Kent State steam rolled through the Saint Louis University men’s basketball team at home Wednesday, Nov. 28, defeating the Billikens 81-40.
The Golden Flashes shot 72.7 percent in the first half in building a 20-point lead and eased to the victory. Kevin Lisch and Paul Eckerle led the Billikens (5-3) with eight points each. The team is still optimistic about its chances in conference this year.
Men’s Basketball Coach Rick Majerus gets his first chance at coaching in the Atlantic 10 Conference when league play begins in January. He said his newness to the conference will not affect his approach to coaching.
“Our focus will be the same as it would be in any conference,” Majerus said. “We must take care of the ball.”
In preseason, both the news media and coaches predicted SLU would finish fifth in the A-10 conference this year. Kevin Lisch and Tommy Liddell were selected for second team all-conference; Lisch also made first team defense All-Conference in preseason voting.
Last season, the men’s team went 8-8 in conference play and 7-1 at the Scottrade Center. This year, Xavier highlights the home conference. That will increase the excitement over the pivotal game.
“To be playing Xavier at home, that’s tremendous,” said Robert Moehle, host of KSLU’s weekly sports show. “We’ll be facing our toughest opponent in front of our fans. That makes this game very important for our team.”
Moehle said he expects Xavier to contend for the A-10 title against Rhode Island, and predicts SLU will probably finish third in conference play. He also urges fans to be patient with Majerus and hold back criticism of the coach until the team has had time to adjust to the changes in the basketball program.
“He’s new to the program, and the changes aren’t going to happen overnight,” Moehle said. “Will we see improvement? Definitely. But you have to give Majerus time to work with the program.
“We, [the fans], have to show our support this year no matter what. But, I definitely think we’ll be in the Dance [NCAA Tournament] in less than five years,” Mahle said.
That is obviously the goal both Majerus and the Bills want to meet. But for now, the coach has other concerns. Majerus said that his focus will be “on playing ball well and developing the team.”
“I want a committed team that shows passion, purpose and play,” Majerus said. “I want these players committed to the coaches and their fellow players; without that, we cannot be the best.”
Majerus also hopes his team will not “beat themselves” in conference play. He says that is the most critical part to a team’s success. He doesn’t expect to begin focusing on the conference race until January, citing “more important challenges” to face in the more immediate future.
Junior guard Lisch shares Majerus’ goals for the team. “Every team goes out and says, ‘We want to be No. 1, win conference, win the championship’ . and while that’s great, I want to be the most competitive,” Lisch said. “I want [SLU] to be the toughest physically and mentally, so we can win games.”
Lisch said that will involve support from team members and giving support to Majerus and the new system at practice. He won’t predict, however, how SLU will do in conference.
“There are so many games . to anticipate, like Xavier,” Lisch said. “But I don’t circle one. Coach wants us looking at every game, and I just want to enjoy playing.”
