With just one game in the regular season to go, the Saint Louis Billikens have already provided plenty of great moments for fans. Undefeated at home this season, SLU has already secured the top seed in the upcoming A-10, a share of the A10 regular season championship, with a chance to win it outright this Saturday at George Mason, and provided countless scores of free hamburgers to Billikens fans. Yet, amidst the Senior Night festivities on Wednesday, one theme was constant: there’s still more work to do.
Josh Schertz and his SLU squad have their eyes set on racking up more accolades beyond just a share of the regular season title, and they can start by winning it outright with a win on the road against George Mason. Beyond that, the A10 Tournament and NCAA Tournament await. This Billikens team is the best positioned SLU team to reach the Sweet 16 since the Majerus era over 10 years ago, but they’ve scuffled in February, losing 2 of 3 in one stretch which was punctuated by a double-digit ArchBaron Cup loss at Dayton.
At 27-3, the Billikens have likely locked up an at-large bid regardless of what happens in the A10 Tournament. However, if they are going to go on a run in March like they clearly aim to, SLU is going to need to use tomorrow’s game at Mason and the A10 Tournament in Pittsburgh to build momentum for the NCAA Tournament. Since the Dayton loss, SLU has been playing better, but they haven’t reached the peaks of January, when they were looking like one of the most dangerous teams in the entire country.
The biggest issue with SLU in February is that A10 teams figured out how to counter the Billikens’ perimeter attack. At its best, SLU pummels teams into submission with a dizzying array of handoffs and flare screens and reversals, and teams did not have much of an answer at the start of conference play. In February, teams have been much more physical off-ball and more aggressive in working to deny the handoffs especially. Since the Dayton loss, SLU has shown some adaptations to counter this physicality, but they still are a team that can struggle with physicality and length.
The emergence of Paul Otieno down low could help SLU’s chances against long, athletic teams in March. He’s playing with much more confidence on offense, he is extremely laterally quick at 6’9 of pure muscle, and he’s the best rebounder on the team. The latter is particularly key as SLU’s defensive rebounding has faltered at times. SLU’s ability to bring different looks and personnel as a result of being 9 players deep can also be key for a tournament setting where teams have a limited time to scout.
Perhaps the biggest key for these coming games is SLU’s guards need to increase their physicality. Trey Green and Ishan Sharma need to be stronger fighting through holds and grabs to get to handoffs with Robbie Avila and Quentin Jones needs to be stronger taking the ball to the hoop.
From a player standpoint, Jones is the X-Factor for SLU finding its March ceiling. He’s a 6’5 point guard with top-tier athleticism and a great feel for the pick and roll. When he is rolling, SLU is rolling. It feels like Jones is still figuring out his role and has been inconsistent this year, which isn’t a huge surprise after coming from Northern Illinois, but if he can get to the hoop and draw fouls and embrace contact, SLU is a totally different team. If things can fully click for Jones, SLU’s chances of a deep March run increase that much. In terms of pure talent, Quentin Jones might be in the top 5 of the A10 and if the full package comes together, he will open some eyes.
It’s an exciting time to be a Billiken fan, but it is likely SLU will need to find that higher gear they had in January if they want to make noise this month. Fairfax, Pittsburgh and beyond awaits.
