http://www.yardbarker.com/colleges/st_louis_billikens/633 Recent articles about St. Louis Billikens en-us Jared Drew becomes the second freshman from the lastest recruiting class to leave the Saint Louis Basketball program. It was announced on Tuesday, May 14 that Drew, a 6-foot-4 forward from Indianapolis, will transfer. Billiken head coach Jim Crews made a statement saying, “We have released Jared from his men’s basketball scholarship and wish him nothing but the best.”  Drew did not play for Saint Louis this season because he redshirted.  The other Billiken freshman to leave was Keith Carter. Carter transferred to Valparaiso during the season. Two scholarships will be available for the Billikens for next season because of Drew's departure. Travis Zuellig covers the Saint Louis Billikens and Illinois Fighting Illini basketball teams for StlSportsMinute.com. You can follow Zuellig on Twitter (@OnlyOneZuellig) and check out all of his content here.  Related articles Saint Louis Billikens: Dream season in Review (stlsportsminute.com) Saint Louis Billikens: Jim Crews named NABC... Wed, 15 May 2013 00:19:50 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_jared_drew_leaves_the_program/13619786 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_jared_drew_leaves_the_program/13619786 Saint Louis Billikens: Jared Drew leaves the program http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/saint_louis_billikens_jared_drew_leaves_the_program/13619786 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Kwamain Mitchell. What more can you say; the point guard has been the face of Saint Louis Billiken basketball program since he emerged on the scene back in 2008.              Mitchell's career that has seen him score nearly 16 points per game in his sophomore season and then he had to sit out the next season because of sexual assault allegations. But, where does Mitchell rank among the all time greats of Billikens basketball history?            A lot of factors need to come into effect when you discuss ranking players all time. Winning, scoring, and other statistical numbers all go into consideration. So lets start with the winning.             While Mitchell was playing for the Billikens, Saint Louis went 95-42 in the four years he wore the Billiken jersey. The only season Mitchell sat out was 2010-2011 and Saint Louis struggled and finished that season 12-19. That seems like a pretty good record to me. Included in that record is an Atlantic 10 regular season championship Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:50:03 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/saint_louis_basketball_where_does_kwamain_mitchell_rank_among_slus_all_time_greatest_players/13451950 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/saint_louis_basketball_where_does_kwamain_mitchell_rank_among_slus_all_time_greatest_players/13451950 Saint Louis Basketball: Where does Kwamain Mitchell rank among SLU's all-time greatest players? http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/saint_louis_basketball_where_does_kwamain_mitchell_rank_among_slus_all_time_greatest_players/13451950 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Dwayne Evans entered the 2012-2013 season with a chance to make major impact for the Saint Louis Billikens. He did just that. The junior power forward averaged an even 14.0 points per game and grabbed 7.7 rebounds to lead the  Billikens in both categories. Evans was a major asset to Saint Louis' success this season and Billiken fans should expect even more from Evans next season. With Cody Ellis and Kwamain Mitchell graduating, Evans will be forced to pick up some of the slack, but I think that he can handle it. Evans has increased his workload every season at SLU, which includes minutes, rebounds and shot attempts. Now, don't get me wrong, but if Evans can take 10-to-12 shots a game next season, he'll constantly put up 18 points a game.  Evans doesn't have that three-point threat, but he doesn't need it. His mid range game within 17 feet is lethal and Evans should be able to knock it down from any spot on the floor if left open.  Jordair Jett and Mik... Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:41:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_will_dwayne_evans_play_like_an_all_american_candidate_in_2013_14/13378843 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_will_dwayne_evans_play_like_an_all_american_candidate_in_2013_14/13378843 Saint Louis Billikens: Will Dwayne Evans play like an All-American candidate in 2013-14? http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/saint_louis_billikens_will_dwayne_evans_play_like_an_all_american_candidate_in_2013_14/13378843 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/d/3d7e280aeaffcc42b9b4adf51df68eca48d9e8c2/mini/5960632.jpg After inheriting the late Rick Majerus' team, Jim Crews was rewarded after the Saint Louis Billikens' dream season. Crews had already been named to the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year and the former University of Evansville and Army head coach was named the UPS National Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball coaches. Crews received the award on Sunday night in Atlanta at the AT&T NABC Guardians of the Game awards show. Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo presented the award to Crews, because Izzo won the award last season. This is Crews' second major coaching award this season. Crews also received the Sporting News National Coach of the Year in addition to his A10 honors. The last time Crews coached at the Division I level was at Army in the 2008-2009 season, where Crews' Mules won 11 games. The Billikens went 28-7 in Crews' first season. Crews is still considered the interim head coach and hopefully that changes at the National Si... Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:49:47 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_jim_crews_named_nabc_coach_of_the_year/13351198 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_jim_crews_named_nabc_coach_of_the_year/13351198 Saint Louis Billikens: Jim Crews named NABC Coach of the Year http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/saint_louis_billikens_jim_crews_named_nabc_coach_of_the_year/13351198 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png On Thursday night, No. 14 seed Harvard shocked the college basketball world by beating No. 3 seed New Mexico in the Round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament. Harvard is clearly the Cinderella of this year's NCAA Tournament after the first day and the nation will be tuned in to see if coach Tommy Amaker can truly make it a magical run with a game against No. 6 seed Arizona next on the agenda this weekend. It was also a very good day for the Saint Louis University Billikens, who moved on by beating a team from the state of New Mexico themselves. As SLU prepares to play Oregon on Saturday, many are still wondering about the future of the SLU bench beyond this season. Current interim coach Jim Crews certainly has done everything possible to earn the job, but as Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote early on Thursday, Crews may not want the job past this year. So, with Amaker clearly back in the national spotlight, should SLU go after the Harvard coach as a permanent repla... Fri, 22 Mar 2013 01:02:58 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_slu_should_pursue_tommy_amaker_if_jim_crews_does_not_want_job/13204663 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_slu_should_pursue_tommy_amaker_if_jim_crews_does_not_want_job/13204663 Saint Louis Billikens: SLU should pursue Tommy Amaker if Jim Crews does not want job http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/saint_louis_billikens_slu_should_pursue_tommy_amaker_if_jim_crews_does_not_want_job/13204663 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Three times in Saint Louis Billikens history as a player scored 22 points in an NCAA tournament game. The three Billikens are Lou McKenna in 1952, Scott Highmark in 1995, and, most recently, Kwamain Mitchell in 2012. Junior Dwayne Evans broke the single-game NCAA Tournament record with 24 points in Saint Louis’ 64-44 win over New Mexico State in the second round. The Billikens also set a new school record with 28 wins in a single season. The Billikens struggled the first couple of minutes but eventually found their grove as Saint Louis opened the game on a 11-to-4 run, capped by a Cody Ellis triple. Saint Louis extended the lead to 13 points by halftime with the score at 29-16. Evans had exactly 1,000 points for his career at halftime. Also, Evans had 16 points in the game at the half, which tied him with the whole New Mexico State team. The Aggies’ Remi Barry hit a three pointer with 14 minutes remaining to cut the Billiken lead to six at 37-31. Saint Louis went on a quick ... Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:09:12 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_dwayne_evans_scores_ncaa_tournament_school_record_24_points_in_billiken_win/13204246 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_dwayne_evans_scores_ncaa_tournament_school_record_24_points_in_billiken_win/13204246 Saint Louis Billikens: Dwayne Evans scores NCAA Tournament school record 24 points in Billiken win http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/saint_louis_billikens_dwayne_evans_scores_ncaa_tournament_school_record_24_points_in_billiken_win/13204246 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/0/f042ed016c507e0967af0f57f1c4d7cbd5d7682b/mini/6770478.jpg Just hours after dispatching No. 25 ranked VCU for the second time this season to win the Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship, the No. 16 ranked Saint Louis Billikens were left looking for a place to watch Selection Sunday and find out where and who they would be playing in this year's NCAA Tournament. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Billikens watched the selection show from a Best Buy store after getting caught in traffic in route to the airport from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Billikens had originally planned to watch the selection show from the airport before flying back to St. Louis, but instead chose the detour when it looked as though they were going to run out of time. The Best Buy in Secaucus, New Jersey was very accommodating to the Billikens, placing the team in a room with two 60'' televisions and premium sound and luxury furniture. The Billikens, sitting in comfort, were able to see early in the show that they were a No. 4... Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:01:42 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_slu_watches_selection_sunday_from_a_best_buy_store/13176568 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_slu_watches_selection_sunday_from_a_best_buy_store/13176568 Saint Louis Billikens: SLU watches Selection Sunday from a Best Buy store http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/saint_louis_billikens_slu_watches_selection_sunday_from_a_best_buy_store/13176568 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png On Sunday, the Saint Louis Billikens finished a sweep of the Atlantic 10 conference on the year by defeating VCU in the A10 Tournament Championship game in Brooklyn, New York. On Sunday evening, the NCAA Tournament brackets were released and the Billikens were awarded a No. 4 seed in the Midwest region by the selection committee and will face No. 13 seed New Mexico State, who was 24-10 on the season. The Billikens will have to travel all the way to San Jose for their second round game despite drawing the Midwest region. The Billikens are in the same side of the bracket as No. 1 overall seed Louisville and there is also a slight possibility they could see the Missouri Tigers, who were awarded a No. 9 seed in the Midwest region as well. The No. 4 seed given to Saint Louis was worst than the No. 3 seed we had predicted for the Billikens earlier on Sunday. Related articles Saint Louis Billikens: SLU beats Butler for third time, ready for VCU in A10 championship Saint Louis Billik... Sun, 17 Mar 2013 18:10:22 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_slu_awarded_with_a_no_4_seed_after_winning_a10_title/13166695 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_slu_awarded_with_a_no_4_seed_after_winning_a10_title/13166695 Saint Louis Billikens: SLU awarded with a No. 4 seed after winning A10 title http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/saint_louis_billikens_slu_awarded_with_a_no_4_seed_after_winning_a10_title/13166695 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png (Credit: Saint Louis Media Relations) What a year for the Saint Louis Billikens and interim coach Jim Crews.  After a difficult beginning which saw SLU lose its mentor in Rick Majerus, Crews kept his team together and did a masterful job in leading the Billikens to both the regular season and Atlantic 10 Tournament title as they outlasted #havoc and VCU on Sunday. The Bills defeated VCU by a final of 62-56, weathering a furious storm midway through the second half and emerged victorious.  Carried by poise and composure in the backcourt from Jordair Jett and Kwamain Mitchell over the final eight minutes, coupled with big-time shot makes from Cody Ellis and Mitchell, SLU took home the title at the Barclays Center. Mitchell was named to the All-Tournament team as was Dwayne Evans.  Evans collected an additional piece of hardware as he was also named the tourney’s Most Outstanding Player after averaging 21 points and 9.3 boards in three games and playing the type of honest, hard-nosed d... Sun, 17 Mar 2013 15:36:58 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/billikens_double_up_win_a10_regular_season_and_tournament_championship/13165858 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/billikens_double_up_win_a10_regular_season_and_tournament_championship/13165858 Billikens double-up, win A10 regular season and tournament championship http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/billikens_double_up_win_a10_regular_season_and_tournament_championship/13165858 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png NEW YORK - The Saint Louis Billikens waltzed into the house that Hova (thats Jay-Z, you guys) built and behind a 25 point, 9 rebound performance by Dwayne Evans, emerged victorious over Charlotte by a score of 72-55 in the second round of the Atlantic 10 tournament in Brooklyn, NY. WHAT YOU REALLY WANT See postgame thoughts from Jim Crews, Mike McCall Jr. and Dwayne Evans below. Its all you really need, isnt it? DWAYNE'S WORLD Throughout the game, Dwayne Evans had his way down low. The 6-5 forward continues to stuff the stat sheet at a ridiculously efficient clip. Evans finished 8-9 from the field and a perfect 9-9 from the charity stripe. The 100 effort at the line is obviously tied for a tournament record, but fell short in the minimum attempts category. Had he attempted and made one more free throw, he would have met the 10 attempt minimum standard and tied the tournament record. It is amazing that Evans continues to get such simple buckets at the rim with his lack of size. He is a bully down lo Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:36:36 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/billikens_postgame_thoughts_charlotte/13154188 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/billikens_postgame_thoughts_charlotte/13154188 Billikens postgame thoughts: Charlotte http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/billikens_postgame_thoughts_charlotte/13154188 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/0/f042ed016c507e0967af0f57f1c4d7cbd5d7682b/mini/6770478.jpg At the beginning of the season, Saint Joseph was projected No. 1 in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll and expected to win the regular season A10 championship.  Four months later, it is your Saint Louis Billikens who finished atop the standings of the A10 and will have the number one seed in the A10 Tournament that starts Thursday at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Billikens are ranked No.16 in the nation in both the USA Today Coach’s Poll and the AP Poll. Saint Louis’ first game of the tournament will be Friday at 11 am. The Billikens will play the winner of the Richmond vs. Charlotte game. This season, the Billikens played Richmond once, on the road, on Feb. 9. Saint Louis beat the Spiders 56-46 and were led by Dwayne Evans. The junior forward recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The Billikens dominated the glass, out-rebounding Richmond 42-27. Against Charlotte, Saint Louis beat the 49ers at home 75-58 on Feb. 16. The Billiken bench took care of... Wed, 13 Mar 2013 22:10:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_slu_could_sweep_the_a10_with_a_big_weekend_in_brooklyn/13136446 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_slu_could_sweep_the_a10_with_a_big_weekend_in_brooklyn/13136446 Saint Louis Billikens: SLU could sweep the A10 with a big weekend in Brooklyn http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/saint_louis_billikens_slu_could_sweep_the_a10_with_a_big_weekend_in_brooklyn/13136446 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png On Saturday, the Saint Louis Billikens (23-6, 12-3 A 10) will play La Salle (21-7, 11-4 A 10) at Chaifetz Arena to decide the winner of the Atlantic 10 conference. Also, this game will be senior night and the last time Kwamain Mitchell, Cody Ellis, and Cory Remekun will step on the floor at Chaifetz Arena. Each player had a different path to this point in their career. All three played under the late Rick Majerus and have had to deal with his death during this season. All three will want to close out their careers with a win at home and win a regular season conference title for the first time since 1971. Kwamain Mitchell — Career Stats: 12.3 PPG, 3.3 APG, and 2.8 RPG Mitchell has had rocky road since starting his career in Saint Louis. A first team all-state player from Wisconsin, Mitchell was named the starting point guard his freshman year and did not disappoint. He started all 31 games and averaged 11.0 PPG. With his sophomore year as arguably his best season, Mitchell averag... Fri, 08 Mar 2013 07:55:45 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_slu_will_say_goodbye_to_three_seniors_on_saturday/13084246 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_slu_will_say_goodbye_to_three_seniors_on_saturday/13084246 Saint Louis Billikens: SLU will say goodbye to three seniors on Saturday http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/saint_louis_billikens_slu_will_say_goodbye_to_three_seniors_on_saturday/13084246 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Another night and another win for the Saint Louis Billikens. The No. 18 Billikens beat George Washington Saturday night 66-58. Again,  it was Dwayne Evans leading the way for SLU, recording a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds. The junior forward had a very efficient night as Evans made 7-of-13 from the field and 8-of-9 from the foul line. Evans also had four steals and a block for the Billikens (23-5, 12-2 A 10). Since the loss against Rhode Island several weeks ago, Evans has been in double figures every game, averaging 16.5 during the winning streak. He continues to carry the load offensively. Kwamain Mitchell also finished in double figures with 18 points. Jordair Jett did what he does best, which is coming off the bench to score 11 points. But, there are some things that Saint Louis needs to improve on to make sure that the 11 game winning streak continues. The Billikens need to win the turnover battle. The Billikens simply can not turn the ball over more than the... Sun, 03 Mar 2013 00:46:57 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_slu_rextends_win_streak_beats_george_washington/13038490 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/saint_louis_billikens_slu_rextends_win_streak_beats_george_washington/13038490 Saint Louis Billikens: SLU rextends win streak, beats George Washington http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/saint_louis_billikens_slu_rextends_win_streak_beats_george_washington/13038490 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/d/3d7e280aeaffcc42b9b4adf51df68eca48d9e8c2/mini/5960632.jpg #24 VCU got smoked on Tuesday night by Saint Louis 76-62.  Being a VCU fan I wasn't too happy seeing this massacre go down.  This video made me a little happier though.  Check out Saint Louis Billikens radio announcer Bob Ramsey saying that referee Bo Borowski just called a "cheap foul."  Bo overheard his comments and got in Ramsey's face while on air, and gave him a piece of his mind.  Ramsey tried to play it off by saying "the official got into our broadcast, but were not gonna have it," but I think the Zebra got the best of him on this occasion. P.S.  I think I would take a guy named Bo over a guy named Bob in a brawl any day.  Just something about that extra B that I can't get down with. Check out our Home Page for more stories and follow us on Twitter and Facebook Fri, 22 Feb 2013 11:03:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/referee_vs_radio_announcer_in_vcu_vs_st_louis_game_video/12970249 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/referee_vs_radio_announcer_in_vcu_vs_st_louis_game_video/12970249 Referee vs. Radio Announcer in VCU vs. St. Louis Game (Video) http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/referee_vs_radio_announcer_in_vcu_vs_st_louis_game_video/12970249 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Saint Louis Billikens' ugly overtime loss to Rhode Island apparently hasn't changed the mind of Butler coach Brad Stevens. The 9th-ranked Bulldogs will travel to St. Louis for a highly anticipated matchup with SLU on Thursday night. Despite a recent bad loss to Rhode Island, Stevens expects the Billikens to be a formidable foe. "It's a really hard game for us, there's no question about it," Stevens said. "Most of the people I know picked Saint Louis to win the league at the start of the year and most of the people I talked to still believe that they are a team to beat in the league when its all said and done. "They've had a great start to their season." SLU got off to a 12-3 start which included a nine-game winning streak and a dominating win over then-20th ranked New Mexico before losing back-to-back games at Temple and at home against Rhode Island last week. Rhode Island is just 6-12 on the season and their only Atlantic 10 Conference win was the triumph Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:59:23 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/no_9_butler_not_taking_slu_lightly/12802021 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/no_9_butler_not_taking_slu_lightly/12802021 No. 9 Butler not taking SLU lightly http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/no_9_butler_not_taking_slu_lightly/12802021 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/3/6343c6d1c2553b23147e1b47de56bb1f5d360a1b/mini/butler-xavier.jpg Saint Louis University basketball games are seldom pretty to look at. Forward Cody Ellis compared SLU's 64-50 win over Richmond on Wednesday to pulling teeth, and nine out of dentists would agree. While SLU's defense drives opponents nuts -- Richmond shot just 35.3 percent against SLU, the fourth straight SLU opponent to be at 40 percent shooting or less -- the Billikens' offense can be equally maddening. Free throws don't drop, layups and other shots around the basket don't go in. But with a defense so good, SLU's offense doesn't have to overwhelm. The Billikens seem able to put together one good flurry each half that serves to give it the room it needs for a win. Against Richmond, it was a 7-0 run in about a minute-and-a-half that turned a game where Richmond had the ball and a chance to tie into a 10-point lead for the Billikens. "Our defense dictates how we play on the offensive end," Ellis said. "When we're not getting stops, our offense gets stagnant and Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:28:41 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/defense_fueling_offense_for_billikens/9956065 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/defense_fueling_offense_for_billikens/9956065 Defense fueling offense for Billikens http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/defense_fueling_offense_for_billikens/9956065 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png ST. LOUIS The Saint Louis Billikens fueled talk of an NCAA Tournament appearance by starting the year 11-1, winning the 76 Classic in Anaheim and beating familiar names including Washington, Boston College, Villanova and Oklahoma. But if the Billikens have aspirations of making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000, defeats like Wednesday's 72-67 home loss to Temple can't happen. Saint Louis has now lost three of four games following its 11-1 start and has gone from being a near lock to make the big dance to a team squarely on the bubble. "Every game is crucial and we definitely let this one slip away," said forward Brian Conklin, who finished with 12 points and six rebounds. "We need to get back to the team that we were and the team we've been." Wednesday's nationally televised game against Temple was the first sellout of the year at Chaifetz Arena. Facing just their second top-25 RPI team, the Billikens had a chance to add a nice win to their tournament Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:37:20 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/billikens_on_ncaa_bubble_after_loss_to_temple/9290816 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/billikens_on_ncaa_bubble_after_loss_to_temple/9290816 Billikens on NCAA bubble after loss to Temple http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/billikens_on_ncaa_bubble_after_loss_to_temple/9290816 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png ST. LOUIS -- The Saint Louis Billikens fueled talk of an NCAA Tournament appearance by starting the year 11-1, winning the 76 Classic in Anaheim and beating familiar names including Washington, Boston College, Villanova and Oklahoma. But if the Billikens have aspirations of making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000, losses like Wednesday's 72-67 home loss to Temple can't happen. Saint Louis has now lost three of four games following it's 11-1 start and has gone from being a near lock to make the big dance to a team squarely on the bubble. "Every game is crucial and we definitely let this one slip away," said forward Brian Conklin, who finished with 12 points and six rebounds. "We need to get back to the team that we were and the team we've been." Wednesday's nationally televised game against Temple was the first sellout of the year at Chaifetz Arena. Facing just their second top-25 RPI team, the Billikens had a chance to add a nice win on their tourn Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:37:20 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/billikens_on_ncaa_bubble_after_loss_to_temple/9290759 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/billikens_on_ncaa_bubble_after_loss_to_temple/9290759 Billikens on NCAA bubble after loss to Temple http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/billikens_on_ncaa_bubble_after_loss_to_temple/9290759 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Saint Louis paid the price last season when it was forced to go with freshmen and sophomores in key roles. The Billikens finished with a 12-19 record and a quick one-and-done appearance against Rhode Island in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament. They are still young, but having Kwamain Mitchell back on the floor has given them a proven leader. The junior was suspended just before last season began for school disciplinary reasons and took a redshirt season when he returned the second semester. The 5-10 junior guard was averaging in double figures at 12.4 points a game through the Billikens' first 10 games. He was second on the team in three-pointers with 18 in 52 attempts. "Certainly that was a big blow not having him," said assistant coach Jim Whitesell, who filled in for a traveling Rick Majerus on the A-10's first coaches' teleconference. "Him coming back has been more of a confidence boost and certainly a guy who can make a basket for us. "The thing that coach i Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:19:10 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/mitchell_making_all_the_difference_for_billikens/8730982 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/mitchell_making_all_the_difference_for_billikens/8730982 Mitchell making all the difference for Billikens http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/mitchell_making_all_the_difference_for_billikens/8730982 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png LOS ANGELES For the first time since the 1993-94 season, the Saint Louis Billikens have garnered a national ranking as they come in at No. 23 in the AP Top 25 poll, which was released Monday. Also on Monday, the Atlantic 10 Conference announced that senior forward Brian Conklin was named A-10 co-Player of the Week. The Billikens ranking comes on the heels of claiming the 76 Classic championship in Anaheim. SLU topped Boston College, Villanova and Oklahoma en route to the title. The Bills also have a win against Washington to boost their resume. Conklin claimed tournament MVP honors at the 76 Classic after averaging a team-best 17.3 ppg in the three-day tourney. He tied his career high with 25 points in the championship game against Oklahoma. The Billikens remain in Southern California for a matchup against Loyola Marymount on Tuesday, Nov. 29. Game time is scheduled for 9 p.m. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:10:51 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/slus_conklin_named_a_10_player_of_the_week/8378881 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/slus_conklin_named_a_10_player_of_the_week/8378881 SLU's Conklin named A-10 Player of the Week http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/slus_conklin_named_a_10_player_of_the_week/8378881 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png