WVBilliken

I am a long time Billiken fan, went to SLU in the early 1970's. So I have seen a lot of bad basketball sprinkled with some good, the Spoonhour years, Majerus years and a few brief highlight years with Grawer and Romar. I am not 100% on the Ford bandwagon but I have seen the disruption that occurs when a new coach comes in. Almost always there is an adjustment period and that means losing seasons. Some of the coaches just don't work out and then we the fans have to suffer through more lean years. I admit, with the transfer portal and NIL bucks that may not necessarily happen this time. Given all this, I am 100% on board with hanging with Ford at least a couple more years. Like it or not, SLU has had four 20+ win seasons in the last 5, yes sustained success ..... a true rarity for us fans. And it should be 5 years except for the covid shortened season (2020-21) when the team only played 21 games and ended 14-7. So yes, I am on board to stick with Ford to see if he can figure out how to step up to the next level of winning, seen only from the Majerus years (yes, those first couple of Crews years were Majerus teams). This off-season for me, is when Ford must step up. If he can build another 20 win team for next year, I will think perhaps he is turning the corner as a coach.

I must say, watched the Lady Bills this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed their "Bully Ball". Will be watching them in their NCAA Tournament game for sure.

Yes, Ford shares the blame for those embarrassing losses, but so do the players. What this team has in talent, they lack in player leadership IMO. A Conlon, Goodwin, Jett type leader on this team would have made a couple of those embarrassing loses ..... wins. Ford and staff must, just have to, recruit a couple of talented, vocal leaders for the team to bring team success.

Ford's not going anywhere. He'll be SLU's coach next year. The way the NCAA has stacked everything against the mid-majors ....... from the NET system, to the transfer portal, to the way Power 5 schools can avoid Mid-Majors that they don't want to play (except at home or on a neutral court) ...... getting a couple of bids a decade to the DANCE is the definition of a successful Mid-Major coach. I think the NCAA Tournament has been devalued in the eyes of many TV viewers. I much rather see more a half dozen more Mid-Majors in the Tournament rather than watching 7th, 8th and 9th place teams from the SEC, Big 10, ACC, etc. It brings much more excitement to the average fan IMO.

Win! Ford stays.

Don't know why but think I'll watch the Dukes tonight. The Double Bye Clinched? thread say Dukes win and SLU has the double bye clinched tweeted from several sources that should be in the know. So will trust this is in fact true.

Oh right, the Dayton game. Duh.

So, which players participated on Senior Night?

Damn, Otis comes with me usually. Got lots of family who is happy to keep him when I want to catch a Cards or Billiken game. Otis loves checking out St. Louis as well. He's quite the tourist. He loves the beach too!

LOL .... don't believe everything you read. I love my home state of Missouri but crime, pollution, congestion, high cost of living, crappy weather ...... all these are better in WV. But seriously; each area has its pluses and minuses. I like the good of both areas and enjoy getting back to St. Louis a couple of times a year ..... but still don't care to live there again.

I have no idea where Coach Forte is recruiting. He has spent time previously in Oklahoma, St. Louis (as a graduate assistant), and of course Texas where he played HS ball and grew up. He's only been back at SLU for 7 or 8 months. I'd give him some leeway. Doubt he could have impacted the Fall recruiting class but perhaps he will impact the Spring Transfer Portal recruiting assuming Coach Ford stays ...... which is my assumption.

Dallas area? For an East Coast centric league doubt there is much appeal for a Dallas area recruit to go to SLU. Even SLU home games in St. Louis is 650 miles by car from Dallas; quite the drive for Mom and Dad.

Otis can "BALL". He is tenacious when playing pressing D. Would be a good hire.

Diasagree ..... and I lived in St. Louis for 38 years. Love visiting St. Louis but glad I live in smaller, less congested, low crime (about 250,000 in Metro area) area with close access to the mountains, skiing, hiking, cycling, white water rafting, rock climbing, etc ...... guess it depends on your priorities. I'll take small town America every time.

Sorry, but I would take a cool college town over a big, crime ridden city any day. And in a college town you are the big ticket.

Otis is thinking SLU fetches this game ...... and brings it home!

Don't forget Parker, hecould explode next year. He just needs to settle down a bit. But the kid can score. Don't hear much about Rivera's recovery but a 6'6" guy who is quick and can score is interesting. Wonder if he is recovered enough to practice with the team? Anyone know if he has been with the team on game day? Then of course Hargroves could be back. Collins? Doubtful, but you never know. And that redshirt shooter Kramer, a year practice with the team could be big. Finally there is likely 2 or 3 scholarships available for transfer portal players.

If that post qualifies me as a “hater” then I guess I’m a hater of anyone I’ve ever mildly criticized. Pickett has single-handedly cost this team games within conference play with his head-down bulldozing drives into bigger and stronger defenders, lack of passing, and turnovers. The team is much better when he’s not on the floor. There, that’s hating. Tonight he definitely was needed on the floor .... he played an excellent game.

Hughes plays damn good D. Impressive this game.

Damn, don't let me down says Otis! Go Bills!

Okay, Otis is ready now for the game to start! And my brother-in-law went to Davidson so there's a few beers riding on the outcome as well! Go Billikens!

Well, interesting opinions ...... but if read through this thread you will find many Billiken fans that are fans of both programs. And it's fine if you can't be a fan of both ...... some folks are just incapable of that. Like my boy Otis; he's for SLU and only SLU! Glad I'm not.

LOL. To say you can't be a fan of both programs is just plan ridiculous and narrow minded. I have been posting on this board for 17 years. I graduated from SLU. Yes, SLU is my favorite college basketball team by far. But I also follow Mizzou and want them to be successful unless they are competing directly against SLU (which almost never happens).

I am first and foremost a Billiken fan, SLU is where I went to undergrad and grad school. But I root for Mizzou as well. Yes, there are ignorant Mizzou fans. But you know what, there are ignorant fans of all schools ..... even some SLU fans. I've got close friends and family that went to both schools; so since childhood I followed both teams, long before I enrolled at SLU. So I will continue to root for both teams ..... and the ignorant fans, well they can spew their hate. I will just choose to ignore them and enjoy cheering for the schools of my choice.

Must admit, watching them play Tennessee. Very energized, entertaining team to watch. Hate to say it as a SLU grad ...... they are very good team.