The last time SLU played Davidson they scored 51 points, total. Last night in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament the Billikens scored 49 against George Washington, in the second half alone, to win 70-63. A win that keeps their season and hopes for post-season play alive to live another day.
Because of that monster second half SLU is now 11-3 when they score at least 70 points. 70 remains the magic number.
Tonight’s opponent is a different monster all together. Davidson is rested and ready after an entire week off due to a double bye in the A-10 Tourney. Davidson’s last game was a grind it out 63-61 victory over the 17th ranked Rhode Island Rams. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games and have their eyes squarely focused on the NCAA Tournament.
So, what are the Billikens to do to keep their season from dying on the vines of early March? No worries, I've solved the problem. It's a two-step process to guarantee victory and keep basketball season humming in the STL.
- They have to play defense like they did the last time they played Davidson: When these two last met on January third both were a game under .500 and still searching for what teams they were going to be. It was an ugly affair that finished with a combined 31 missed threes, 30 turnovers, 31 personal fouls, and a 54-51 Davidson victory. This barely constitutes an actual basketball game. The only bright spot for the Billikens was their defense. They stifled Davidson forcing 14 turnovers and holding the Wildcats to 4-23 from three. Play defense to that level and you’re halfway to the A-10 semi’s.
- They have to play offense like they did in the 2nd half last night: The tale of two halves and the tale of two teams has been the tale of the St. Louis University Billikens this entire 2017-18 season. Last night they looked dead in the water. 21 points in the first half is bad for a high school freshman game, let alone a Division 1 basketball game in March. But, as they have so many times, the Bills flipped some switch coming out of the locker room and smoked GW in the second half. They dropped 49 in the final 20 minutes of play and looked once again like a team that could make noise in any tournament. Play 40 minutes of offense to that level of efficiency and Davidson stands zero chance.
So, there you have it, the recipe for victory. As always, it’s easy in black and white, but when the blue and red go at in our nation’s capital at 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports tonight…well…even the best laid plans of mice and men.
