget him and screw 'em. Hopefully, we'll have some RPI builders on the sched next year that will boost our seed. When you look back on the seeding this year, we were really unlucky. Not sure we were much better than an 8 or a 9, but we sure got put in the toughest regional against the toughest #8 and possibly the national champs. As Berman says, MSU could go alllll the way.

Not connected at all. Just thanked him for all he's done. He was a very gracious guy and said, we're gonna keep this going. I think it's tremendous the Bills have finally found a benefactor, like most schools have, who happens to love BB like we all do.

I may be wrong, but isn't UMass pretty young? Kellog had them playing well, especially against us.

Ok, Taj Mahal, not literally runs the program. But the guys got some clout and say. I got the feeling he very much wants to build on this success.

We're gonna be ranked in the top 10 next year. 28-3 reg season record.

Great to meet you eastside, or should I say catch up with you again after 40 years? The spirit in Columbus was wild. I just hope someone reported back to Fr. B what a success it all was so he doesn't get in the Dr.'s way to run this program the way it should be run.

I spoke briefly with the good Dr. and the best comment he made was this is only going to get better in the years to come. RM will finish his career at SLU. Take it to the bank.

RM called next year's fr PG Carter the best he's had. We'll have to wait and see if he has KM's leadership and desire to want the ball at crunch time.

At dinner last night a couple of my friend's friends, who attended the game, were first impressed by how tough we played MSU. Being Buckeyes they know how tough MSU is. They were both impressed by JJ. They had seats right behind the Bills' bench and said because of JJ's build they'd like him to play safety for the Bucks. Fat chance. One interesting sideline, they said "the young bald headed coach was the guy making all the substitution calls." I never noticed this, has it been like this all year. If so, that's great news for Harriman that RM trusts him so much.

It's appaling that schools like KY, UNC, et al are getting a pass on this when the term student athlete doesn't apply to them in any way, shape, or manner. You can bet KY's three frosh that are headed for the NBA won't ever see a lecture hall or classroom after they win the NCAA.

Can't remember who, but someone on here talked to RM late Friday night at a restaurant and RM said both GG and JM would contribute big time next year.

Well, 3Ws and 3Ls so far. Not great, not bad. Like kissing your sister. But how lucky is X? They get a very beatable ND team and manage to avoid Duke in the 3rd round. Temple a huge F. The game was ugly and USF was not that good. We would have slammed 'em. Hats off to the St B brownies. They played a great game against a solid FSU team. Didn't see it, but from all reports could have gone either way. Have mixed emotions about X, but will cheer for them from here on out. They are conference brethren after all, and we want the A-10 to go as far it can in this deal. We really got the raw end of the seeding deal but made the most of it, so nothing to hang our heads about.

Just wish we had the opportunity to see what this team would have been like with WR. We needed more interior strength and he would have gave it to us.

This tourney was a great learning experience for these guys and am sure they have a strong desire to go back and do more damage next year. Like a lot more. That alone should drive them to get better over the offseason. CE could be a really key guy next year, but he's got to really bust his arse this summer. First, his 3 has to get more consistent. If we'd had a sniper yesterday we could have won that game going away. MSU did hit some 3's but you have to wonder if they were the one's behind on the scoreboard would they have pressed. I think we're gonna see a powerhouse hit the floor next season because these guys have sampled the food and now want the whole meal.

And he's driving. But, might as well strike while the iron's hot.

And where were you hiding in the Billiken tent? Cripes, you're the one logical guy on here next to me.

Yeah, but I heard thru the Billiken telegraph, the ride wasn't a pretty one. Something about Mickey D's ketchup being all over the front of his shirt.

The Columbus paper actually named him, Billikan. I won't reveal it as I'm figuring Superman wouldn't want anyone to know he's really C. Kent. What a weekend. Can't wait to travel next year.

I really don't know where to start. But let's start w/ Billikens.com since this board keeps us Billiken fans. On Friday, I met Jbizzle and wife, she's a cutie, and Pistol. On Sunday, Sign guy, what a great guy, Taj Mahal 79, also a good guy, Eastside Joe, whose best man at his wedding was my best friend at SLU, redbird (she's a hottie but married), kshoe and his dad (again) but got some chastisement from the K (you're Dad's a good guy, K, only kidding). Met and talked w/ KM's mom and KC's parents. Great people and solidly behind SLU and RM. No wonder he loves these kids and they love him. The best was just seeing all those Bills' fans both young and old going nutso over our Billikens. The bus gauntlet was a thing of beauty. We travel well, Billikens. We travel well. Cripes, Taj Mahal 79 just hopped in his Ferrari after Friday night's win and drove straight to Columbus. You have to love that. Met the Good Dr. When he walked into the tent he was greeted with a resounding applause and cheers, mostly by the youngsters. Good for you, Students. I got to chat w/ him for a bit and he said, "this will continue". Good enough for me. The guy definitely backs it up. Thank you, Dr. Chaifetz. All in all, a truly great weekend to be a Billiken. Yes, we lost to MSU, but we learned a lot. And you can bet SLUPERMAN will use this weekend to spur these guys on to bigger and better results. I'm thinking this might have been the best week in a Billiken's life there ever was other than kids being born.

Losing by only 4 to MSU was not a moral victory. We're now better than that. It was an NCAA tourney lesson. MSU has been there and Izzo likes to play physical. RM will tell our guys this all summer. This game was a building block, both for the team and the fans. Just wait and see what we do to the A-10 next year and our out of conf sched. Right now, I'm saying 28-3, top 15 team, and a long run in the NCAA. I'm just hoping we get Columbus, Greensboro, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, or whats ever closer to Charleston next year as our regional. Actually, I'm pulling for a repeat in CMH as they now love the Bills too.

Well, maybe they should listen to Booby Knight. He knows what's going on with J. Calipari, who's playing the system like a violin. Forget this one semester deal and just let 'em go pro. KY's victory last night was not fair. They looked like a friggin NBA team.