AlumniFan

This is good to hear. Mental toughness and being mentally disciplined is not only the key to success on the basketball court, it is also the key to success in life. I really hope that these young men understand that the lessons they are learing (assuming they learn them) will serve them VERY well in their lives. I think Brad wants, in the worst way, to be a winner, no "if, ands, or buts" about it. He hates to lose. He knows that to win with this team the players have to play to their absolute limits every minute, not sometimes. Again, that's how life is. I didn't give a prediction about our season because I am no basketball expert, but based on what I have seen of Brad Soderberg, this team is going to win some games they are not suppose to win and surprise some teams that aren't as disciplined, but may be more talented. That is what will make Billiken basketball very exciting in 2003-2004.

I just heard on the local news that Drejaj led all scorers with 14 points. He must have been the stealth player, because it didn't seem like he played more than 10 or 15 minutes. Maybe he was in when I was trying to keep my daughter from spilling her ice cream all over me.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a basketball expert, just a lifelong Billiken fan. Most of you know a lot more about basketball than I do. OVERVIEW: Wasn't really pretty. Lot's of bad passes, missed shots, questionable fouls, and turnovers. Saw some great hustle by Sloan; hope he is a role model for the younger players. We missed a lot of open shots and forced some really ugly ones. Didn't seem like the guys were playing as a team yet, however, there did seem to be a lot of hustle. Frericks: Not a small person. Frericks has the size to bang inside and did a little. He showed some Sloan-like intensity from time to time, but seemed to be a little out of position at times. Fisher: Solid with a few more moves. Will be a clear leader on the team. Clarke: Didn't look at all like a freshman, more like a senior...in high school. Darren will develop, I'm sure, but tonight his smallish frame (6-4? Hmmm....) looked lost and out of place. Probably largely nerves, but based on tonight, we shouldn't expect him to contribute substantially this season. Vououkas: Played only a little. Another big kid and, unlike Frericks, only a freshman. We definitely have some decent size this year. Drejaj: Very solid. More moves, very quick, confident with the ball. Seems to have put on some size in the off-season. Didn't really play much though. Bryant: The greatest compliment that I can pay this kid is to say he looked Perryesque tonight right down to the white headband. Very quick, can shoot the ball. He looked a little tentative at times, but clearly this kid can play. He had a few moves that just left people shaking their heads (and the defense trying to figure out what happened). Hunt: Played sparingly. Varner: Okay. If I remember correctly, had a few bad passes, but then hit a couple of decent shots. Seemed a little larger. Ohanon: As mentioned above, I am not an expert at all, but this kid looked really, really quick for 6-9. He moves more like a guard than a forward. Hit some nice perimeter shots. My opinion is that he could easily lead the Billikens in scoring in many games. He was also more intense than last year. I expect big things from Izik. Needs to get inside and bang a little more. Sloan: One word: INTENSE. He just doesn't know the word "slow". Hustle all the time. It may not always be pretty (his one lay up almost looked painful, but he made the shot that most couldn't have made), but he WILL get the job done this year. We are really lucky to have this kid on the team. Few other comments: * Bryant's shorts were so long that my four year old daughter ask me why he was wearing a dress. They come down below his calves. * Blue crew was out in force!?!?! I hope this is an indication of things to come. * Husak, I think, was in street clothes. What does this say? Or did I miss something? * Soderberg was really fired up several times. Even jawed the refs several times. I get the sense he expects this team to really perform up to and beyond their potential. Good for him.

Because you obviously are not from Earth espousing the kind of absurd beliefs you posted. I don't even know what school you are from. Go away.

My wife and I and several others are doing the concert with Dr. Zhivegas and Vargas Swing Friday night (same time as the Taste of St. Louis). Saturday morning I am doing the 5k run. Should be done with that in about two hours. Then in the afternoon we are taking my daughter down for the family fun deal followed by the BBQ. I will be with all the B-School folks. Should be great fun. Hope everyone can make it.

38, SLU BSBA 86 and MBA 92. Day job as a CFA managing money for wealthy families, foundations, and endowments. Wife and I also own businesses in metro area. Been a SLU fan since early 80's; season ticket holder since early 90's. Live in Webster now, but spent 10 years living on the West End of Belleville after getting married. Went to DeSmet. Still very active at SLU serving on boards, programs, committees, etc. Most of you will forget more about b-ball than I will ever know, but I love the Billikens. My favorite memory was from the old arena during the Highmark, Claggett, H era when they had to take down the big "S-L-U" tarps in the upper circle to accommodate the capacity crowds as the team continued to win games. Section 114, row HH (I think). Always there with wife and daughter and maybe one of my sons. I, too, try to help the refs out whenever I can.

www.slu.edu/billikenpride

I bought a ton of shirts and sweatshirts at the bookstore on Saturday. They have a decent selection with a lot of stuff on clearance. While it is getting a little picked over, you will likely find at least a few things to buy. Also, there is an on-line "store", but I am not sure what the URL is.

nm

Do you hate yourself as much as you hate everything else in life? "Some people aren't happy until they make someone else unhappy." - Anonymous

I would love to travel to some of these games. Is someone going to coordinate this for those of us who don't know each other personally? I guess the first question should be is everyone welcome?

I have received hundreds of e-mails overnight at my work address. All of them are from people I have never heard of. My address is also sending stuff out as well and I have no control over it. Nothing shows up in your Sent E-mails, you only know it is happening because some of the addresses it sends to are dead and so you get a failed delivery notice. The "re:" or subject line is usually "Wicked Screensaver", "Your application", "Details" or "Approved". If you get anything like this DELETE it without opening it. There are several news stories on the web about it this morning.

NM

This location is almost to Jefferson. Plus, I think it abuts the big AT&T building. Seems awfully far east. I am very surprised this guy sold his building. Must have been an attractive price.

Can you read?

LOOPHOLE - a means of evading an obligation. This definition is from Webster's New World Dictionary. SLU has no obligation to provide this data. You, however, should familiarize yourself with the proper uses of the English language. P.S. OBLIGATION - a binding contract or promise (same source)

This has nothing to do with ethics. It has to do with choice and the right to privacy. Why do you HATE SLU so much? Your comments are overwhelmingly anti-SLU. GO AWAY!