St. Louis Mini Preview

ST. LOUIS BILLIKENS (11-8, 2-3)

Head Coach: Rick Majerus (first season)

Game Time: 7 p.m.

Location: UD Arena

Television: CSTV

All-Time Series: UD leads 20-18

Last Meeting: UD won in overtime just a few weeks ago.

Probable Starting Lineup

G Dwayne Polk – Sr. – 5’9 160 – 2.5 PPG
G Kevin Lisch – Jr. – 6’2 180 – 13.6 PPG
G Tommie Liddell – Jr. – 6’4 200 – 12.0 PPG
F Luke Meyer – Sr. – 6’5 200 – 9.5 PPG
F Barry Eberhardt – Jr. – 6’7 250 – 7.1 PPG

What a Win Would Mean

UD just really, really needs a winm both for their psyche and for their record.

What a Loss Would Mean

The free fall continues heading into the toughest road game yet, aside from the Xavier game. I can't imagine the Flyers would be feeling too good about themselves if they drop to 2-4, knowing they might be headed for 2-5 in Rhode Island.

Breakdown

It was a trap game last time, and UD survived. It can't really be called a trap game now, though, unless the Flyers are the ones doing the trapping.

UD has lost three straight since beating the Billikens. Meanwhile, St. Louis has won two of three, with the only loss coming in overtime against Temple.

From all the pregame quotes I've read, Brian Gregory thinks the Billikens have turned a corner, which is bad news considering how close it was last time. Expect St. Louis to play the same deliberate style, with a big focus on defense. The task will be the same for the Flyers as it's been every one of the last few games -- they have to find a way to execute on offense and score.

But as I said in an earlier post, they also need to just play better, in every aspect of the game, not just shooting. You're going to have to grind it out against St. Louis anyway. You may as well embrace it.

Prediction: I have no idea. Dayton 59, St. Louis 57? Sounds good. I'll take it however it comes.