Photo Credit: Mick Lite/Arch City Media

Hasahn French Dominates as the SLU Billikens Stay Undefeated

by W.E. Sauls November 14, 2019

written by W.E. Sauls November 14, 2019

Highlight reel dunks, ice cold threes…these are your Billikens.

In Washington they talk about political capital. How much good will you can cash in after an election, or a win of any sort. If there is such a thing in College Sports, the Saint Louis University Billikens are riding a wave of basketball capital into the 2019-2020 season. Coming off an A-10 tourney title and their first trip to the Dance in half a decade they’ve looked strong, sharpe, and ready to earn a little more capital as the skies turn to winter.

Arriving at Chaifetz on a frozen Tuesday night were the Eastern Washington Eagles to take their best swing at the 2-0 Bills. Did the birds have what it would take to upset SLU? Or, could SLU do what it needs to do to beat a team they are supposed to beat? During the Travis Ford tenure the issue with SLU has never been effort or intensity. The one constant has been shooting percentage from deep and from the free throw line. Early returns are mixed. After just two contests the Billikens were shooting a healthy 37.5% from three, but a worrisome 56.8% from the line.

15 Feet is a Treacherous Distance

We’ll start with the bad. SLU drew fouls, and got to the line…but even the best laid plans of mice and Billikens. The 1st half, 1-12. 8.3%. It can’t get worse…and thankfully it didn’t. In the second the rock began to drop and the Bills went 11-16 from the stripe for an astounding 68%. I’ve written enough about the free throws…I can bare to write no more.

The Threes Did Indeed Fall

The two biggest eyeball test differences between the last two seasons and this one…pace of play and that the threes are shot by almost everyone…and stroked with confidence. Overall they were 8-21, a 38.1% clip. If that is where they stay for the season…and if they shoot throws like they did in the final 20 minutes…we’re looking at another springtime waltz in the STL.

Actionable Takeaway

The young guns look good together. Yuri Collins is a pure point guard, Weaver carries himself like a man that does not scare, Jimerson can…shoot…that…thang. Weaver was pulling fifteen footers like he was a skinny David West, Jimmy Bell Jr. walked out looking like Pick Miller, and Terrance Hargrove is two semesters away from having an NBA body. If these kids develop chemistry and play for each other like all Travis Ford teams do…the future is scary bright.

Just look at Hargrove here…

HIS HEAD IS AT THE RIM

https://twitter.com/FSMidwest/status/1194810734858756096

In the End

SLU did what they had to do against a team on the schedule this early in the season for a reason. They pushed their record to 3-0, destroyed a team they were supposed to destroy, and there was never any doubt. That is what you must do in early season get right games, and SLU answered the call. Hasahn French was a man amongst boys. He went an astonishing 9-11 from the field, ending the night with 19 points, 6 boards, 3 assists, and 2 blocks to take sole possession of the 2nd spot in SLU history for rejections. He was obviously, to anyone with eyes, the best player on the floor.

Time for the Big Boys

Sunday has 12th ranked Seton Hall coming to our fine city. That is the first true test. The first chance you will get to see what this team is, and has the potential to be. They will bring the intensity…the effort…and the tenacity. But…will the rock drop?? Only Sunday afternoon will give us the answers.

Until then…long live Hasahn French on the break.