Billikens Run By Division II University of Missouri-St. Louis

On Tuesday, November 10th, the Saint Louis University Billikens were in action against NCAA Division II University of Missouri-St. Louis. The Billikens defeated their opponent in the exhibition game in convincing fashion 71-44.

The beginning of the game was slightly troubling for the Billikens. In the opening stages, they were down 12-8 before going on a 22-7 run to close out the first half. After that 22-7 run to close the first half, it was all smooth sailing from there on. The Billikens were overpowering as they outscored Missouri-St. Louis 41-25 in the second half. A 71-44 win on paper looks good, but there are signs that could spell trouble for the Billikens going forward.

In addition to having to come back from a early first half deficit, lone Senior guard Ash Yacoubou, a former Villanova University standout, was the only Billiken player to score in double figures with 16 points. As well, the Billikens field goal percentage in the first half was just a mere 35.5%.

I understand this was an exhibition game and that it is the first game in a very long basketball season, but after watching the highlights I don't see a confident Saint Louis team. Furthermore, after reading multiple Billiken forum and message boards, the fans feel the same way I do.

On deck for the Billikens is a match-up against the University Hartford. Following Hartford, a home game against SIU Edwardsville awaits. Both of these games are extremely winnable and I would be very surprised if the Billikens dropped one of these home games.

After SIU Edwardsville, trouble looms for the Billikens as they face strong teams in University of St. Francis Brooklyn (2014-15 NEC regular season champions), University of North Florida Ospreys (2014-15 A-Sun regular season champions, NCAA #16 seed), University of Louisville (2014-15 NCAA Elite Eight appearance), Morehead State University, and Wichita State University (2014-15 NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance).

Hopefully Yacoubou and the Billikens prove my prediction wrong, but I believe they will begin the season a mediocre 3-4. Expect for the Billikens to finish as one of the bottom four or five teams in the A-10 Conference this year.

Billikens Schedule
Saint Louis vs. Missouri-St. Louis Box Score

VCU Stifles California (PA) In Exhibition Action

On Friday, November 3rd, the VCU Rams took the court to battle NCAA Division II opponent California (PA). Although the Rams were a huge favorite to coast through the Vulcans of California, the Vulcans stayed within reach as they trailed at half time 31-44. Nonetheless, the second half told a different story. As assumed, VCU took control of the game and outscored the Vulcans 52-29 and ended up victorious by a count of 96-60.

VCU's success was shown in their efficient rebounding and ability to score points in the paint. VCU out rebounded California 60-37 and scored 54 points in the paint compared to California's 22. The bench also proved to be a big factor for VCU. The Rams scored 45 bench points while the Vulcans scored just 24. As well, one can't write an article on VCU and forget to mention VCU's swarming defense. The Rams had 13 steals and 8 blocks compared to the Vulcan's five steals and two blocks. As usual with the Rams, defense factored into the ending result of the game.

The first star of the game goes to 6-4, Senior guard Melvin Johnson who outmatched California defenders as he led all scorers with 24 points. Johnson, went 7-17 from the field and made four 3-point shots from beyond the arc. Fellow Senior guard Korey Billbury, a transfer from Oral Roberts University, also deserves a star. The 6-4 guard achieved a double-double scoring 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

A victory is a victory and I am sure the Rams are happy to get a win heading into their first official game of the season against Prairie View A&M of the SWAC conference. The meeting will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday, November 13th in Richmond, Virginia at the Verizon Wireless Arena at the Siegel Center. Look for the Rams to run through A&M and build on their mini winning streak as their date with Duke University nears underneath the broadway lights of Madison Square Garden.

VCU Schedule
VCU vs. California (PA) Box Score

Duquesne Breezes By Division II Urbana 91-62

The Duquesne Dukes were in action last night as they held an exhibition against Division II Urbana University at the A.J. Palumbo Center. The game was never in question as the Dukes took an early 21-1 lead from the opening tip and maintained that cushion throughout the night.

6-2 Senior guard Micah Mason who transferred from the Missouri Valley's Drake University following the 2012-13 season, led the Dukes from the very start. Opening up with four 3-pointers in the first seven minutes of the first half helped create some space in the initial stages. Mason finished the game with 16 points.

6-11 Junior Center Darius Lewis dominated the paint as he scored 14 points in the first half and finished the game with 16 points. 5-11 Senior guard Derrick Colter who led the team in scoring last season, chipped in with 15 points respectively.

All in all, it was a good showing from a Duquesne team that struggled mightily last season and finished up the 2014-15 season with a 12-19 record. Look for Duquesne to win their next two games against Division II Seton Hill University and a newly added Division I program in New Orlean University which joined the Division I ranks following the 2011-12 season.

The real test for the Dukes will come when they play their third contest on November 20th against Big Ten foe Penn State University at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. This will be a tough game where defense will be key and points will be a rarity. If the Dukes are able to pull out a win on November 20th and start the season 4-0, look for them to bring strong confidence into the Gulf Coast Showcase basketball tournament against Pepperdine University on November 23rd.

Duquesne Schedule
Duquesne vs. Urbana Box Score

Bonnies Beat Divsion II Mansfield 108-48

This past Saturday, the St. Bonaventure University Bonnies defeated Division II Mansfield University 108-48.

The Bonnies were dominate from the opening tip as they earned a quick lead and ended the first half ahead 59-18. The second half was very much the same for the Bonnies as they put up 49 points and kept Mansfield to under 50 points for the entire game.

The star of the game was much improved 6-7, Junior forward Denzel Gregg who led SBU with 23 points. While Gregg is mostly known for his athleticism, his athleticism was an afterthought on Saturday. Gregg has had his troubles making 3-point shots and mid range jumpers in the past, but those woes seem to be a thing of the past. Gregg went 2-4 from down town and made multiple contested jump shots against Mansfield defenders.

If your a Bonnies fan, you have to be excited with what you saw from this young man. It looks as if the hard work over the summer will pay off for Gregg this season and if this stays true to form, watch out A-10, the Bonnies should be pushing for an NCAA bid.

After a six day break, the Bonnies will look to continue their winning ways on Friday, November 13th as they will host their first official game of the 2015-16 season at 8 PM against the Binghamton Bearcats. Expect the Bonnies to take care of business as they face an overmatched Binghamton squad who went 6-26 last season.

SBU Schedule
Gregg's Summer Success
St. Bonaventure vs. Mansfield box Score

URI, Dayton, Davidson Earn Votes In Preseason Polls

On November 2nd, the Associated Press Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll released their preseason top 25 rankings for the 2015-2016 NCAA Men's Basketball season.

In the AP Top 25, URI garnered 17 votes while Dayton received 12 votes. In the USA Today Coaches Poll, URI and Dayton failed to receive votes but nonetheless, Davidson was able to muster up 5 votes from coaches around the NCAA.

While the top three Atlantic 10 teams were unable to land in the top 25, having top 25 votes going into the preseason certainly doesn't hurt. If URI, Dayton, and Davidson were to put together early winning streaks to begin the season, one, two, or all three teams could make the leap into the top 25 sooner rather than later.

There is no denying that it would have been nice to have an A-10 team in the top 25 to open up the college basketball season, but at least the A-10 is receiving some nice attention before opening tip. It just goes to show how much the A-10 has improved over the last 10 years. The A-10 is respected and appreciated and it will only continue to be this way if all three teams end up in the top 25.

The Atlantic 10 Logo...Which One Do You Like Best?

Personally, my favorite A-10 logo is the first logo shown above. The map is unique and shows the diversity and different geographical locations of the conference. I believe parts of this logo should be implemented in the current A-10 logo.

The second logo shown above is boring, dull, and off-putting. It doesn't standout and fails to give off a positive vibe. The red is a faded red that looked washed out and the blue background behind "conference" is not necessary as it does nothing to making "conference" stand out.

 The current logo of the Atlantic 10 is vibrant, colorful, bold, and sharp. It gives off the impression that the A-10 is newly improved and that it is here to stay and make its mark in the NCAA.

It's Exhibition Time!!

After this upcoming weekend, A-10 basketball teams will be one weekend away from their first official college basketball game for the 2015-2016.

While most A-10 teams are in action this weekend beginning on November 6th, these games will not count for team records as each will be exhibition games against schools that are not members of NCAA Division I.

Though people believe these games might be uninteresting, blowouts, these games are extremely important in getting off to the right start. A-10 teams will need to stay focused and not overlook their lesser opponents this upcoming weekend otherwise, a few teams could be in for rude awakenings.

Remember when powerhouse Syracuse lost to Division II Le Moyne College? Anything can happen on any given day. Let's hope the A-10 takes care of business.