As the weather grows colder, the hours of sunlight diminish, and the leaves on the trees form, it comes time for Saint Louis University to grasp the reality of winter in the Midwest.
No, soon enough that fierce winter will be a distant memory. I’m not saying that spring is at our fingertips. In fact, we are nowhere near seeing those leaves turn green and a 1990s rock band play at Spring Fever. However, I am saying that this winter, there is an escape from the winter chill, a place where the utilities are paid and working. That place is the Savvis Center, home of your men’s basketball team.
Only a few minutes from campus, and easily accessed via car or Billiken Bus Shuttle, the Savvis should be your home away from home this basketball season. I will assume that you would prefer I explain myself, being how SLU hasn’t put a winning season together since 1999-2000. Well, fortunately for all of us, I have a plethora of reasons supporting the logic of getting off your cans to see a legitimate Division-I NCAA basketball team play some of the country’s top programs.
The best reason to make it to the games is the price–free. If you go to the ticket office on campus the day of a game, all you have to do is whip out that handy school ID–you know, the small blue thing with your face on it that gets you those tasty meals at the various eating establishments on campus.
If a free ticket isn’t enough of an incentive, then maybe the fact that Bills games are easily accessed will open your eyes. Okay, so they don’t play on campus. You can be bitter if you wish, I give you permission. However, that’s no excuse. There are several alternatives to taking your car, if that’s your problem. There is the SLU shuttle that meets behind Gries, or, if you like to warm yourself up with a few brews before the game, Humphrey’s offers a shuttle to each game as well. Also, the Metrolink provides a straight shot to the base of the arena. Just ask one of those friendly Department of Public Safety officers for a ride to the station.
Now that I have the technical factors out of the way, let’s talk hoops. One reason to cheer on the Billikens this season is the new coach. Brad Soderberg has taken over the reigns and brings a fresh outlook on this upcoming season. Perhaps this new leadership will light a fire on this Billiken team, helping them come up with those close victories, which eluded them last year.
If your reason for not coming to a SLU game is the lack of quality on the court, you couldn’t be more wrong. The Billikens have a strong contingent of skilled players, but just to prove you even more wrong take a look at the competition. If you get it out to the games you will see some of the most exciting teams in the country, many of which you will see dancing in March. Marquette, DePaul, Louisville, Charlotte and Cincinnati post some of the nation’s top line-ups. Cincinnati is always making their mark in the top 10.
DePaul will prove once again that they are a formidable opponent. Charlotte is a perennial NCAA tournament team. Louisville is coached by the great Rick Pitino, and Marquette put together the Cinderella season that SLU is capable of creating this year.
Call me crazy, but I just said that SLU could possibly be wearing the glass slipper this season. It’s a little early to tell, but this team is a lot like what I was treated to as a freshman here.
This is a team with not much expectation, but a lot of heart; enough to stir-up a little havoc in the Conference USA Tournament. That is all it takes. A run at the end of the year and SLU will see itself on the NCAA selection show. This team is dedicated, fresh and anxious to make its mark on college basketball; just you watch.
