Slow down there, Chicken Little.
It would be foolish of me to try and convince you that the dismissal of two star basketball players does not have an adverse effect on our community. Losing your top scorer and your top rebounder would be a major blow, to any program. Let me use this space, then, to preach another message.
The sky is not falling. Saint Louis University basketball is going to be just fine.
I have been covering the rebirth of Billiken basketball since head coach Rick Majerus took over the dormant program in 2007. It has been a tumultuous ride: Majerus arrived in St. Louis in May and cleaned house; stars were let go and coaches were handed pink slips. That year, the team posted one more win than loss.
Slowly and meticulously, Majerus worked his magic. He brought in under-the-radar recruits to rebuild the brand and put SLU back in the ESPN spotlight.
Three years after his arrival, writers from Sports Illustrated to USA Today are buzzing about the resurgence of Billiken basketball, not to mentions the wonders of Majerus.
The big dream, a berth into the NCAA Tournament, elusive for the last 10 years, seemed so close to a reality. For the first time since joining, SLU was ready to rock the Atlantic 10 Conference.
All that changed last week. But all is not lost.
The last time I checked, and I could be wrong, but two players do not constitute a team. There are still 10 men who need our support. And there are still 10 players that believe the NCAA is within reach. SLU still has the ammunition to get there, too.
Here’s how the Billikens will get it done.
Junior Kyle Cassity will be handed the reins and likely the title of captain. Cassity can be a prolific shooter, but he’s tended to be a giver, not a taker.
That will come in handy, too, because the young guard will have to direct the offense, as well as take deep shots. Part of his cast will include Christian Salecich and Cody Ellis, who will both have to become more comfortable with the ball.
Let’s not forget the excellent Paul Eckerle, who has been a great teacher for this young team.
On the defensive side, an untested leader will take charge and hopefully provide the fire underneath the net necessary to give SLU a chance. That player, Brian Conklin, is finally healthy and should show us why Majerus brought him here in the first place. I’m also hearing great things about sophomore Cory Remekun.
The biggest variable this season is not how the holes will be filled, but who will fill them. Majerus has brought in perhaps the most high profile class in SLU history in the new freshman class. We will get to see, in full force, how that class will perform on the court. There are plenty of minutes to go around.
Among the first to be tested are Mike McCall, Dwayne Evans and Rob Loe. Look for all three of these young men to be dominating forces starting as soon as the season starts. Indeed, the entire season may rest on the shoulders of the freshmen; the Billikens may rise and fall along with their progression.
Sound familiar?
I am not going to pretend that it will be an easy year for the SLU Billikens. But the team is optimistic, excited and more determined than ever to reach new heights. And with Majerus at the helm, they will have the guidance to do so.
This team is going to be just fine.
The sky’s not falling.
