Billiken4life5

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.

Backhand I sincerely hope that you don't bet any money on professional baseball....

Off the top of my head we've put up 5 runs every game except game 3 and even game 3 wasn't really a pitcher's duel with Hammels giving the Cards plenty of chance. I think this one will be a pitcher's duel and I don't think we can give up more than 2 and expect to win.

Carp vs Holliday for all the marbles...can't ask for more than that

If I were Manuel I think I'd go with Halladay in game 4 if the Cards take Game 3 but then if it goes to 5 Manuel has to decide between Oswalt on a week's rest or Lee who just got roughed up. For some reason I have a good feeling about Jackson winning Game 4 so hopefully Jaime gets the job done tomorrow and gives them a chance to finish it here.

Makes more sense...still have to beat two out of the three of Hammels, Oswalt, and Holliday which is always fun.

Not really seeing your pt...I'll take a split at their place anyday...

I also would have walked the bases full in the tenth after they got runners on first and third. Dotel isn't rushing as much if he has a force out.

Never said the Phillies are shaking at the idea of playing the Cards but the Phillies have lost 8 in a row while the Cards are 15-7 this month. You can't totally discount momentum. The '09 Cards showed that you can't sleepwalk through the end of the regular season and expect to flip the switch.

Manuel has already said he'll have all his starters in for the Braves series just like he did for the Cards series.