After just one significant week of college basketball, the top
25 already has the looks of a cut and paste over the preseason
rankings.
And with everyone in the top five, except Kansas, suffering a
loss in their early action, the season long contest of ‘go-fish for
number one’ has begun.
As is now so glaringly apparent, for the most part, basketball
polls mean very little at this stage of the season.
After all, this time last year, Syracuse wasn’t even
ranked–much can and will change. Yet, regardless of their
unimportance, early season top dogs can certainly make for some
entertaining match-ups.
As was the case this Thanksgiving weekend, some of the hottest
action involved names that our own Bills will be hearing next
several days.
Eighth ranked Arizona, who Saint Louis University faces at home
on Saturday, was downed in a shootout last weekend with the Florida
Gators. Just seven days later SLU faces Georgia Tech, who
catapulted themselves into the national spotlight by winning the
preseason NIT–knocking off the likes of then top ranked
Connecticut and Bob Knight’s Texas Tech along the way.
This makes for a refreshingly interesting development in SLU’s
out-of-conference calendar.
Ever since the smarmily craven Quinn Snyder removed the Bills
from Mizzou’s schedule in fear of further damaging his already
mottled recruiting reputation throughout the St. Louis area, SLU
hasn’t had many attractive December fixtures.
Now, sans the highly overrated Tigers, the Bills will be offered
a chance to flex their muscles against teams with an actual
precedent of accomplishment.
Even with the loss, Arizona’s proved their talent is among the
best in the nation.
Florida barely pulled off a one-point victory over the Wildcats
that came on the heels of lights out three-point shooting by
sophomore Matt Walsh.
Unlike Arizona, Georgia Tech started the season as unranked
cannon fodder for the Huskies.
They quickly turned the tables and convincingly threw down UConn
by 16 points and afforded the Red Raiders a similar beating two
nights later. Both now lie in waiting for the Bills.
After last night’s loss, SLU now stands at an admirable 3-1.
While their three wins came against opponents who, for lack of a
better way to say it, were something to be sneezed at; the Bill’s
margin of victory certainly was not–twice landing in excess of 30
points.
With Sloan quickly stepping into his role as the go-to
guy–already averaging 15 ppg–Josh Fisher making solid
contributions and transfer Reggie Bryant within a few short games
of becoming eligible, the Bills have reason to be confident.
Still, it will be difficult to deal this immensely talented
Arizona team a consecutive loss.
They are a squad that runs nine deep and has already broken the
century mark in scoring this season, but still give the impression
they have yet to hit full-stride in their offensive potential with
stars such as Salim Stoudamire remaining relatively quiet in the
first two games.
Likewise, the Yellow Jackets have unassumingly run down their
first five opponents with ease.
At 15th in the nation, they aren’t really a secret anymore; but
with the way they have been playing the element of surprise may not
much matter.
These Bills have the swagger of a team opposing coaches remind
their players not to ‘look past,’ but, in spite of any such caveat,
can fall into making some fatal errors.
SLU will have to take advantage of every such mistake that comes
their way or the likes of Channing Frye and BJ Elder will have no
trouble rolling out double-digit wins.
These are by no means make-or-break games; but SLU’s performance
will dictate where they stand against the nation’s top
competition.
This week marks a prime opportunity for the Bills to make a name
for themselves that will be remembered in March.
Even one win in the next two games would be a nice step towards
the next level.
