A year later than expected, the St. Louis Billikens are bullying their way back to the Big Dance. An efficiency machine, the Billikens are 13th overall in KenPom thanks to a 26th AdjO and 11th AdjD. The efficiency is on offense with an emphasis on defense.
The defense is very good with a chance to be great. They're 7th in scoring defense and are strong on stopping teams beyond the arc. They're weaker inside and foul too much, sending teams to the line more often than most. They make up for it by giving away less second opportunities on rebounds and force turnovers on 24.7% of opponent possessions.
Offensively, they're, well, efficient. They don't turn the ball over and make three pointers, 29th in the nation. They don't get to the line a lot and are weak on the boards offensively but their possessions are typically productive if not glamorous. Think old school Wisconsin, so there is potential for ugly.
St. Louis has a SOS of 105 and a RPI of 42. At 15-4, 3 of their 4 losses are to top 50 RPI teams. The only home loss is to Temple, a likely tourney team. St. Louis also poached a nice win at reeling Xavier the other night. Brian has them as an 11 seed and I think they might move up but as a potential second round matchup for a 2 or 3, they'll be a difficult matchup, especially with only 2 days between games. They will be a team to watch as a surprise Sweet 16 participant depending on matchups as they could really frustrate some younger teams that are sloppy with the ball or trigger happy. Good job, fat Rick Majerus. You're a disgusting man but a heckuva coach.
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