It was the completion of a #FlawlessFebruary for the Billikens Wednesday as they topped St. Joseph’s for their tenth win in a row.
The Billikens found themselves ranked #18 in the AP poll and #19 in the Coaches poll this week after impressive wins over ranked VCU and Butler. The first half of this game wasn’t particularly #18 worthy, though, SLU ending the half with only a 2-point lead. The Bills pulled it together in a big way only in time for the second half but that’s all they needed to finish the month without a loss.
Dwayne Evans’ third double-double in six games led the team to their decisive victory, scoring 21 points and picking up 12 rebounds. Rob Loe followed suit with 11 points and 6 rebounds. Mike McCall Jr. was close behind with 10 points and 5 assists. The list goes on. That’s part of what makes this team great. There isn’t one ‘great’ player. There is a team of good players who have come together to create something special. And special is exactly what it’s become, the current streak capable of falling just short of the 14 game streak of 1993-94.
From a lay perspective, this special team works effortlessly. Yes, there are moments when you have to question what they’re doing but, for the most part, they work so cohesively and flawlessly that you don’t realize how good they are until it’s over, the game won, the score set. Maybe that’s the most impressive and, heading towards the end of the season, the most dangerous component of the Billikens. You shouldn’t underestimate this team, as they’ve proven, but you probably will anyway and they’re okay with it because that’s how they win.
After winning against VCU last week, the tweets and articles rolled in to stay grounded and remember that Butler is next, that St. Joseph’s is next, that Xavier is next, etc. etc. There were warnings about how fragile the spot at the top of the A-10 was and how hard they would need to play for the rest of the season to hold on to it. It wasn’t time to start the party yet, they said, and they were right. But it feels like the party is definitely on its way, maybe even in the form of a projected no.4 seed. Can we celebrate then?
Maybe it was these warnings or some questionable calls by the refs or even SJU’s seemingly underwhelmed mascot but this game didn’t have the spark that should come with Saint Louis in the position that they’re in. The Bills played well, evidenced by the 17 point win, but even the student section seemed quieter this time around, seemingly more intrigued by the monotonous flapping SJU Hawk mascot than the actual action on the court. The narrow lead at halftime didn’t help matters but this isn’t nor has it ever been a team to give up on (a trend that St. Louis sports teams have perfected).
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Can winning get old? Has SLU become so accustomed to winning that it’s no longer worthy of a constantly buzzing arena or the full student section singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ to celebrate a win?
Let’s hope that’s not the case as the Billikens look to continue this improbable season this March.
