There is something brewing in Midtown at Saint Louis University.
The men’s basketball program is enjoying its best start to the season in more than 30 years, and excitement is high for what the Billikens can accomplish in the next two months.
The Billikens entered this week with a 15-1 record, including a 3-0 mark in the Atlantic 10, which has them tied for first place with George Mason and Dayton.
Before hosting Fordham in an Atlantic 10 game Wednesday night, the Billikens came off a successful road trip last week with victories over VCU and La Salle. They defeated perennial Atlantic 10 power VCU 71-62 last Wednesday, which was the first time a Saint Louis University team has won at the Siegel Center in Richmond in 11 attempts. The Billikens followed with an 84-72 victory over La Salle last Saturday in Philadelphia.
In last week’s AP Top 25 poll, the Billikens received 14 votes. They also are receiving votes in the coaches poll.
In just his second year at the helm, coach Josh Schertz has the Billikens playing at a high level and earning national recognition. The Billikens are one of the most exciting teams to watch in the country with their fast-paced style and ability to score. They are averaging 92 points per game, with six players averaging in double figures.
In the Billikens’ conference opener on Dec. 31, they defeated St. Joseph’s 102-79 on a record-setting night at Chaifetz Arena. The Billikens made 19 3-pointers in the game, a single-game record. Crowds also are beginning to show up at Chaifetz Arena, as more than 9,000 people attended the St. Joseph’s game.
A familiar name to St. Louis-area fans is 6-foot-6 junior guard Kellen Thames, the son of former Jennings High and Missouri star Kelly Thames. Kellen Thames has made a name for himself as one of the most dynamic players in college basketball. He averages nearly 10 points per game off the bench and brings explosive athleticism and excitement when he enters the game. He scores, rebounds and plays strong defense, while also throwing down a number of show-stopping dunks. He has already been featured twice this season on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10. He had 18 points and 10 rebounds in the victory at VCU last Wednesday.
The strength of the Billikens this season has been their depth, as Schertz plays a nine-man rotation with all nine players capable of being the top scorer on a given night. The leading scorer is 6-foot-10 senior center Robbie Avila, who averages 12.9 points per game. Senior guard Dion Brown averages 11.9 points per game, and junior guard Trey Green averages 10.9.
Sophomore guard Amari McCottry averages 10.6 points per game, while junior Quentin Jones averages 10.6. Thames is next at 9.9 points, with Ishan Sharma and Brady Dunlap averaging 8.5 points and 7.7, respectively.
Principia to compete in Bass Pro Tournament of Champions
The Principia Panthers are ranked No. 2 in the nation in the latest MaxPreps boys basketball rankings. The Panthers will compete in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions this week in Springfield, Missouri.
The Tournament of Champions is an eight-team tournament that features several of the nation’s top teams, along with three teams from Missouri. Joining Principia in the field are Ozark region teams Kickapoo and Logan-Rogersville.
The tournament begins Thursday with four first-round games. Principia will play Kickapoo at 7:30 p.m. Marietta Wheeler (Georgia) will face Bartlett (Tennessee) at 4:30 p.m. No. 1-ranked Paul VI (Virginia) will play Logan-Rogersville at 6 p.m. St. John Bosco (California) will face Calvary Christian (Florida) at 9 p.m. The semifinals will be Friday night at 7:30 and 9 p.m. The championship game is set for Saturday at 8:30 p.m.