Duff Man

I don't even know where to begin describing what's wrong with this sentence.

Just give it up duder... As a freshman, Harris only played 8 minutes per game averaging 1.46 rebounds and 1.54 points. He became a major contributor his second year, essentially filling the rebounding gap left by Dobbs. Evans has been a major contributor as a freshman and I would expect him to take a step forward next year.

It's hard to compare a roster dominated by upperclassmen to a roster dominated by underclassmen that's missing its 2 most talented players, but with Willie and Kwamain, this team is more talented than those vintage Spoonball teams. Those mid 90s teams overachieved thanks to the 3pt shooting of Claggett/Highmark/Waldman, trademark Spoonhour defensive intensity, and the craftiness of the undersized frontcourt - specifically 6'3 Dobbs, 6'6 Robinson, and 6'5 Harris. The latter 2 were essentially more seasoned variations of Dwayne Evans. Dobbs was a freak, but no one would argue he was more talented than Willie. Claggett and Waldman are the standard by which all SLU backcourts should be judged, and while none of the current batch of guards can pass like H or shoot like Claggett, none of the guards on those mid-90s teams had the all-around tools that these current players (KM/Jett/McCall) have already demonstrated. While no one on the current roster has matched what Scott Highmark brought to the table, Cassity isn't that far off, and between Loe, Ellis, and Barnett - someone should be able to fill that role - the talent is there.

All that matters is that he filled a role on teams that got to the dance. He was the only legit 3pt shooter coming off the bench on a team that lived and died with the 3pt shot. He was the ying to Carlos McCauley's yang.

Our first NCAA tournament birth in 37 years! 3 of SLU's 4 NCAA teams in the modern era have had major contributions from Juco transfers - and who knows if Hughes even considers SLU if not for their back-to-back NCAA teams in 94-95. We could very well be at 52 years and counting if not for the contributions of Donnie Dobbs, David Robinson, "average" Carl Turner, Justin Love, and Mo Jeffers. They may not be practical anymore due to the semi-recent NCAA rule changes Roy alluded to, and it sounds like RM stays away from them precisely on those grounds, but just because the majority of them flopped under Soderberg doesn't mean we should just abandon the idea outright.

The MCC sent 2 teams (Evansville and Xavier) in 1989. Evansville as an at-large. SLU finished 2nd in the league (behind Evansville) but lost to Xavier by 23 in the MCC Tourney semifinal, and that was that. I posted that to youtube to rally the base following SLU's 20-pt game in 2008. Subsequently one of Orlando's ex-ladies started talking trash in the comments, and before long one of Orlando's friends asked me (on 'Lando's behalf) to delete the negative comments. I hope one day I get the opportunity to do such a favor for Dan Patrick...

1:50-1:53

On every one of Guy's 'corrections', my fiancee turned to me and quoted the Mad Real World sketch... "Correction: I had sex with Katie." If only she knew... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmZX_645W4E

You don't even want to know the scandal behind the conception of the Baby Billiken...amazing they were able to keep it quiet...very shrewd PR making him co-mascot like they did

Why does it matter who we miss more? It's not like there is a choice. The only choice is whether or not KM redshirts, IF he returns. As for how to replace the production, it won't be easy but that's what the coaching staff gets paid for...I'd love to hear Majerus field your 'put a bigger emphasis on offense' question...please ask next time you see him. As much as I love seeing 5 players on the floor who can both pass and knock down open shots, the right way to develop this team is to reward defensive intensity with more playing time.

It's like meeting the girl of your dreams and finding out she's five...

Getting squeezed out of the NIT should be the least of our concerns right now... We've got a fighting chance of winning the Powerball jackpot, and you're focused on Pick 3.

If we get Rob Loe, I propose Jon Smith officially change his last name to Stamos.

Regardless what happens here with Xavier and Temple, they need a quality road win at Dayton and a neutral court win over a tourney bound team in AC before they should be considered for an at-large birth.

and now we will be born into new worlds where his flesh becomes our key...

No doubt it was a major gut check - as was the Richmond game - but let's take a close look at that 4-game streak... 2 point home win over St Bonaventure (RPI 195) 3 point road win over La Salle (RPI 116) 4 point road win over St Joes (RPI 186) 3 point double OT home win over Dayton (RPI 30) Previous to this, they let a game slip away at GW (RPI 133) and got smoked at Richmond (RPI 27). At this point, they are still a very flawed basketball team. When the open 3-pointers are dropping, they are good enough to play with anyone at home, yet they are still capable of losing to anyone on the road. Improved FT shooting and maturity from their low post players are what they to consistently win.

I'm as excited as anyone following the comeback against Dayton, but in the grand scheme of things it's really just 1 win - at home - against a team/coach who loses here on a regular basis. FT shooting as a whole is still the team's biggest liability at this point. 60.4% just isn't going to get it done. WR needs to adjust to the increased quality/speed of competition. When he gets the ball, he needs to either make an immediate move to the basket or kick out to a guard. Hakeem Olajuwon he is not. JS needs to stop picking up ticky-tack over the back fouls on the offensive glass. Pick your spots young jedi. If they can improve in these areas over the last 6 games, while continuing to hit a good number of their open 3s, then they'll be in a position to make some noise in AC.

The only consistency about SLU's retired numbers is the degree of inconsistency. I'm pretty sure #s 50, 43, 24, and 34 are all supposed to be retired. The 06-07 media guide indicates that... scroll down on the very same page... I'd love to hear someone rationalize how 'retired number' means something different than 'retired jersey'...the best I can gather it's a technicality for the purpose of putting Ed McCauley above everyone else. Earlier this year during a similar halftime tribute I'm pretty sure Guy Phillips implied Ed McCauley was the only Billiken to have his number retired. What's really funny is that they gave Melvin Robinson #50 his freshman year, but he wore 54 after that. I'm pretty sure it was because they realized 50 was supposed to be retired for Ed McCauley. They didn't have raised jerseys until the mid 90s at Kiel Center - and initially it was just 50, 43, and 24 for the 3 first team All-Americans. I'm guessing 43 and 24 were not retired before that ceremonial jersey raising in the 90s, because Roland Gray wore 24 in the late 80s. Numerous players (Dillard, Dobbs) wore 34 in the years following Bonner, but no one recently (i.e. since his jersey was raised). Anyone with actual knowledge on specifics can correct me if I'm wrong on any of this...

This has a killer opening riff and would be a fantastic intro song imo... the band (Surfer Blood) played an awesome set the Billiken club last Friday

You'd dig it the most.

I know what Winston Wolf would say if he were here...but he's not so lets just bask in the glow of a bona fide ass kicking. Say what you want about KM's maturity, WR's progression into a dominant big man, KC's newly found rhythm, and JJ's outside shooting - the thing that excites me the most is Salecich's all-around game. He shoots from the outside. He can penetrate and dish. He grabs rebounds and plays aggressive defense. He's got good instincts and a bit of a swagger. The fact that our offense continues to function when KM is on the bench is also quite comforting to see. This is a completely different team from the one that struggled to beat Screech and St Ambrose. I know the competition is shite and they haven't played on the road yet, but when this team is rolling they look unstoppable.

Who decides this anyway...It has to be the head coach, right? I can see it being a motivational thing with KM and especially WR to keep them from settling in like they're established stars or whatever. Eckerle (if healthy) would make sense as the only upperclassman. KC is just weird - like it's being done to boost his ego so he plays with more confidence. Whatever works! I guess I'm in the minority on the intros. Let me be clear I'm not against them doing something loud and fun - I just think what they currently do is extremely derivative/lame and would prefer something more original/unique/inspirational - maybe have some kind of montage intro that incorporates previous Billikens legends, great moments, etc... That would get the long-time season ticket holders excited in a way that metal and hip-hop never will...

JJ had one pass to the invisible man who was wide open in the corner where I'm pretty sure he was thinking, "That's where I'd have been..." I agree his ball handling is fine. I haven't seen anything to indicate he can drive to the hoop like KM, but the combo of CS and JJ has been adequate when KM is out.

anything to make it more of a show is only going to excite most anyone the kids. those that want to sleep watch basketball can just wear earplugs and close roll their eyes. /fixed