Billiken4life5

"What I do know is Mizzou will always be the premier basketball program in Missouri." Nothing says "premier basketball program" like 3 elite eight appearances in more than 70 years and 0 final four appearances.

I'd do it

But they're not Shakaless yet and considering he just turned down Illinois doesn't look like they will be next year. I just feel this same argument could be made for Butler with Stephens.

Awesome weekend, one of my best experiences so far at SLU. We were about to scalp tickets for $50 a piece on Sunday and an alumni comes up and says boys its your lucky day and gave us tickets in the sixth row for $20. Cannot thank him enough. Also, got quoted in the NY Times online. http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/the-view-from-st-louis-university-a-tough-matchup-with-the-spartans/ Unbelievable weekend for the slu community.

For those of you who chose to just get tickets for yesterday how much are you expecting to pay for tomorrow?

uomcamaro we're generally not this uncooperative to opposing teams fans who raise some valid pts but we've been waiting twelve years for this so you'll have to excuse our ribbing (and it is hilarious). The things that concerns me the most about this game is obviously your athleticism. Our defensive rotation and help side defense is second to none but you will have some guys who can rise up over us and shoot anytime they want. Nothing helps shooters confidence like not having to worry about getting blocked and I think that explains why some teams have gotten hot against us (Temple, UMass). That being said, we are generally able to impose our will with regards to pace of the game. We push in transition a little more than some of Majerus's teams in the past but were still stingy in allowing transition offense. This isn't rocket science, in a evenly matched up game like this shooting is going to be the difference. If we are hot from 3 I think we'll win whereas if your guards hit some tough, contested shots you guys will win.

Just ordered two student tickets, which I believe is the same section as the billiken club ones, and I was also told they are at midcourt.

Sorry missed it

Maybe I missed the thread but does no one else think ESPN reporting that Butler is reaching out to the A-10 about the possibility of replacing Temple is a huge deal.T As long as Stevens stays at Butler they will be very competitive. We'd be trading one great mid-major for another and even better it would be a potential regional rivalry for SLU. Now back to how we'll beat Memphis...

Memphis has been destroying ppl as of late...last 7 games have been 18+ pt blowouts. But RickMa is 10-1 in first round games. In rick I trust.

Thanks! Although the link on the NCAA for full session tickets seems to be working but I haven't tried checking out.

I'm a little confused. Has the NCAA released Session 2 tickets for Friday yet?

Of the high seeds, I think Mizzou is our best matchup because we can play 3 or 4 guards too and they don't have a huge shotblocker in the middle that gives us problems. I just can't see us having anyone who could stop a Sullinger, Green, Zeller, or Robinson.

I think there's a chance ET could get minutes just because he's supposed to be a pure shooter who can be a zone buster. Many of us thought the combination of Barnett and KC could be consistent 3 pt threats this year but that didn't exactly pan out. Cody has turned himself into a very good player because he has found ways to score whenever he's not shooting well. I don't think 3 pt shooting is a weakness of this team but we do not have anyone shooting at 40% or above for the season. If he can step in and be that guy that is automatic from 3 that we've have not really had the last few years I could see him getting occasional minutes. Of course, the bottom line with RM is how well you defend so that will be the real determiner if he gets PT or not.

Roommate made the comment that he thought this was the most school pride he's seen since we've been at SLU

Xavier only up 1 with 4 to play

Line still out the door now. About a half hour wait but of course that will happen when you have one person working and they're not doing it electronically.

Or maybe the billikens improve bc of all the practice over break and it shows in the second half of the season...

They've already won more games than last year, although that's not saying much. I think the most frustrating thing is that there is a decent amount of talent on this team. I think they've lost like four games by 1 pt. From what I've seen there's just too many mental mistakes and turnovers. They somehow overcame 28 turnovers on Sunday to win. Obviously that falls back on the coach in the end.

Something no one has mentioned is that our coaching staff should be much more stable this summer than last summer. Last summer we had Moser leaving, Jensen leaving, and Rick dealing with his mother's death. Having all our coaches around this summer can only help our player development.

Conklin was such a slow punk that he went for 20 and 9...makes sense

Some factors that would decide the game: 1. Can our guards handle their speed? We're better at slowing the game down to a snail's pace than anyone but Mizzou would be the fastest backcourt we would face all year. I'm not so sure we'd be able to limit penetration after watching Kwamain try to guard Nova's point guard and struggle and Kyle athletically isn't on the same level as Dixon, Denmon, English, or Pressey. Jett would be a player to watch because he has turned into our lock down defender of opposing guards this year. 2. Do they have anyone that can guard Conklin? Ratlife is a good player but has a knack for getting in foul trouble and their front line has no depth to it. Moore has played a couple decent games for them this year but overall he is a below average D1 player. 3. The man to man matchups in this game are very interesting. There is no one on Mizzou that Rob can guard but if we play Dwayne and Conk at the same time I don't think they have two guys who can match up with that pair. Personally I think if SLU played zone Mizzou would struggle with our length but we all know that isn't going to happen. 4. Shooting (obvious I know). If either of these teams are hot on a given night they're both nearly impossible to beat because they both have 5 guys+ that can knock it down from deep. 5. Preparation time. If the teams have a week to prepare for the game it definitely benefits SLU bc Majerus is a much better X's and O's guy than Haith in my opinion. Having watched both teams quite a bit it's darn hard for me to make a prediction. Mizzou has looked like a final four team at times this year but after last year I just don't trust them. They haven't played much competition but the decent teams they have played they have absolutely routed which has to count for something. I keep waiting for Mizzou to resort back to their former selves and it happened the second half against Illinois. It became the Phil Pressey show and there was 0 ball movement. Most disappointing to me was Haith called a timeout to set up a set and all they ran was a high pick for Presey which was the same play that had got them in trouble the last 10 minutes. Then again it was the first close game Mizzou had played all year and there is always some nerves associated with that. Partially influenced by the bad taste in my mouth from the second half of the Illinois game and the fact that I'm a Bill at heart I'll take SLU by 4

Announcer is a man of his word...announced Conk and Kyle as graduates working on MBA

Not even peanuts since games are now free for students. I understand your premise but the student section for Portland was one of the better ones we've had since I've been here and that was with us playing a lackluster opponent. Amazing how many kids are suddenly big fans when we become ranked.

Yearly invasion of Missouri State fans before that game always made for an entertaining week on the board.