As many of you know, I have been broadcasting Saint Louis University basketball games for the past 22 years.
I have enjoyed every moment of those 22 years at SLU, but there is something very special brewing with the 2012-13 Billikens.
In a season full of adversity and sadness, the Billikens have emerged as a tremendous feel-good story while becoming one of the top teams in college basketball.
Entering this week’s action, SLU is currently 21-5 and in first place in the Atlantic 10 conference. The Bills took a nine-game winning streak into last night’s home contest against St. Joseph’s. For the first time this season, SLU has entered the national rankings. The Billikens are ranked No. 18 in the AP poll, No. 19 in the Coaches Poll and No. 18 in the CBS Sports.com poll.
It has been a beautiful thing to watch because these young men truly play as a team and play for each other. That team play has enabled them to knock off four ranked teams in one season for the first time in the program’s history. SLU has defeated Butler twice, Virginia Commonwealth and New Mexico. The Chaifetz Arena is beginning to rock with regularity and the national pundits are starting to take notice.
There were several bumps in the road early in the season; none bigger than the passing of Hall of Fame coach Rick Majerus, who recruited all of these players to SLU. Several key injuries also tested the team’s resolve along the way, but they stayed the course and responded with two nine-game winning streaks.
So much credit has to go to interim coach Jim Crews, who stepped in and navigated the Billikens through all of their early-season storms. Now, the Billikens are in position to win their first conference championship in more than 40 years.
The formula for the Billikens’ success has been simple. Play lots and lots of defense and play together at all times. On offense, they Bills move the ball and always find the open man. They care little about who gets the points or the credit. It is all about team. I’m an old-school guy, so I love that kind of basketball. It is still winning basketball to me and it’s a joy to call it on the radio every night.
On defense, they come at you like a fierce pack of wolves on every possession. They literally guard you for the full 40 minutes and that eventually wears on a team. As one Philadelphia columnist wrote about the Billikens defense last season. “The Billikens are the guy that always parks in your parking space at work. He is the guy that is sitting next to you at the bar and takes a straw and starts to stir your drink for you.”
Our guys are quite bothersome that way. This is not a group of McDonald’s All-Americans and “one-and-dones” just stopping through on their way to the NBA. This is a group of young men who believe in each other and believe that maximum effort and focus on defense and the small details will make it happen. So far, it has.
It all starts with the backcourt trio of Kwamain Mitchell, Mike McCall, Jr. and Jordair Jett. All three are quick, relentless and tough to stop in the open court. Junior forward Dwayne Evans is a force in the paint despite standing only 6 feet 5 inches tall. Big men Cody Ellis and Rob Loe stretch opposing defenses with 3-point shooting while Cory Remekun and Grandy Glaze provide physical play inside. Junior guard Jake Barnett has emerged as another offensive threat off the bench with his 3-point shooting.
Last season, the Billikens broke through with a 26-8 season and a berth in the NCAA Tournament after a 12-year absence from the Big Dance. During the summer, Majerus said that this year’s team was going to be better. Some scoffed, but the big man is turning out to be prophetic on this one. He would be loving this team right about now. He wouldn’t tell you that, but he would love it.
As are we. Hopefully, the ride will continue into the month of March. It has been very special to watch.
