For the first time in seven years, the Saint Louis University Billikens will be participating in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
The Billikens (28-5) earned the No. 9 seed in the East Regional, where they will face No. 8 seed Georgia (22-10) from the Southeastern Conference on Thursday night in Buffalo, N.Y. Tip off is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. (CT). The winner will face the winner of the No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 16 seed UMBC/Howard in the second round on Saturday.
The Billikens learned their postseason plans at a public gathering of players, coaches, administrators, and hundreds of fans during a Selection Sunday Watch Party at Chaifetz Arena on Sunday evening.
The last time the Billikens were in the NCAA Tournament was in 2019 when they won the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament with a dramatic run of four victories in four days.
Under head coach Josh Schertz, the Billikens have made a dramatic turnaround, moving from last place in the A-10 to winning the regular season conference championship and tying a school record of 28 victories in just two seasons. The Billikens won a school record 15 games in Atlantic Conference play this season.
SLU also achieved several other accomplishments during the season, including a perfect 19-0 record at the Chaifetz Arena and an 18-game winning streak.
Senior center Robbie Avila was named the Player of the Year in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Guards Amari McCottry and former Pattonville High standout Kellen Thames were named to the Third Team. Senior guard Dion Brown was named to the All-Defensive Team while sophomore guard Ishan Sharma was named to the All-Academic Team.