Majerus and Billikens coming to town

Rick Majerus makes his coaching debut at Tom Gola Arena as the Billikens come to town after losing 3 out of their last 4 games. Juniors Kevin Lisch and Tommie Liddell spark the St. Louis attack as La Salle looks to rebound after a tough loss to Charlotte.

St. Louis head coach Rick Majerus was all the buzz this off-season around the Atlantic 10 conference and after 18 games results are mixed. After jumping out to a 4-1 record after 5 games the Bills have lost 3 out of their last 4 games including a 54-53 overtime loss to Temple last Sunday. Despite winning 10 games and coming into the game with a winning record St. Louis has few notable wins but does have some notable losses. The have been blistered by Kent State, Boston College, and George Washington losing all three of those games by at least 22 points. In the George Washington game they scored only 20 points in the entire game shooting a miserable 7 for 48 from the field, including 1 for 19 from three point range.

Juniors Kevin Lisch (13.2pts/gm) and Tommie Liddell (12.1pts/gm) lead the way but both are having down years compared to last season. Each players’ shooting percentages are down and that has made the Billikens offense the worst in the Atlantic 10 averaging just 57 points per game. On the flip side their defense gives up a conference best 57 points per game. Known for their great team defense which keeps them in most games, the Billikens would like to keep the score low and force teams into mistakes. 6”5 senior workhorse Luke Meyer is a lunch pale player that does all the little things to help his team win games. He scores, defends, dives for losse balls, and plays smart cerebral basketball. 6”7 junior college power forward Barry Eberhardt is the most active of the Billiken newcomers getting 7 points and 4.4 rebounds a contest.

The Explorers are coming off an 84-78 loss to Charlotte on Wednesday night and will look to get out and try to get St. Louis in transition. When their opponents score 60 points St. Louis is just 2-6 on the season. St. Louis does not rebound the basketball very well while the Explorers are second in the league in rebounding margin and will look to use that advantage to get second chance opportunities as well as get transition baskets. Sophomore guard Ruben Guillandeaux is averaging 14 points per game over his last two games while Darnell Harris leads the A-10 in three point shooting percentage hitting his shots at a 50% clip. Freshman Jerrell Williams recorded his 5th double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the loss to the 49ers.

Last season La Salle lost to St. Louis 59-55 in St. Louis as Kevin Lisch had 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists to just one turnover. La Salle was led by Mike St. John’s 11 points. Ruben Guillandeaux left the game after feeling ill and his absence was felt by the Explorers as they crumbled down the stretch after leading the game by double digits. Majerus currently stands at 432 career wins.