A-10 Hate SLU

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Rick Majerus hates being in the Atlantic 10 conference.

I'm sure the feeling is mutual.

It has been well documented that the Billikens head coach has some issues with SLU's membership in the league.  His points are are legit.  Travel limitations put the Billikens behind the eight ball athletically and more importantly academically.  But even with those limitations SLU has made a mess of the A-10.

The league had it all figured out.  The "haves" of the league were rolling and the Atlantic 10 was going to get five, maybe six teams, into the NCAA tournament.  Then the Billikens said,"Uh, not so fast.  Sure we're young but we came to play."  And that they have.  SLU beat Dayton and Rhode Island and sent them on a downward spiral... suddenly on the outside of the bubble.

How has St. Louis U. done it?  That's a broad question.  But each piece to the puzzle has come along in baby steps.  Kwamain Mitchell has been the constant.  Willie Reed became part number two, inside.  Then Cody Ellis gets off the boat ready to play and the Billikens have three threats every night.  And now Kyle Cassity has emerged.  Check these numbers.  Cassity is averaging 13.6 ppg in his last three to go with 7 of ten shooting from three point range.

Add that to Mitchell's 15 per game in his last three...Reed's 12 per game in his last two...and Ellis' 12 per game in his last 6 and you have an offensive mix that forces the opposition to play it straight.  Plus others, in particular Christian Salecich, are finding their moments to contribute every night.

And while all of this is great, it actually starts with the defense.  There is no doubt that the improved defense has keyed the offensive side of the court.  The Billikens have guarded the 'three' well all season long.  But now the improvement on stopping dribble penetration is putting SLU solidly in the top ten in scoring defense in the nation.

It would be alot to ask the Billikens to finish at the top of the league this season.  But the big boys (Xavier & Temple) are coming to Chaifetz...It's fun to play games that really matter...isn't it?

So for the rest of the A-10...don't hate the playa...well, you know.