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I saw today that SLU has put together a package for the Loyola-Chicago game on January 18. The package includes game ticket and pre-game reception. If you already have a game ticket, you can buy the pre-game reception only. This is great news. SLU's alumni team always does a great job on these events. Its great meeting Billiken fans before the game from both St. Louis, the host city (Chicago, in this case,) and from across the country who travel in for the game. Everyone sits together in same section, etc. I'm going and I know at least 10 others who will be going as part of this package and seating section. All of us witnessing a great road victory! Here's the link: https://alumni.slu.edu/s/1264/17/interior.aspx?sid=1264&gid=1&pgid=7838&cid=12540&ecid=12540&crid=0&calpgid=413&calcid=8723

The last I looked, SLU was right in the middle of Beast basketball budgets. The new Champions Center (scheduled to open fall 2023) will add a very nice element to the recruiting mix. While it is not the panacea that NIL is, it will be a strong asset that few if any Beast schools have. Add this to the basketball budget, Chaifetz Arena, head coach salary, and expected NIL money... SLU can compete. There is no doubt SLU, its donors and sponsors are investing. We just have to get to the tourney this year. Hopefully to the second weekend. Then continue to build upon it. Build a tradition. That'll be the best recruiting asset. Kids wanna go to play in the tourney. Not sit home.

100% The goal is to be a perennial top 50 team. Depending where we fall in top 50, that should have us dancing every other year, minimum. Anything less is aiming too low.

The bar for SLU should be better than 50%. At least 3 of 5 years.

I stand corrected. Unless you pay for ESPNNEWS via cable/satellite, unable to view on ESPN+

It holds about 10,000, correct? Similar to Chaifetz…

The game is also on ESPN+. I’m looking at the game icon in the interface, awaiting its start.

I was at that game. A tough trip home.

Doesn’t seem to be highly recruited. Anyone know his story? Did he somehow sneak past big schools? Did we get in early?

3-0 final. Way to go, ladies!

Nothing preventing SLU from doing same thing with Sports Commission. Yeah, no football team. But who seriously thinks Mizzou has one or has had one any time recently. Ditto basketball. SLU’s basketball and both soccer teams are way better. Don’t tell me there’s no way we couldn’t set up a very attractive NIL deal for SLU and visiting players. How about a pre-season basketball triple header or tournament? NIL from Commission and TV network? Smart minds can figure out.

If I were the writer -- and had some intention of communicating how the expectations for both teams is very high this year -- I would have written something like: "Both Dayton and Saint Louis are widely expected to battle for the A10 championship. And with the Flyers at #23 and the Billikens at #27 in ESPN's latest pre-season poll, both are expected to not only play in the NCAA Tournament, but be battling into the second weekend." That creates some excitement, eliminates any second thoughts that they can't be any good because they're in the A10, speaks in fact, doesn't call the Billikens second banana, and sets reasonable expectations for the season. A good writer who deals in fact but also feels that at least part of his job is to support local teams would take an approach similar to the above.

Torch, excellent thread. Brought back all the memories. And yes, we are light years away from that lack of commitment from the administration. Let's go Bills!

For top-20 schools, maybe not much. But for those outside that, gunning to make the tourney, the Bills are expected to be a tourney team and a Q1 team. Plenty of reason to do a two-year H&H deal.

Very interesting interview. Nothing discussed about NIL money. When Cusumano asked CTF why Yuri was coming back: “… realized… upon reflection what a special situation he had here: playing on a really good basketball team, with teammates he’s comfortable with, that believe in him, he believes in them, a coaching staff that trusts him.”

Maybe this is a dumb question, but I'll ask anyway. Is Yuri's decision to go into the portal a 100% confirmation he won't be back? Is it possible he's doing it to solicit the highest NLI bidder or to force SLU to match another team's (TN) offer?

Isn't Sincere Parker the combo guard? Could run the point when Yuri is out. How well does he handle the ball? Can't imagine leaving a Juco All-American who averaged 15.6 PPG on the bench too long.

Here’s a good story on the alcohol NIL sponsorship topic. With only 78 of the 3xx D1 schools allowing alcohol sales at games, wonder how that’ll play into the equation. https://boardroom.tv/alcohol-nil-deals-nkosi-perry/

Yes, Bud Light is still a Billikens sponsor. But important you know a couple things about college marketing by beer companies: - many years ago, the beer companies came to an agreement to greatly limit their college marketing given that roughly half of college students are underage. This is too complicated a subject for an internet post — what is and isn’t allowable — but if you want to read more: https://www.anheuser-busch.com/content/dam/universaltemplate/ab/better-world/alcohol-responsibility/responsible-marketing/College-marketing-code1.pdf - to the above point, a beer company would never hand NIL money to a high school senior - or 19 or 20 year old to shill beer - if you think they might for 21-24 year olds, it is possible. There is one case of it for a small brewer in FL I’m aware of in the NIL era. And to date, the NCAA hasn’t waded into that water to hold players to rules. But I think the PR risks with MADD etc will be too much for an AB-InBev at SLU or major universities. - could some team beer sponsorship $$ be transferred quietly to NIL money. Again, doubt it at SLU

Yep. A chance to play for preseason Top 25 team? Most definitely.

Martin Short uses "whelmed" as part of his stand-up routine, sometimes at the expense of his partner Steve Martin. Very funny.

Out of reactions. 100%

In the NET, quite a bit different: Davidson - 43, Dayton - 54, VCU - 56, SLU - 60, St. Bona - 84, Richmond - 85. Despite wins yesterday by SLU, Dayton and Davidson, NET went down for all three.

Wiz, are you here in DC? There were reports you are among us!

I hate to admit it, but I’m in a depression with this team. I’m there every game cheering them on. But with multiple double digit losses against the best in the A10 and the three unbelievable non-conference losses — at home — after being up double digits in the 2nd half, I’ve lost faith they’ll get anything done the rest of the regular season or in the conf tourney. Rather than going 4-0, I think they’re more likely to go 1-3 or 2-2. They get hot briefly against middling competition then get smacked down. There’s something about the makeup of this team that’s off. They rarely step up in the big games under bright lights. They look intimidated, on their heels, usually right out of the gate. They lack killer, refuse-to-lose mentality. Like Taj says, I do not understand not being up for big games. And there’s not a single guy who is good enough to carry the team on his back in the tough sledding. C Ford usually has the Bills peaking at this point. This year it’s not feeling that way. Love for them to prove me wrong.