Saint Louis Billikens
2023–24 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team
UniversitySaint Louis University
Head coachTravis Ford (8th season)
ConferenceAtlantic 10
LocationSt. Louis, Missouri
ArenaChaifetz Arena
(Capacity: 10,600)
NicknameBillikens
Student sectionSLUnatics
ColorsSLU blue and white[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away


NCAA tournament Elite Eight
1952
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1952, 1957
NCAA tournament round of 32
1995, 1998, 2012, 2013, 2014
NCAA tournament appearances
1952, 1957, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019
Conference tournament champions
2000, 2013, 2019
Conference regular season champions
1947, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1971, 2013, 2014

The Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Saint Louis University. They compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The head coaching position is currently held by Travis Ford.[2] Chaifetz Arena is home to the Billikens. The Billikens have reached the championship game of the NIT tournament four times and have won it once (1948). They have appeared in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament ten times, most recently in 2019.

History

Rick Majerus era

On April 27, 2007, Rick Majerus accepted the head coaching position. His tenure at SLU got off to a rocky start; in their first conference game, the Billikens set an NCAA Division I record for fewest points scored in a game in the modern era of college basketball, losing 49–20 to George Washington.[3] However, as he had done previously at other programs, Majerus eventually made SLU a winning program. In 2012, he led the Billikens to their first NCAA Tournament in 12 years, and their first appearance in a major poll in 17 years.

On August 24, 2012, Majerus announced he would not coach the 2012–13 season due to serious heart problems.[4] Jim Crews, one of his assistants, took over for him on a temporary basis for that season.[5] On November 16, it was announced that Majerus was retiring when it was apparent that his heart condition would not improve enough to allow him to return.[6]

Majerus compiled a 95–69 (.579) record at St. Louis University and retired with an overall NCAA record of 517–215 (.706).

Jim Crews era

A Billikens men's basketball player dribbles the ball during the 2016 Atlantic 10 men's basketball tournament

Jim Crews was promoted to head coach after serving on an interim basis following the health concerns and eventual death of Majerus. He was on Majerus' staff since 2011. After leading the Billikens to a school-record 28 wins, Crews was formally named SLU's 25th head coach on April 12, 2013. He was fired after the 2016 Atlantic 10 tournament resulted in the elimination of the Billikens and marked the end of two 11–21 Billikens seasons.[7] Crews was paid a $1.86 million buyout in 2016-17, according to tax forms.[8]

Travis Ford era

On March 30, 2016, Saint Louis University announced that Travis Ford has been hired as the head basketball coach.[9] He inherited a Billikens team that had gone a disappointing 11–21 each of the previous two seasons under Jim Crews.[10] Due to a lack of talent from the previous regime, SLU was predicted to finish dead last of the Atlantic 10 conference during the 2016–17 season.[11] Basketball statistician Ken Pomeroy predicted the Billikens as the team most likely to go winless throughout its conference schedule.[12] Ford led the Billikens to six Atlantic 10 conference wins and a 12–21 overall record.[13]

Postseason appearances

NCAA tournament results

The Billikens have appeared in ten NCAA Tournaments. Their combined record is 6–11.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1952Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		New Mexico State
Kansas		W 62–53
L 55–74
1957Sweet Sixteen
Regional 3rd Place Game		Oklahoma City
SMU		L 66–75
L 68–78
1994#7First Round#10 MarylandL 66–74
1995#9First Round
Second Round		#8 Minnesota
#1 Wake Forest		W 64–61OT
L 59–64
1998#10First Round
Second Round		#7 UMass
#2 Kentucky		W 51–46
L 61–88
2000#9First Round#8 UtahL 45–48
2012#9First Round
Second Round		#8 Memphis
#1 Michigan State		W 61–54
L 61–65
2013#4First Round
Second Round		#13 New Mexico State
#12 Oregon		W 64–44
L 57–74
2014#5First Round
Second Round		#12 NC State
#4 Louisville		W 83–80OT
L 51–66
2019#13First Round#4 Virginia TechL 52–66

NIT results

The Billikens have appeared in 20 National Invitation Tournaments (NIT). Their combined record is 18–19. They were NIT champions in 1948 and runner-up in 1961, 1989, and 1990.

Year Round Opponent Result
1948Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals		Bowling Green
Western Kentucky
NYU		W 69–53
W 60–53
W 65–52
1949QuarterfinalsBowling GreenL 74–80
1951First Round
Quarterfinals		La Salle
BYU		W 73–61
L 68–75
1952QuarterfinalsDaytonL 58–68
1953First RoundSt. John'sL 66–81
1955First Round
Quarterfinals		Connecticut
Dayton		W 110–103
L 81–97
1956First RoundXavierL 80–84
1959QuarterfinalsProvidenceL 72–75
1960QuarterfinalsProvidenceL 53–64
1961First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals		Miami (FL)
Colorado State
Dayton
Providence		W 58–56
W 59–53
W 67–60
L 59–62
1963QuarterfinalsMarquetteL 49–84
1965First RoundArmyL 66–70
1987First Round
Second Round		Saint Peter's
Southern Miss		W 76–60
L 78–83
1989First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals		Southern Illinois
Wisconsin
New Mexico
Michigan State
St. John's		W 87–54
W 73–68
W 66–65
W 74–64
L 65–73
1990First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals		Kent State
Green Bay
DePaul
New Mexico
Vanderbilt		W 85–74
W 58–54
W 54–47
W 80–73
L 72–74
1996First RoundMinnesotaL 52–68
2003First RoundMinnesotaL 52–62
2004First Round
Second Round		Iowa
Notre Dame		W 70–69
L 66–77
2021First RoundMississippi StateL 68–74
2022First RoundNorthern IowaL 68–80

CBI results

The Billikens have appeared in one College Basketball Invitational (CBI). Their record is 3–2 and they were the CBI runnerup in their only appearance.

Year Round Opponent Result
2010First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals Game 1
Finals Game 2		Indiana State
Green Bay
Princeton
VCU
VCU		W 63–54
W 68–62 2OT
W 69–59
L 56–68
L 65–71

Individual honors

Retired numbers

Ed Macauley is the only Billiken whose number (#50) is retired
Saint Louis Billikens retired numbers
No. Player Pos. Career Ref.
50Ed MacauleyC / PF1945–1949[14]

Honored jerseys

Jerseys were honored/retired, but numbers remained active and can be chosen by future players

No. Player Pos. Career Ref.
24Dick BoushkaF1951–1955[14]
34Anthony BonnerPF / SF1986–1990[14]
43Bob FerryPF / C1956–1959[14]

Home courts

  • 1915, 1917 Muegge's Gymnasium (Grand Ave. and Hickory St.)
  • 1919–1920 Rock Springs Turner Hall (Boyle Ave. and Chouteau Ave.)
  • 1920–1921 College Hall
  • 1921–1922 First Regiment Armory and Macabee's Hall (911 Vandeventer Ave.)
  • 1922–1923 First Regiment Armory and Battery A Armory (1 game)
  • 1923–1924 First Regiment Armory
  • 1924–1925 SLUH Gymnasium
  • 1925–1926 First Regiment Armory, SLUH Gymnasium and St. Louis Coliseum
  • 1926–1945 St. Louis University Gymnasium (West Pine Gym)
  • 1945–1968 Kiel Auditorium
  • 1968–1973 St. Louis Arena
  • 1973–1991 Kiel Auditorium
  • 1991–1994 St. Louis Arena
  • 1994–2008 Scottrade Center (Kiel Center, Savvis Center)
  • 2008–present Chaifetz Arena

Billikens in the pros

Player Attended SLU Current team Years played professionally
Marque Perry 1999–2003 BG Göttingen 2003–2015
Itzik Ohanon 2002–2005 Ironi Ramat Gan 1999–2011
Ian Vouyoukas 2003–2007 Ionikos Nikaias B.C. 2007–present
Marcus Relphorde 2007–2008 (Transferred to Colorado) Poiters 2011–present
Kevin Lisch 2005–2009 Sydney Kings[15] 2009–2020
Brian Conklin 2008–2012 Yalovaspor BK 2012–present
Cory Remekun 2009–2013 Caen Basket Calvados 2013–2019
Kwamain Mitchell 2008–2013 Fribourg Olympic 2013–present
Cody Ellis 2009–2013 Illawarra Hawks 2013–2018
Dwayne Evans 2010–2014 Ryukyu Golden Kings 2014–present
Jordair Jett 2010–2014 Nelson Giants 2014–2019
Mike McCall Jr. 2010–2014 Cheshire Phoenix 2014–present
Rob Loe 2010–2014 New Zealand Breakers 2014–present
Reggie Agbeko 2013–2017 Zornotza ST 2017–present
Ash Yacoubou 2013–2016 Plateros de Fresnillo 2018–present
Davell Roby 2014–2018 BC Brno 2018–2021
Javon Bess 2017–2019 Tindastóll 2019–present
D.J. Foreman 2017–2019 Fjölnir 2019–present
Tramaine Isabell 2018–2019 KK Dubrava 2019–present
Jordan Goodwin 2017–2021 Washington Wizards 2021–present
Hasahn French 2017–2021 Krka 2021–present
Billikens in the NBA and ABA
Player Attended SLU Team(s) Year(s) played
D.C. Wilcutt 1944–1948 St. Louis Bombers 1949–1950
Marv Schatzman 1947–1949 Baltimore Bullets 1950
Ed "Easy Ed" Macauley 1945–1949 St. Louis Bombers, Boston Celtics, St. Louis Hawks 1950–1959
Bevo Nordmann 1958–1961 Cincinnati Royals, St. Louis Hawks, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics 1962–1965
Richard Parks 1964–1966 Pittsburgh Pipers 1968
Bob Ferry 1956–1959 St. Louis Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Baltimore Bullets 1960–1969
Don Dee 1962–1964 Indiana Pacers 1968–1969
Barry Orms 1965–1968 Baltimore Bullets, Indiana Pacers, Pittsburgh Pipers 1969–1970
Rich Niemann 1965–1968 Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Carolina Cougars, The Floridians, Dallas Chaparrals 1969–1972
Gene Moore 1965–1968 Kentucky Colonels, Dallas Chaparrals, New York Nets, San Diego Conquistadors, Spirits of St. Louis 1969–1975
Harry Rogers 1970–1973 Spirits of St. Louis 1976
Robin Jones 1972–1975 Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets 1977–1978
David Burns 1979–1981 New Jersey Nets, Denver Nuggets 1982
Anthony Bonner 1986–1990 Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic 1991–1996
Larry Hughes 1997–1998 Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Charlotte Bobcats, Orlando Magic 1999–2012
Willie Reed 2008–2010 Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons 2015–2018
Jordan Goodwin 2017-2021 Washington Wizards 2021-present

Career statistical leaders

Points

  • 1) 1,972 – Anthony Bonner, 6' 8" F, 1986–1990
  • 2) 1,910 – Erwin Claggett, 6' 1" G, 1991–1995
  • 3) 1,880 – Roland Gray, 6' 5" F, 1985–1989
  • 4) 1,877 – Monroe Douglass, 6' 4" G, 1985–1989
  • 5) 1,703 – Scott Highmark, 6' 5" F, 1991–1995
  • 6) 1,687 – Kevin Lisch, 6' 2" G, 2005–2009
  • 7) 1,575 – Kwamain Mitchell, 5' 10" G, 2008–2013
  • 8) 1,547 – Tommie Liddell III, 6' 4" G, 2005–2009
  • 9) 1,499 – Dwayne Evans, 6' 6" F, 2010–2014
  • 10) 1,491 – Harry Rogers, 6' 7" F, 1970–1973

Rebounds

  • 1) 1,424 – Anthony Bonner, 6' 8" F, 1986–1990
  • 2) 1,157 – Jerry Koch, 6' 4" F, 1952–1955
  • 3) 1,128 – Jim McLaughlin, 6' 4" F, 1953–1956
  • 4) 998 – Jordan Goodwin, 6' 3" G, 2017–2021
  • 5) 982 – Hasahn French, 6' 7" F, 2017–2021

Assists

  • 1) 878 – Yuri Collins, 6' 0" G, 2019–2023
  • 2) 436 – Josh Fisher, 6' 2" G, 2001–2004
  • 3) 424 – Charles Newberry, 6' 3" G, 1987–1990
  • 4) 422 – Jordair Jett, 6' 1" G, 2010–2014
  • 5) 420 – Kwamain Mitchell, 5' 10" G, 2008–2013

Steals

  • 1) 225 – Jordan Goodwin, 6' 3" G, 2017–2021
  • 2) 192 – Anthony Bonner, 6' 8" F, 1986–1990
  • 3) 179 – Josh Fisher, 6' 2" G, 2001–2004
  • 4) 176 – Yuri Collins, 6' 0" G, 2019–2023
  • 5) 174 – Jordair Jett, 6' 1" G, 2010–2014

Blocks

  • 1) 226 – Hasahn French, 6' 7" F, 2017–2021
  • 2) 135 – Ian Vouyoukas, 6' 11" C, 2003–2007
  • 3) 127 – Melvin Robinson, 7' 0" C, 1989–1992
  • 4) 113 – Cory Remekun, 6' 9" F, 2009–2013
  • 4) 113 – Willie Reed, 6' 11" F, 2008–2010

References

  1. ↑ "Colors and Fonts". Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Travis Ford Tabbed Men's Basketball Coach". slubillikens.com. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  3. ↑ "Saint Louis sets modern record for fewest points in 49-20 loss to George Washington". ESPN.com.
  4. ↑ Held, Kevin. "Rick Majerus to sit out 2012-13 season with health issues". Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Majerus takes medical leave at SLU, won't coach 2012-13". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. August 24, 2012.
  6. ↑ Rick Majerus won't return to SLU. ESPN, 2012-11-16.
  7. ↑ Saint Louis fires Jim Crews
  8. ↑ "Illinois, Mizzou, SLU hope record pay results in big hoops payoff".
  9. ↑ "Travis Ford Tabbed Men's Basketball Coach". Saint Louis University. March 30, 2016. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
  10. ↑ Durando, Stu. "Travis Ford will be hired as new SLU coach". stltoday.com. Retrieved 2017-06-02.
  11. ↑ "Flyers Picked to Win 2016-17 Men's Basketball". Atlantic10.com. Retrieved 2017-06-02.
  12. ↑ "The most likely winless teams | The kenpom.com blog". kenpom.com. Retrieved 2017-06-02.
  13. ↑ "Men's Basketball – Schedule – SLUBillikens.com – The Official Athletics Website of Saint Louis University". www.slubillikens.com. Retrieved 2017-06-02.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Retired Numbers and Jerseys at SLBillikens.com
  15. ↑ "Kevin Lisch | Basketball Australia". www.basketball.net.au. Retrieved 2017-01-25.
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