SEMO & SLU – What Did We Learn?

SLU Defeats Southeast Missouri

(St. Louis, MO) – Saint Louis University entered its home opener as a serious favorite against Southeast Missouri and took care of business Monday night. SLU won it by a final score of 92-67. So what did we learn?

In what Billiken big man Robbie Avila called a ‘C-minus’ game, the Billikens put up 92 points and beat the defending Ohio Valley Conference champions by 25 points. SLU dominated the glass (54 to 29) and turned a relatively close game into a route. SEMO led throughout the game’s first eight minutes, but a ten point spurt covering less than two minutes, changed the game’s complexion.

The Redhawks still trailed by just five points with 3:43 left in the first half.

SLU – What Did We Learn? 

Robbie Avila is still Robbie Avila

While the Oscar Robertson nominee didn’t hand out a single assist, he recorded an 18-point/eleven-rebound double-double. He was human, missing half of his free throw attempts, but connected on three of seven long distance attempts.

Billiken Guards Can Drive

Saint Louis guards Amari McCottry, Kellen Thames and Quentin Jones drove to the rim repeatedly scoring on straight line drives. McCottry scored sixteen points on a seven-of-eight shooting night. Thames was five of eight, scoring twelve.

Saint Louis pounded the ball inside for 48 ‘points in the paint’.

SEMO coach Brad Korn said the defensive breakdowns were too much to overcome.

“They just drove us and shot layups,” said Korn. “The straight line drives and in transition, they get you to miss and they are just out in transition and firing shots.”

They Can Be Turned Over

SLU was forced into fifteen turnovers and allowed 19 points off those turnovers. McCottry, Jones and Dion Brown accounted for ten of the fifteen miscues.

SEMO – What Did We Learn?

During a difficult shooting night and in a game where starting guard Troy Cole Jr played just twelve minutes (foul trouble), there were lessons learned.

They Must Play Well to Win

The Redhawks have to play well to win.

“We’re a good team, but we’re not good enough to show up and win, said Korn. “We’re a good collective group, but we’re not that team whether it’s SLU or any team in the OVC. As long as we don’t pout and get in our own way, we’re going to have a really good season.”

They Still Defend

The Redhawks forced those fifteen turnovers, blocked three shots and held Saint Louis to a .310 shooting night from deep. After finishing third nationally in defending the three last year, this new cast is playing the same, hard-nosed, ball-pressure defense.

Newcomers Look Fine

While Luke Almodovar joined Cole with some foul trouble, the 6’3 junior started and scored eight points and grabbed four boards. Landren Blocker and rookie P.J. Farmer looked like they belong.

The SEMO Depth is Real

Nine Redhawks logged at least ten minutes and in the midst of the foul trouble, Marqeas Bell was outstanding coming from Korn’s bench. Bell missed the last ten games of last season with a knee injury and on this opening night was athletic, energetic and effective. He finished with ten points and four rebounds.

While Blocker had a difficult night shooting the ball, the 6’5 sophomore grabbed seven rebounds and handed out a pair of assists.

They Take Care of the Ball

Nine turnovers is a very solid number, particularly against a bigger and physical team like Saint Louis. B.J. Ward did most of the ball-handling and finished with three assists and one turnover. Ward played 32 minutes and led the Redhawks with sixteen points.

What’s Next?

Saint Louis hosts Chicago State on Thursday and SEMO visits Missouri on Friday.

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo of Robbie Avila, courtesy of Billiken Athletics.