Home CollegeSLU Billikens The Billikens Go Spoonball To Drop St. Joe’s 68-57

The Billikens Go Spoonball To Drop St. Joe’s 68-57

by W.E. Sauls

13-4 and 4-0 in conference are numbers you dream of in October. But, in the midst of things, it never feels as good as it sounds. You remember every mistake, every turnover, and every missed opportunity. And with this St. Louis team, just about every single game has been a grind till the clock wound low.

Then, you see on the schedule another team you “should” beat in St. Joseph’s. 7-8 and 1-4 in conference. The only issue with “should wins” in the STL is that despite the fact that no matter the opponent the Billiken defense will keep them in the game… no matter the opponent…the SLU offense will keep that opponent in the game.

 

SLU Assault from Range

But hey, you never ever know what awaits after the ball goes up. The first half was something out of the Spoonball era. The Billikens jacked up 15 threes, dropping 6 of them, with 3 a piece from Dion Wiley and Javon Bess. My gut tells me that this is not any shift in offensive philosophy, but just an instance of taking what the defense is giving you. Though as a fan…it was a helluva lot more entertaining that usual.

But then…the halftime break makes mortals of us all. The shots stopped falling and the long grind set in. Travis Ford mercifully called a time out with 13:03 left in the half after the Bills started 1-12 from the floor, and the Hawks pulled to within 1 at 36-35. It looked like that old Billiken offense was going to rear its ugly head.

Then…boom. 8 points in about 30 seconds after a Wiley three, an Isabell 17 footer, and a Bess three on the break. This culminated in a 16-0 run after an insane play by Isabell on the break, another Wiley triple….and another Bess triple. This lead to a timeout….and that timeout led to another Bess three…a Bess layup…and Dion Wiley’s 6th 3 of the game.

It was an offensive clinic by SLU, and the best stretch of offensive basketball since Jordair Jett was running the 1. The best three point shooting since Claggs and Highmark. Just the best basketball in the state this year. Anytime you can get a whisper of Charlie Spoonhour, I’m a happy man.

The game slowed to the close, but it was fantastic while it lasted, and resulted in a 68-57 win for the Billikens. In the end the St. Louis headed to sleep on a frozen Friday night 10 games over .500 at 14-4, and 5-0 in the Atlantic 10.

 

Last Second Daggers

Hasahn French and another double double. It was his 4th in 6 games…Since the departure of Cart’are Gordon French has been as reliable as Lee Smith come the 9th inning.

Jordan Goodwin had 3 offensive boards on one possession. Seriously, this happened…a 6’2” guard grabbed 3 offensive rebounds on one possession and 5 total for the game to finish with a line of 7 points, 8 boards, and 5 dimes.

Tramaine Isabell assist off of a dive and steal. It happened fast. A tip on the defensive end…a sprint out and a full Pete Rose style dive to steal and tap the ball ahead all in one fluid motion to Jordan Goodwin for the lay in. All hustle, flair, and style at once in the midst of a 23-0 run.

Markell Lodge of St. Joe’s- If he doesn’t make it to the NBA, he needs to become the next Julio Jones. 6’7”, and what has to be less than 3% body fat, and an upper body off of a He-Man doll. Teach this dude a double move and a fly pattern.

Roland Gray- One of the Billiken greats was in the house Friday night. 1880 points, 811 boards, Billiken Hall-of-Famer, member of the All-Century team…and he still looks like he could average a double double in the Des Peres men’s league in his sleep.

Up next is a trip to Duquesne and another shot to keep this run of 6 wins in a row going. Then…the true test, Davidson comes to the STL next Saturday for the biggest A-10 matchup of the season. Is this the Billikens team the pundits picked to with the conference back in October? Are they a team that can keep draining triples at Scott Highmark levels? The next 8 days will tell us a lot.

Until then…long live Spoonball.

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