Bay Area Billiken

UC has been up and down too in its history. UC had national championship teams when the Big O, Oscar Robertson, played there in the early 1960's. But UC had some lean years under the likes of Coach Ed Badger. In Ekker's last year at SLU, the only conference win for his team was an almost inexplicable victory at Cincinnati. Tony Yates was only able to make UC an NIT-type team. Then Huggins arrived on the scene and implemented his "system." UC became JUCO's Are Us, and had numerous other issues in Huggins' program. Now UC is back in in the downward spiral. I get WLW on XM Satellite Radio, and there has been some grumbling this year. Attendance has been down too. Like Taj, I'm surprised Cincinnati has struggled in the Big East, although UC is still recovering from the remnants and turmoil from the Huggins' departure. Whether the current coach, a Huggins disciple, can pick up the pieces remains to be seen. Xavier has a golden opportunity to truly become #1 in Cincinnati.

Come on, there's no hate here. This is college basketball, all in good fun. Re Marquette, I applaud and respect what they've done. I would like to say that SLU could model itself after Marquette. When I was at SLU in the dark ages in about 1982, there was a study commissioned that compared SLU to Jesuit University X, which we all thought was Marquette. Personally, two of my good friends from growing up in Quincy went to Marquette, as did my brother-in-law. Re Cincinnati, don't you think it is good for the Bearcats to get a little of what's been coming to them? Do you remember Huggins' graduation rate? I remember some very ugly blowouts on national TV, even with Larry Hughes wearing #20 for SLU. Were SLU and UC then really playing on the same level playing field (court)?

Indeed. Free the SLU Band.

Taj, when I saw your subject, I thought you were going to write something about Senator Eagleton. I read that his memorial service is going to be Saturday at St. Francis Xavier College Church (on the SLU campus). Senator Eagleton was the front man and had much to do with bringing the Rams to St. Louis. When you think about it, that was an incredible feat. He was able to convince the Rams to abandon the nation's second largest media market. I still remember him saying on one of the late Sunday night sports shows, "We'll have the Rams!" As a now Californian, who hails from the Midwest and has 2 SLU degrees, I could barely believe it was actually happening. This poster quickly turned in his 49ers scarlet and gold for the arch-rival Rams blue and gold. My support for the Niners was more the product of the Football Cardinals abandoning St. Louis. And once the Niners traded Joe Montana, it made it easier to abandon them.

Courtside, You and I have debated this before. It wasn't always that way at Marquette. It wasn't that way when Marquette was with SLU in the late MCC days, nor in the GMC days, nor in the earlier C-USA days. Although Marquette ususally had 5 figure crowds in those days, there were plenty of empty seats. These things are cyclical. As for Cincinnati, it is nice seeing them wallowing in the depths, irrespective of what is to come. As for Mr. Huggins, we will know next Sunday if the NCAA will continue his punishment.

Gonzaga v. Santa Clara, 2 fellow Jesuit schools, meet tonight for the 3rd time for the automatic NCAA bid. I know at least a few on this board are interested. This game is on TV at 8:00 St. Louis time on ESPN. It is being played in Portland, which makes it a veritable Gonzaga home game. From SLU's perspective, it would be better if Gonzaga wins. That would put the Zags in the NCAA, and with an RPI of 93, SCU should be out of the NIT, unless SCU gets a sentimental bid due to "retiring" Coach Dick Davey. Santa Clara has had a very good season. If SCU wins tonight, that likely means Gonzaga goes to the NIT, which means another NIT bid is lost. But Santa Clara is a sentimental choice tonight given Coach Davey's situation, and also because the Zags have ruled this league for so long, it would be nice for those of us here to see them sweat it out on Selection Sunday and to see the Broncos dancing. I think the WCC is only a 1 bid league this year.

I think SLU can do it this week. Whether SLU will do it is another story. SLU is really as good as any team in the A-10, including Xavier. But SLU has been chronically inconsistent. As others have said, The Big Three have to come through, and SLU must get some contributions from the bench to win 4 games in 4 days. Duquesne should be a SLU win, period. There will be no excuses if SLU loses to Duquesne again. The thing about Duquesne is that the Dukes play 10 players. I've seen them make hockey type mass 5 man substitutions. SLU should beat Duquesne, but cannot wear out the team in the process. I would also like to know whose decision it was to ground the SLU Band. Who decided that? Was it the Athletic Dept.? That sounds like some cost cutting maneuver right out of the Ekker Era, except that SLU did not have a student pep band when Ekker was in charge. That Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, the renovated old Convention Hall, site of many Miss America pageants, will be a veritable mausoleum for some, if not most, of these games. It would have been nice to have some SLU pep music from the finest pep band in the land. Let's win the thing and not have to concern ourselves with the NIT. Re the NIT, more bids have been lost daily to lesser conference champs that don't win their conference tournaments. The count right now is 4 and counting: Marist RPI 106 from the MAAC, #132 South Alabama of the Sun Belt, #116 Austin Peay of the Ohio Valley, and #118 East Tennessee State from the American Sun. I know others support this new NIT rule, but as a SLU supporter, I think it is flat out bad. Some of these teams getting in the NIT have no real business being there. Some of them should not even legitimately be in Division 1. We are at risk for 4 more NIT bids being lost to the MAC, the Big Sky, the SWAC, and the Northeast, with more possible. Couple that with the NIT being reduced to 32 teams, and there are our Billikens, right now sitting there with the 2nd to last NIT bid per the RPI at kenpom.com. Last year, this new NIT almost followed the RPI to the t, with one exception (VCU), as I recall. Let's make the NIT a moot point by winning the A-10 Tournament and taking away Missouri State's bid in the process! And no, I don't think winning this A-10 Tournament should qualify as a miracle. Again, I think it can be done.

On Wed., Mar. 7, 5:30 p.m. Central time. SLU is the #7 seed. Obviously, SLU must win that game. A win would bring UMass in Round 2. Had SLU won tonight against Dayton, SLU would have been the #6 seed and played #11 Temple. So maybe there is a small silver lining in tonight's 2OT loss at Dayton. I would rather play Duquesne than Temple at tournament time. SLU's RPI took a hit per realtimerpi.com- SLU is now at 80. Dayton is at 72. An RPI of 80 is a precarious spot for NIT purposes. And the RPI will take another hit just by playing Duquesne. For overall advancement to the ultimate goal, winning the A-10 Tournament and getting in the NCAA, IMO it is better to play Duquesne in Round 1. But that could hurt SLU's NIT chances due to the RPI hit SLU will take just by playing the game.

Another heartbreaker. Dayton 65 SLU 64 Double OT. SLU just couldn't hit the jump shots. Dayton hit a couple of clutch 3's.

SLU leads the all-time series 24-23. This series has largely been a function of the venue. We'll see you next year at Scottrade Center after Tatum's eligibility ends.

Let's win tonight in Dayton. It is an important game for SLU on many levels. We know SLU can beat UD. SLU needs to just do it. Let's go Bills!

In what? Are you aware of the all-time series record in basketball?

You may well be right. These study results surely came after the UCLA dynasty days under John Wooden, however. I only tacitly follow the Pac-10. I actually follow the WCC closer than the Pac-10. But there is no question that the Pac-10 is a finesse, touch foul league. Both leagues use some of the same refs. That stuff SIU was doing today would have been called fouls out here. I'm quite sure of that. Also, some West Coast teams, Cal in particular, have traditionally had problems when they play outside the Pacific Time Zone. Cal is notorious for loading up its non-conference schedule with assorted cupcakes, invariably in Berkeley.

When Spoon's Claggett/Highmark team made the NCAA in Baltimore, the difference in the way the 2 games were called was stark. In SLU's first round game against Minnesota, it appeared that the Big Ten everything goes, football rulebook was used. Only the drawing of blood was a foul. Then 2 days later, in Round 2 against Wake Forest, the ACC touch foul rulebook was used. In today's game, and it is just my opinion, I thought I saw a lot of uncalled fouls in that first half. We will see if SIU gets away with that stuff in the NCAA Tournament. It probably will depend upon the region from where the refs hail.

I watched part of the first half of SIU v. Bradley and frankly could take no more of it. It looked like this pressure "defense" of SIU could have resulted in fouls called on SIU on almost every Bradley possession. It really showed the difference in the way the game is called in different regions of the country. Had that game been played with West Coast refs, SIU may well have had players fouling out in the first half. There were uncalled muggings under the basket both ways. Shooting? Positively awful. Bricks are us, especially for SIU. And I see SIU somehow won 53-51. Bradley blew an 8 point second half lead. Both teams shot in the 30% range. And these are supposed to be NCAA teams? I'm sure we will get more glowing reports from the MVC media apologists. Bottom line: that was ugly basketball.

This is being reposted here, as I'm hoping it will be read and not lost. I think someone closer to the situation than yours truly should respond to Bernie in Bernie's Pressbox. I nominate Billiken Roy, although many others on this board are more qualified than me. First, Chris Lowery has nothing to do with SLU, other than that he is now an opposing coach who recruits SLU's area. As noted above, he was a young assistant when the SLU job last opened with minimal head coaching experience at D-2 Missouri Southern State. He wasn't even first in line then for the SIU job. So Bernie's column today re SLU was a pot shot. Second, ask Bernie for some specifics. What exactly does he recommend re SLU? Specifics, please, not pot shots. The new arena is being built. Tell him that if he wants to help the situation, that throwing all these flaming arrows our way is not helping. Put some beef behind the barbs, Bernie. What are your recommendations? What are your issues? Third, ask him if someone from SLU killed his dog. Did someone at SLU rub him the wrong way? Bernie Miklasz has more influence than he may even realize. His column is read throughout the Midwest and nationally on the internet. At minimum, it is time to call a truce, a cease fire. The SLU program is entering a crucial stage that will affect the next 5 years. Is Bernie aware that SLU currently has 2 very good, high Division 1 caliber sophomores in Tommie Liddell and Kevin Lisch? This poster is not Pollyanna. But the sky is not falling either. Alert | IP Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

I think someone closer to the situation than yours truly should respond to Bernie in Bernie's Pressbox. I nominate Billiken Roy, although many others on this board are more qualified than me. First, Chris Lowery has nothing to do with SLU, other than that he is now an opposing coach who recruits SLU's area. As noted above, he was a young assistant when the SLU job last opened with minimal head coaching experience at D-2 Missouri Southern State. He wasn't even first in line then for the SIU job. So Bernie's column today re SLU was a pot shot. Second, ask Bernie for some specifics. What exactly does he recommend re SLU? Specifics, please, not pot shots. The new arena is being built. Tell him that if he wants to help the situation, that throwing all these flaming arrows our way is not helping. Put some beef behind the barbs, Bernie. What are your recommendations? What are your issues? Third, ask him if someone from SLU killed his dog. Did someone at SLU rub him the wrong way? Bernie Miklasz has more influence than he may even realize. His column is read throughout the Midwest and nationally on the internet. At minimum, it is time to call a truce, a cease fire. The SLU program is entering a crucial stage that will affect the next 5 years. Is Bernie aware that SLU currently has 2 very good, high Division 1 caliber sophomores in Tommie Liddell and Kevin Lisch? This poster is not Pollyanna. But the sky is not falling either.

We know Mo. State recruits in St. Louis. Barry Hinson admitted that he recruited 4 of SLU's 5 starters. That's why I think the SLU-Mo. State series benefits Mo. State much more than it helps SLU. It gives Mo. State more visibility in the St. Louis Metro Area.

is right there at stltoday.com for the whole world to see.

Read the thread. First, what are you doing on this board? Second, SLU fans have every right to object if the MVC Commissioner is trying to get the NCAA Committee to consider the SLU VICTORY a win for Missouri State. Third, hell will have frozen over and pigs will fly before Saint Louis University or anyone from it has an "inferiority complex" in regards to Missouri State, or whatever that former directional school wants to call itself. Fourth, the point is now moot since Mo. State beat Wichita State last night. That should put Mo. State into the NCAA.

That was a completely unnecessary pot shot. I read it last night, almost posted, but decided to sleep on it. 18-11 is not be what we want, but it is not evidence of a "chonically mediocre and lethargic program." There are 336 Division 1 basketball programs. An RPI of 77 is not what we want either, but it is not evidence of a "chronically mediocre and lethargic program." As for Chris Lowery, he is a fine coach, But I have no recollection of him ever being a candidate for the SLU job. When the SLU job last opened, Lowery was a very young assistant coach under Bruce Weber. I don't think Lowery was even Weber's top assistant then. Per Lowery's bio, his head coaching experience then consisted of a short stint at Missouri Southern State, a Division 2 school. Don't let the facts get in the way of your opinions, Bernie. When it comes to SLU hoops, The Bern has become a "chronically lethargic" columnist. What is most disturbing is that Saturday Bits column is in the Saturday Post-Dispatch and read throughout the Midwest. This weekend is Arch Madness, the Missouri Valley's time in the sun. That does not mean that SLU has to be ripped in the process. The two (SLU and the MVC) are not joined at the hip.

Absolutely true! I actually almost mentioned Dickey in my post, but refrained. But I see you, Basketbill, and I were on the same wavelength. I see Dickey sitting to my left in the print pressbox at Giants games and wonder what's coming next. And, of course, he is a big time Old Blue apologist for his beloved Cal Bears. Didn't Dickey have some feud with Joe Montana at one time?

Maybe someone from SLU should try to have a summit with Bernie, ala the TLR-Bernie chance meeting at SFO. It could only help the SLU cause because Bernie is a very influential columnist. He has actually gotten a national name for himself. TLR and Bernie certainly had their issues for a time. But that is old, distant news now. I still remember seeing Bernie sitting there courtside at San Jose Arena (HP Pavilion) with his counterpart from the KC Star when Mizzou went down to Oklahoma in the NCAA West Regional. As for Bernie's work, other than his SLU bashing, I have respected his work. He's not the messiah of doom. But he sure seems to have it in for SLU.

Given all the rubbish, I half hope Mo. State gets beat tonight, even though it would resuscitate Wichita State for NIT purposes. I wouldn't mind having Mo. State again having to sweat it out on the bubble for more than a week. It would probably give SLU some more publicity from that 51-50 SLU VICTORY! IMO, if Mo. State wins tonight against WSU, Mo. State is in the NCAA. Bradley survived against UNI. That should put a bit of a dent into UNI's NIT resume. Obviously, I want SLU to win the A-10 Tournament. But if not, then I hope SLU gets in the NIT. This team deserves at least that.

I don't understand Bernie's beef with SLU either. Without knowing for sure, was he upset with Father Biondi when he (Father Biondi) poked a little fun Bernie's way at the press conference announcing the hiring of Brad "Soderberger" as SLU's coach? Is Bernie holding a grudge from that? Remember that Brian Gregory was Bernie's choice. Bernie used to have his issues with Tony LaRussa (and vice versa). But the two of them ironed them out several years ago in of all places the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), as one was coming and the other was going. Generally, I like reading Bernie's columns, enjoy his commentary on Fox Sports Midwest, and overall I think he does a good job. But I don't like the way he continues to rip and make fun of SLU. Bernie kept that running count of the number of days from the original announcement of the SLU Arena. Maybe he thought he was prodding SLU. But he has to realize that money does not grow on trees, and now the Arena is being built. As for the new Arena, I would rather have the 13,000 seats, but I would much rather take the 10,600 coupled with the practice facility. The new Arena will be great for SLU, but that practice facility has been needed for decades. Frankly, I am just a bit personally concerned about getting to see the Billikens on my annual pilgrimages back to the Midwest. And I think Bernie is way, way off base re the beloved Missouri Valley Conference and SLU not being in it. I think that history will eventually show that SLU is better off in the A-10.