Saint Louis Billikens | |||
---|---|---|---|
| |||
University | Saint Louis University | ||
Head coach | Josh Schertz (1st season) | ||
Conference | Atlantic 10 | ||
Location | St. Louis, Missouri | ||
Arena | Chaifetz Arena (capacity: 10,600) | ||
Nickname | Billikens | ||
Student section | SLUnatics | ||
Colors | SLU blue and white [1] | ||
Uniforms | |||
| |||
NCAA tournament Elite Eight | |||
1952 | |||
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen | |||
1952, 1957 | |||
NCAA tournament round of 32 | |||
1995, 1998, 2012, 2013, 2014 | |||
NCAA tournament appearances | |||
1952, 1957, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019 | |||
Conference tournament champions | |||
2000, 2013, 2019 | |||
Conference regular season champions | |||
1947, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1971, 2013, 2014 |
The Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Saint Louis University. They compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The head coaching position is currently filled by Josh Schertz. Chaifetz Arena is home to the Billikens. The Billikens have reached the championship game of the NIT tournament four times and have won it once (1948). They have appeared in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament ten times, most recently in 2019.
On April 27, 2007, Rick Majerus accepted the head coaching position. His tenure at SLU got off to a rocky start; in their first conference game, the Billikens set an NCAA Division I record for fewest points scored in a game in the modern era of college basketball, losing 49–20 to George Washington. [2] However, as he had done previously at other programs, Majerus eventually made SLU a winning program. In 2012, he led the Billikens to their first NCAA Tournament in 12 years, and their first appearance in a major poll in 17 years.
On August 24, 2012, Majerus announced he would not coach the 2012–13 season due to serious heart problems. [3] Jim Crews, one of his assistants, took over for him on a temporary basis for that season. [4] On November 16, it was announced that Majerus was retiring when it was apparent that his heart condition would not improve enough to allow him to return. [5]
Majerus compiled a 95–69 (.579) record at St. Louis University and retired with an overall NCAA record of 517–215 (.706).
Jim Crews was promoted to head coach after serving on an interim basis following the health concerns and eventual death of Majerus. He was on Majerus' staff since 2011. After leading the Billikens to a school-record 28 wins, Crews was formally named SLU's 25th head coach on April 12, 2013. He was fired after the 2016 Atlantic 10 tournament resulted in the elimination of the Billikens and marked the end of two 11–21 Billikens seasons. [6] Crews was paid a $1.86 million buyout in 2016-17, according to tax forms. [7]
On March 30, 2016, Saint Louis University announced that Travis Ford has been hired as the head basketball coach. [8] He inherited a Billikens team that had gone a disappointing 11–21 each of the previous two seasons under Jim Crews. [9] Due to a lack of talent from the previous regime, SLU was predicted to finish dead last of the Atlantic 10 conference during the 2016–17 season. [10] Basketball statistician Ken Pomeroy predicted the Billikens as the team most likely to go winless throughout its conference schedule. [11] Ford led the Billikens to six Atlantic 10 conference wins and a 12–21 overall record. [12] The Billikens and Travis Ford gained the attention of national news in January 2024 after it was discovered Travis Ford's son created a burner Twitter account to defend his dad as fans and people online were calling for him to be fired. [13] Travis Ford and SLU parted ways concluding the 2023-24 season. [14]
The Billikens have appeared in ten NCAA Tournaments. Their combined record is 6–11.
Year | Seed | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1952 | Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight | New Mexico State Kansas | W 62–53 L 55–74 | |
1957 | Sweet Sixteen Regional 3rd Place Game | Oklahoma City SMU | L 66–75 L 68–78 | |
1994 | #7 | First Round | #10 Maryland | L 66–74 |
1995 | #9 | First Round Second Round | #8 Minnesota #1 Wake Forest | W 64–61OT L 59–64 |
1998 | #10 | First Round Second Round | #7 UMass #2 Kentucky | W 51–46 L 61–88 |
2000 | #9 | First Round | #8 Utah | L 45–48 |
2012 | #9 | First Round Second Round | #8 Memphis #1 Michigan State | W 61–54 L 61–65 |
2013 | #4 | First Round Second Round | #13 New Mexico State #12 Oregon | W 64–44 L 57–74 |
2014 | #5 | First Round Second Round | #12 NC State #4 Louisville | W 83–80OT L 51–66 |
2019 | #13 | First Round | #4 Virginia Tech | L 52–66 |
The Billikens have appeared in 20 National Invitation Tournaments (NIT). Their combined record is 18–19. They were NIT champions in 1948 and runner-up in 1961, 1989, and 1990.
Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1948 | Quarterfinals Semifinals Final | Bowling Green Western Kentucky NYU | W 69–53 W 60–53 W 65–52 |
1949 | Quarterfinals | Bowling Green | L 74–80 |
1951 | First Round Quarterfinals | La Salle BYU | W 73–61 L 68–75 |
1952 | Quarterfinals | Dayton | L 58–68 |
1953 | First Round | St. John's | L 66–81 |
1955 | First Round Quarterfinals | Connecticut Dayton | W 110–103 L 81–97 |
1956 | First Round | Xavier | L 80–84 |
1959 | Quarterfinals | Providence | L 72–75 |
1960 | Quarterfinals | Providence | L 53–64 |
1961 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final | Miami (FL) Colorado State Dayton Providence | W 58–56 W 59–53 W 67–60 L 59–62 |
1963 | Quarterfinals | Marquette | L 49–84 |
1965 | First Round | Army | L 66–70 |
1987 | First Round Second Round | Saint Peter's Southern Miss | W 76–60 L 78–83 |
1989 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final | Southern Illinois Wisconsin New Mexico Michigan State St. John's | W 87–54 W 73–68 W 66–65 W 74–64 L 65–73 |
1990 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final | Kent State Green Bay DePaul New Mexico Vanderbilt | W 85–74 W 58–54 W 54–47 W 80–73 L 72–74 |
1996 | First Round | Minnesota | L 52–68 |
2003 | First Round | Minnesota | L 52–62 |
2004 | First Round Second Round | Iowa Notre Dame | W 70–69 L 66–77 |
2021 | First Round | Mississippi State | L 68–74 |
2022 | First Round | Northern Iowa | L 68–80 |
The Billikens have appeared in one College Basketball Invitational (CBI). Their record is 3–2 and they were the CBI runnerup in their only appearance.
Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals Game 1 Finals Game 2 | Indiana State Green Bay Princeton VCU VCU | W 63–54 W 68–62 2OT W 69–59 L 56–68 L 65–71 |
Saint Louis Billikens retired numbers | ||||
No. | Player | Pos. | Career | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
50 | Ed Macauley | C / PF | 1945–1949 | [15] |
Jerseys were honored/retired, but numbers remained active and can be chosen by future players
No. | Player | Pos. | Career | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
24 | Dick Boushka | F | 1951–1955 | [15] |
34 | Anthony Bonner | PF / SF | 1986–1990 | [15] |
43 | Bob Ferry | PF / C | 1956–1959 | [15] |
Player | Attended SLU | Current team | Years played professionally |
---|---|---|---|
Marque Perry | 1999–2003 | BG Göttingen | 2003–2015 |
Itzik Ohanon | 2002–2005 | Ironi Ramat Gan | 1999–2011 |
Ian Vouyoukas | 2003–2007 | Ionikos Nikaias B.C. | 2007–present |
Marcus Relphorde | 2007–2008 | Poiters | 2011–present |
Kevin Lisch | 2005–2009 | Sydney Kings [16] | 2009–2020 |
Brian Conklin | 2008–2012 | Yalovaspor BK | 2012–present |
Cory Remekun | 2009–2013 | Caen Basket Calvados | 2013–2019 |
Cody Ellis | 2009–2013 | Illawarra Hawks | 2013–2018 |
Dwayne Evans | 2010–2014 | Ryukyu Golden Kings | 2014–present |
Jordair Jett | 2010–2014 | Nelson Giants | 2014–2019 |
Mike McCall Jr. | 2010–2014 | Cheshire Phoenix | 2014–present |
Rob Loe | 2010–2014 | New Zealand Breakers | 2014–present |
Javon Bess | 2017–2019 | Tindastóll | 2019–present |
Tramaine Isabell | 2018–2019 | KK Dubrava | 2019–2022 |
Jordan Goodwin | 2017–2021 | Washington Wizards | 2021–present |
Hasahn French | 2017–2021 | Krka | 2021–present |
Richard Raymond Majerus was an American basketball coach and TV analyst. He coached at Marquette University (1983–1986), Ball State University (1987–1989), the University of Utah (1989–2004), and Saint Louis University (2007–2012). Majerus's most successful season came at Utah in the 1997–98 season, when the Utes finished as runners-up in the 1998 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. Majerus was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.
Travis Ford is an American former college basketball coach who was most recently the head coach of the Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team. He was also previously the head coach at Campbellsville University, Eastern Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Oklahoma State. Prior to that, he played at the University of Missouri and the University of Kentucky.
James S. Crews is an American former men's college basketball coach for Saint Louis University. He was promoted to head coach after serving on an interim basis following the health concerns and eventual death of former Billikens head coach Rick Majerus. He was on Majerus' staff since 2011. After leading the Billikens to a school-record 28 wins, Crews was formally named SLU's 25th head coach on April 12, 2013. He was fired after the 2016 Atlantic 10 tournament resulted in the elimination of the Billikens and marked the end of two 11–21 Billikens seasons.
The Saint Louis Billikens are the collegiate athletic teams that represent Saint Louis University, located in St. Louis, Missouri. The Billikens compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The school has nationally recognized soccer programs for men and women. The school has heavily invested in its on-campus athletic facilities since the 1990s with the creation of Hermann Stadium and Chaifetz Arena. Chris May is the current director of athletics of the St. Louis Billikens.
The 2012–13 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team represented Saint Louis University in the 2012–13 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Billikens' head coach Rick Majerus was to sit the season out for health concerns while Jim Crews served as the interim head coach. Majerus died on December 1, 2012. The team played their home games at Chaifetz Arena. They were a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They finished the season 28–7, 13–3 in A-10 play to win the regular season conference championship. They were also champions of the Atlantic 10 tournament, defeating VCU in the championship game, to earn the conference's automatic bid to the 2013 NCAA tournament where they defeated New Mexico State in the second round before losing in the third round to Oregon.
The 2013–14 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team represented Saint Louis University in the 2013–14 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Billikens were led by their head coach Jim Crews who was in his first full year season at Saint Louis. The team played their home games at Chaifetz Arena. They were a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They finished the season 27–7, 13–3 in A-10 play to win the regular season conference championship. They lost in the quarterfinals of the A-10 tournament to St. Bonaventure. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament where they defeated NC State in the second round before losing in the third round to Louisville.
Jordair Jett is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Saint Louis Billikens where he was named Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year in 2014, becoming the school's first conference player of the year since 1980.
The 2014–15 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team represented Saint Louis University in the 2014–15 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Billikens were led by their head coach Jim Crews who served his second season at Saint Louis. The team played their home games at Chaifetz Arena. They were a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Bilikens proceeded to complete their best to worst season.
The 2014–15 Saint Louis Billikens women's basketball team represented the Saint Louis University during the 2014–15 college basketball season. Lisa Stone assumes the responsibility as head coach for her third season. The Billikens were members of the Atlantic 10 Conference and play their home games at the Chaifetz Arena. They finished the season 15–16, 7–9 in A-10 play to finish in a tie for eighth place. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the A-10 women's tournament where they lost to George Washington.
The 2015–16 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team represented Saint Louis University in the 2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Billikens were led by fourth year head coach Jim Crews. The team played their home games at Chaifetz Arena. They were a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They finished the season with an 11–22, 5–13 in A-10 play to finish in a tie for 12th place. They defeated George Mason in the first round of the A-10 tournament to advance to the second round where they lost to George Washington.
The 2016–17 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team represented Saint Louis University in the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Billikens were led by first-year head coach Travis Ford. The team played their home games at Chaifetz Arena as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They finished the season 12–21, 6–12 in A-10 play to finish in 11th place. They received the No. 11 seed in the A-10 tournament where they defeated Duquesne in the first round to advance to the second round where they lost to George Washington.
The 2017–18 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team represented Saint Louis University in the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Their head coach was Travis Ford in his second season at Saint Louis. The team played their home games at Chaifetz Arena as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They finished the season 17–16, 9–9 in A-10 play to finish in a four-way tie for fifth place. As the No. 6 seed in the A-10 tournament, they defeated George Washington in the second round before losing to Davidson in the quarterfinals.
The 2017–18 Saint Louis Billikens women's basketball team represents the Saint Louis University during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Billikens, led by sixth year head coach Lisa Stone, play their home games at the Chaifetz Arena and were members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They finished the season 17–16, 9–7 in A-10 play to finish in seventh place. They advanced to the semifinals of the A-10 women's tournament where they lost to Saint Joseph's. They received an at-large bid to the Women's National Invitation Tournament where they lost to Kansas State in the first round.
The 2018–19 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team represented Saint Louis University in the 2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Their head coach was Travis Ford in his third season at Saint Louis. The team played their home games at Chaifetz Arena as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They finished the season 23–13, 10–8 in A-10 play to finish in a tie for sixth place. They defeated Richmond, Dayton, Davidson and St. Bonaventure to be champions of the A-10 tournament. They received the A-10's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament where they lost in the first round to Virginia Tech.
The 2018–19 Saint Louis Billikens women's basketball team represents the Saint Louis University during the 2018–19 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Billikens, led by seventh year head coach Lisa Stone, play their home games at the Chaifetz Arena and were members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They finished the season 15–16, 9–7 in A-10 play to finish in sixth place. They advanced to the semifinals of the A-10 women's tournament where they lost to Duquesne.
The 2019–20 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team represented Saint Louis University in the 2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Their head coach was Travis Ford in his fourth season at Saint Louis. The team played their home games at Chaifetz Arena as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They finished the season 23–8, 12–6 in A-10 play to finish in fourth place. Their season ended when the A-10 tournament and all other postseason tournaments were canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Hasahn French is an American professional basketball player who plays for Newcastle Eagles of the British Basketball League. He played college basketball for the Saint Louis Billikens.
The 2020–21 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team represented Saint Louis University during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Their head coach was Travis Ford in his fifth season at Saint Louis. The team played their home games at Chaifetz Arena as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They finished the season 14-7, 6-4 to finish a tie for 4th place. They defeated UMass in the quarterfinals of the A-10 tournament before losing in the semifinals to St. Bonaventure. They received an invitation to the NIT where they lost in the first round to Mississippi State.
The 2021–22 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team represented Saint Louis University during the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Their head coach is Travis Ford in his sixth season at Saint Louis. The team played their home games at Chaifetz Arena as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They finished the season 23–12, 12–6 in A-10 Play to finish in fifth place. They defeated La Salle and St. Bonaventure to advance to the semifinals of the A-10 tournament where they lost to Davidson. They received an at-large bid to the National Invitation Tournament where they lost in the first round to Northern Iowa.
The 2023–24 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team represented Saint Louis University during the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. They were led by eighth-year head coach Travis Ford and played their home games at Chaifetz Arena as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference.