Staff writer Michael Johnson takes a look at four of the Billikens’ influential freshmen.

#51 – Rob Loe

Loe arrived on campus as the prize of the 2010 recruiting class. He is the tallest player on the Billiken’s roster at 6’11”, but what will make him particularly hard to defend is his shooting range. The forward can stroke it from well beyond the 3-point line.  He showed this ability by hitting three-pointers in both exhibition games. This will create matchup problems for opposing teams and headaches for coaches. Loe joins Cody Ellis and Christian Salecich as members of the basketball team who hail from the southern hemisphere. Loe was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and has playing experience against international competition. The sky is the limit for a player with Loe’s skill set, and it will be interesting to see how his game continues to develop at SLU.

#21 – Dwayne Evans

Evans has already made his presence felt for the Billikens.  He led the team with 12 point and 14 rebounds Saturday,  Nov. 6, in an exhibition against Nova Southeastern. The 6’5” swingman and native of Bolingbrook, Ill., attended Neuqua Valley High School. Evans was a Renaissance man on the court his senior year, averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds and three assists per game, along with 73 blocks and 61 steals on the season. His performance in SLU’s two exhibition games has undoubtedly earned him the opportunity to compete for a starting spot.  In high school, he was just as productive off the court, earning a spot on the honor roll every semester. Evan’s height and athletic ability should make him a valuable player on both ends of the floor for the Bills.

#11 – Mike McCall

McCall attended Foreman High School in Chicago, Ill., where he competed in the highly competitive Chicago Public Basketball League. He averaged 18 points and dished out five assists per game in his senior campaign, and guided his team to a 26-4 record. His shooting stroke can catch fire, as evidenced by a seven 3-pointer effort his junior season. McCall will not be a liability from the free-throw line; he shot a steady 79 percent from the charity stripe last year. Judging by his body of work in high school, he should have a very solid future in the SLU basketball program. With his potential for a hot hand, consistent free-throw shooting and high basketball IQ, expect McCall’s name to be a staple over the PA system at Chaifetz for the next four years.

#5 – Jordair Jett

The 6’1” guard out of Minneapolis, Minn., is a versatile and physical addition to the Billiken backcourt. Expect the 210lb. Jett to compete for a starting guard position throughout the season. His versatility was on display in a game his senior year, when he registered a quadruple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, 11assists and 10 steals.  Jett poured in over 1,000 points over his career at St. Bernard’s High School and led his senior squad to a birth in the Minnesota 2A state championship game.  Following his senior year of high school, he played a season at Notre Dame Prep in Finchburg, Mass., former team of the NBA’s No. 1 overall pick in 2008, Michael Beasley. Jett is a player who could have a major impact at SLU in his time wearing the blue and white.