Parks 68

Watched the LaSalle game. The Bills have no transition game. They get the ball either after a basket or rebound and then walk the ball down every time. Numerous times, LaSalle had the fast breaks going for them and caught the Bills flat footed. It was luck that the Explorer's couldn't make their shots drop. St. Louis had many chances to get out on a fast break but again, they play what seems like a forced slow offense. With a guard like QM who is fast and can take advantage of that speed, it seems like they are not taking advantage of that skill. Perhaps that is what RM has "Beat" into them but easy buckets are there for the taking especially with the likes of WR and BC under the basket. Missing free throws was also an issue. In the "Clutch" KM made the important ones and the Bills survived. It would have been a 10 point lead if all others had made their FTs during the game. When the Bills encounter a team that is quick and running, they will be in trouble. Their slow/paced rate of play will be their down fall.

Yes, I was at Parks from 68 - 71 (AME if you must know). Stunting is when cheerleaders are hoisted over a male cheerleader and they perform stunts. Like a statue of liberty, a scorpion, etc. Tumbling were cheerleaders do a standing back tuck, or a back layout. You know, gymnastics. Dancers dance and perform. Both squads are required for a true athletic program. Check out U of I , Michigan State, Notre Dame, Purdue, etc. Division 1 schools with athletic departments with true spirit squads. The down fall of the squads was the previous coach. She was a dance team coach and paid little attention to the cheerleaders. A coach that was worthy of the position would have elevated the performances of both squads. Instead, both languished and now you see the result. The present squad really doesn't have an experienced coach, just a figure head. So SLU gets what they put their effort into. It is true that public universities will have a more lenient uniform code. That said, it doesn't mean that you have to show yards of skin in order to help get the crowd into the game. SLU crowds don't have the passion for their team at this point. The athletic dept. has to step up and really push the marketing effort to the student body. When the blue crew shows up in force, the place is electric and you can feel it. Parks

If you fella's are looking for "Juice", your best bet is to watch the game from Hooters. Parks

Jumbo, You are a victim of "He'll do anything if you show him some skin". The Saintsations are lame at best. A couple of them are hold overs from the past Cheerleading squad. They are the talented ones who are credible at tumbling and stunting. They are also the best looking of the squad. At the Dayton game, the half-time dance squad from a local high school out shined a college squad hands down. The overall talent of the present squad has gone down hill this year. Put the squad back on track with the rest of the college programs. D1 schools have dancers and cheerleaders and elect the best talent for both. SLU athletics screwed up when they ditched the cheerleaders for a single "Saintsations" squad. Parks

How is it that the "NEW" Saintsations are easily overshadowed by their highschool counterparts at half-time entertainment? The Spirit Squad (Cheerleaders of years gone by) had more attractive and talented girls, the guys were a welcome addition for the stunting, and overall those squads put the present group to shame. Check out the squads at any "Name" college and you will see co-ed cheerleaders. They work on outstanding stunts and tumbling. All that is head and shoulders above the present Saintsations. The name even lacks any imagination. Come on, this is the college level, I would expect that sort of name at grade school. Heck, even high school would be more creative than that. The signs, stunting, and gymnastics of the cheerleading squad are sorely missed thses days. The "Dance" squad is really lacking in direction and talent. I am a fan of cheerleaders, you can have the so called "Dance Squad" (Yawn). Maybe there are just a reflection of thier leadership?

Can anyone tell me if tickets (other than $28 each) are available at the window on game night? The up-charge from Metro-tics is pretty steep and I would just as soon avoid it. I am a Billikens fan but they aren't at that $28 a ticket place just yet. Parks 68

When and what time will this game be on ESPN?

Welcome to the Billiken family! Happy to have your son as a Billiken and look forward to watching him play. Is it possible this is on satellite radio? In STL it's on 101.3 however I don't know if that is on satellite or not. Hoepfully there will be a way for you to watch or hear the games while you are out in the Gulf.

Question of the night - how will you guys replace Bryce Husak's speed and athleticism? That got a good rise out of everyone. My reaction to that statement is: what a bunch of "NO CLASS" individuals to laugh at Bryce Husak's contribution last year. Kevin Garnett he was not, but teams altered their offense when Bryce was on the floor. He was a presence in the paint that opposing teams learned to respect. How quickly a few forget his contribution during the tournament in Pittsburgh and early in the season. In the beginning, Bryce scored points, blocked shots, and was a contributor. Toward the end of the season his play didn't match his early season performances but he still made a difference. Perhaps he was no longer playing 100 percent, no one knows. No matter his level of play, opponents took advantage of our team's lack of height when he wasn't on the floor. When not in the game, Bryce was always the first off the bench to congratulate his teammates at a break or time-out and worked to keep them energized. The harsh light of scrutiny can be put on any player or coach at any time. Few had play or made decisions that were without fault. What sort of gafaws were heard for RM's coaching ability last season. Oh, I forgot, those were not HIS players, just individuals that he was STUCK with. Well, let's see what he produces this year or what excuses he will fabricate if his team doesn't earn a bid to the "Dance". So far his demonstrated lack of respect toward his past player shows some of his true character. That sort of behavior is best left "On a Napkin"!

Partial scholarships is a joke. The extent of scholarship money is a new pair of shoes (that might not fit cause the coach didn't order the right size) and a uniform with Bow. Big deal. I agree that they should get rid of Mills. Her experience is limited (very limited) to dance with NO cheerleading background. She also has been known to pick her squads by the color of their hair and nothing else. What a tryout competition that is! The standards to be on the dance team would be a hoot to read. Constant tanning, hair extensions, a pooch that hangs over your waist band, those are probably good for starters. Cheering and dance are two completely different activities/sports. Cheerleaders are in the gym constantly tumbling and stunting. Dancers change costumes and dance. There will be no tumbling or stunting with the new "all girl" Spirit Squad. You can bet that the majority of the dance team will comprise the majority of the "Spirit Squad" and the real cheerleaders will get dumped. Casey Faye is awfully fair that way. She will protect her dancers. Getting rid of the male cheerleaders will effectively kill any real stunting as women don't have the upper body strength to control a flyer. How a woman is safer than a man as a base, escapes me. No one ever said that Mills was a smart or talented. Many cheerleading coaches are on a power trip and she is no different. Dump Mills and keep the cheerleaders!

Roy and all, The NCAA will do what it does best. Stick it's nose into things that don't really concern it and let the genuine issues go. Don't you realize that the important issues on the NCAA agenda are subjects like the mascots of the U of I and who they might offend! Focusing on athlete's success as students, that is someone elses rice bowl.

Congrats to all the Bills. You played big and left it all out on the court tonight. Great shooting, the dunk was awesome, and super interior "D". Denied Nivens the ball. He is a load but we covered him and kept him from running away with the game. Super job Bills.

In the first half, Bryce didn't have a lot of energy. Don't know if he wasn't feeling OK or what. In the second half, his energy really stepped up and he was all over 42. Bryce is gonna sleep good tonight as he and 42 we at each other everytime they were on the court together. 42 handled Barry much easier than Bryce. Barry just had a little better offensive game and that huge three at the end. Bryce definately earned his minutes tonight. It was not an outstanding game for him, but he did have 8 pts and 7 rebounds. The jump hook with 42 on his hip was ourstanding. He needs to do more of that. Overall a decent effort for Bryce. The key to the game was doubling on 42 in the second half. Both Bryce and Tommie were fronting him and denying the ball. That is all you could do as he has such strength and athleticism. If Bryce had is outside shots fall this evening, it would have changed the whole game. But that is just the way it goes. The team is always better with Bryce on the floor.

Agree the team is playing very well and I do believe that RM has adjusted his offense to suit the skills of the players. The defense is one of the strengths of this team. They can defend anyone at this point, the key is to get their shots to drop like they did this evening. Bryce was awesome this evening. When he can add the kind of offensive points to his game and be that defensive presence, you can see the difference in the whole team. He makes everyone better during the game and gives the opposing team fits. Good for you Bryce. Great game! Tommie was working the ball pretty good this evening, his offense didn't compare to his ball distribution. The one opportunity where he took his man one-on-one to the hole, he missed the lay up. That is his shot and you don't expect him to miss it. Once he starts hitting on all 8 cylinders, watch out. Hopefully, with this sort of momentum, everyone will play a good game on the road this weekend. The team is starting to really gel and peak at the right time. Down the stretch is where you want to play your best ball. Congrats on the win and Go Bills!

What if the choices were between a school/team that had a chance to go to the big dance and one where you could play right away? Now there is a choice to ponder. What if your choices two years ago were SLU or U of I? You could come to SLU and play ball immediately, or be on a team that potentially could be wearing that NCAA Champ. ring? If you don't like U of I< insert your favorite school, let's say the current Memphis team or even UNC!

I disagree on BH in this game. He had the first points in the game. Had his shots dropped his offensive numbers would be much better. It was his presence on defense that mattered the most. BE was certainly was more effective on the offensive side. Defensively, they played thru and over BE, scoring at will. They couldn't do that with BH. He was too much of a body for them do to that. I don't know why they don't play BH and BE on the floor together, they would be a good combination to watch. AK is certainly a big body that can fill in for either one and give some good minutes. It was a shame that TL wasn't more of a factor. He still slacks off his man defensively and what happens, the guy he is assigned to guard burries 3 every time. TL had a little offense, but not what is expected of someone with his talent. He did create some points on drives to the bucket when he got fouled, but that was the extent of his production. Nothing up to the level of his ability. There are no words for KL. He is the player that the team relies on game after game. He can play on any D1 team he would choose. Kevin was awesome and on national TV to boot!

Bryce played much better today than his numbers showed. In the first half, his screens opened three to four easy drives to the basket. On UMass free throws that were missed, he backed his man out and the Bills got the rebound. He did miss a couple of 8 footers but he was consistently makeing them in the warm up. Two dunks. The second didn't count but was awesome as he was in exactly the right place and time to follow up on a missed shot. Too bad he didn't get the points. Tommie was very good offensively, he still slacks off on his man on defense. His man sank a couple of threes while he was a good five feet away. Danny was awesome. What a good game for him. Luke got some bad foul calls today but still delivered his yeoman performance. He had three back door cuts to the basket that resulted in points. Good for him. Adam played well. Kevin does it all. Agree that he was tired at the end of the game but he picked up and continued to deliver. What a guy! A nice win for the bills.

One of the coaches said that Dwayne took a knee to the chest, he developed trouble breathing. Went to the ER , but they said that he was doing OK. That was from KL's dad at the end of the game.

Skip, What a wonderful post. Thank you for reminding everyone just how outstanding each and every one of our Seniors are. The worst thing that we get press about is a 20 pt loss. The character of our athletes is something for SLU to be proud of. No broken jaws due to bar fights, no one arrested for beating up their girlfriends etc. , just student athletes who will graduate with a degree from an outstanding school and good character. These are truely fine young men that all of us will be proud to say we have known. Go Bills!

Billikan, I am with you on the decent refs. That last game was pretty bad. I really hate when the zebras work overtime to influence who will win the game.

It is tough when you have to play the zebras as well as the other team.

The Bills need production out of Lidelle! Heck, even Polk has a 3. Does Tommie even have any points? I Don't think so.

Don't know if you noticed, but on the jumbotron at the games , they are showing pictures of last years cheerleaders. The cute ones! Guess this years crop is not up to last years standards.

Bandman, Let's agree to disagre on their sacrifices. You and I see this from a totally different perspective. As far as coaching is concerned, let's talk coaching on offense. I do understand that when your team is shooting cold from the arc you are in trouble. Doesn't a good coach recognize that and change his attack. Can you say SIUC? Everyone remarked after that game that we saw a totaly different offense. KL and TL were allowed to shoot the ball in rhythun and create offense for the team. They were not confined strictly to shooting off ball screens. That is what I am talking about. When you have open looks but can't hit, do something different! RM was going impose his offense the last game no matter what the cost. You could see the number of ball fakes and then passing around the perimeter. There was no adjustment of offense during the game. Just keep shooting and hope that the shots start dropping. They didn't and the players are solely responsible for a lack of scoring? They were doing what they were told and it didn't work. It is my opinion, that this lack of adjustment is a coaches responsibility not the players. You are fee to have whatever opinion you want, that is mine.

Bandman, No where did I say that the players or coaches are above criticism. But I would like to keep posts civil and adult. Calling a player names is pretty sophmoric. True that these athletes are getting a first class education, but they also sacrifice time away from their families and don't have a life outside of their sport. They would have even less if RM had his way. When a game is a disaster, how much responsibility do the coaches have to shoulder? When you take good athletes (tell me that KL, TL , LM, and the like are not good athletes) and screw with their minds, you get the sort of game we witnessed the other night. Not one shot in rhythm. Nothing but ball fakes and passes around the premiter, no driving the hole. That sort of behavior is the result of coaching. Players that are trying to "Think the way the new coach wants". There is no flow to their play. IMO, what we witnessed was the coach telling everyone that this is the way we are going to play the entire game and to hell with the score. You will learn this method or die trying. Coaches bear responsibility just like the players do. So let the players play and support them as best we can. If you don't like it, you don't have to listen or watch. Just vote with your feet! It's just a game of basketball.