Bounceback a Must For Weary Billikens

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There is no rest for the weary...literally. 

Coming off a two point loss against Xavier, in what was one of the best games we've seen in a while, the Billikens will face Duquesne on Saturday at the Jewel of Midtown.  It would be natural to assume that taking on the Dukes will take less of a concerted effort and it is a game that should be relatively easy to put in the books as a W.  Wrong again, jamtime breath.

The Bills took Duquesne to overtime in Pittsburgh before capturing a hard fought victory.  It won't be that easy this time.  Along with the Billikens, Duquesne has upset the natural order of things in the Atlnatic 10.  Ron Everhart's squad has won three in a row and four of five including wins at Charlotte and over Dayton.  In their last five the Dukes are averaging 86 points per game and have five players in double figures.  Six-five swingman Bill Clark has gone off to the tune of 9 of 19 from three in his last three averaging 21 a game.

This bunch loves to run, shoot and holler and lately they have done it all very well.  The Billikens can have no emotional or effort let down coming off the Xavier game.  Can they slow down the Duquesne offense and/or pick up their offense enough to keep up? Add to the pre-game anaysis milieu is the fact that Duquesne has had an entire week to prepare while the Billikens have not had even a day off this week.

What not too long ago seemed like a layup win now becomes a pivotal contest that can break either teams late season push.  The SLU fans need to understand what is at hand and not only bring the same intensity that we saw wednesday but actually elevate the madness.  The playeres and coaches insist that it matters.  I insist that we deliver.