Can I Interest You In A Billiken? March Madness has arrived, and with it comes the chance to root for obscure teams from places you’ve never visited. After the NCAA tournament bracket is revealed, I’d like to introduce you to the Saint Louis Billikens men’s basketball team. Based in Missouri, not some off-brand St. Louis, this squad has a quirky mascot and a history of first-round tournament success in the 2010s. Though they haven’t advanced past the first round since 2019, their recent performance has reignited interest. Here are five reasons to care about them. The Billikens recently played two thrilling games in the Atlantic 10 tournament. While I wasn’t following their season closely, their games were worth watching. They entered the tournament as the top seed but had a rocky start to the year. After a 24-1 record with just one loss—a one-point defeat to Stanford—they struggled in their final six games, culminating in a 29-point blowout by George Mason. Their Atlantic 10 opener against Washington was a rollercoaster. The Revolutionaries built a 21-point lead in the first half, but the Billikens fought back, eventually winning 88-81. Their semifinal against Dayton was even more dramatic. Saint Louis held a lead in the second half but went cold, allowing Dayton an 18-2 run. The game became a back-and-forth battle, with the final moments featuring three potential game-winning shots without a whistle. Even though they lost, the intensity of the finish was unforgettable. Robbie Avila is the team’s standout player. A senior center, Avila has been a fan favorite since his days at Indiana State, with fans joking about his puns. Now in his first NCAA Tournament game, Avila is a versatile big man who can shoot and pass at the college level.#saint_louis_billikens #atlantic_10 #robbie_avila #kenpom #somto_cyril
Robbie Avilla Nicknames Highlight Reverse Racism in the Basketball World The growing list of nicknames for Saint Louis center Robbie Avila has sparked debate about race, humor, and double standards in sports culture. St. Louis, MO – A series of racially themed nicknames circulating online about Saint Louis University basketball star Robbie Avila has sparked discussion among fans about perceived double standards in sports culture. Avila, a 6-foot-10 center for the Saint Louis Billikens and the 2026 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, has become a fan favorite for his unique playing style and recognizable look, including protective goggles he wears during games. But alongside the attention has come a wave of nicknames shared on social media, many referencing famous NBA players in racially altered forms regarding Avila being a white man. The trend has sparked debate among fans about humor and racial double standards in sports. Some nicknames reference legendary Black NBA players using racially altered wordplay. Saint Louis center Robbie Avila has gone viral for several fan-created nicknames online. Among the nicknames circulating online are “Cream Abdul-Jabbar,” “Milk Chamberlain,” and “Larry Nerd,” riffs on the names of Hall of Fame players Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird. Another nickname, “College Jokić,” references Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić, whose passing ability and offensive versatility have been compared to Avila’s playing style. The nicknames have appeared across sports broadcasts, fan discussions, and social media platforms as Avila’s profile has grown during his college career. Screenshots and graphics listing the nicknames recently circulated widely online, drawing a range of reactions from fans.#atlantic_10 #robbie_avila #saint_louis_university #st_louis_mo #nba_players
No. 25 Saint Louis preps for A-10 tourney run vs. George Mason Saint Louis (27-3, 15-2 Atlantic 10) is set to close its regular season with a crucial matchup against George Mason in Fairfax, Virginia, as both teams prepare for the conference tournament. The Billikens, ranked No. 25 in the nation, have dominated their season series against Loyola Chicago, securing a 79-65 home victory to clinch the No. 1 seed in the upcoming A-10 tournament. The team’s undefeated home record of 19-0 underscores their dominance on their court, while their balanced scoring attack, led by Amari McCottry (10.4 points per game), Kellen Thames (9.9), and Ishan Sharma (9.2), has propelled them to a strong finish. Saint Louis’ bench has been a key factor in their success, averaging 34.1 points per game, with McCottry leading the way in their recent win over Loyola Chicago. The Billikens’ offensive efficiency is highlighted by their nation-leading 41.2% three-point shooting and a 60.9% effective field goal percentage. Their ability to score in transition, racking up 17.6 points per game, further solidifies their status as a versatile and dangerous team. Coach Josh Schertz emphasized the importance of their regular-season performance, calling it a “mark of a team’s greatness” and a stepping stone for a postseason run. George Mason, meanwhile, faces challenges as they aim to secure a spot in the tournament. The Patriots (22-8, 10-7 A-10) have struggled in their final games, going 1-5 in their last six contests. Despite a strong performance from Kory Mincy (18 points) and Riley Allenspach’s double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) in a recent loss to VCU, the team’s inconsistency has left them locked into a fifth-place finish in the conference standings. With a middling conference record, a No. 82 ranking in Wins Above Bubble, and a No.#george_mason #atlantic_10 #saint_louis #kellen_thames #amari_mccottry
Saint Louis Billikens Set for Regular-Season Finale Against George Mason Saint Louis University’s men’s basketball team will conclude its regular season on Saturday with a matchup against George Mason at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. The game, scheduled for 3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET, will be televised on USA Network, with Steve Schlanger and Dr. John Giannini providing commentary. Radio coverage will be available on 104.1 FM / 1120 KMOX, featuring longtime SLU radio voices Bob Ramsey and Earl Austin Jr., who will call the action for all Billiken games this season. The Billikens, ranked No. 25 in the AP Top 25, have secured at least a share of the Atlantic 10 regular-season title and are positioned to claim the outright championship with a win on Saturday or a loss by VCU on Friday. They have already locked in the top seed for next week’s A-10 Championship in Pittsburgh, where they will face the winner of Thursday’s 8/9 game on March 13 at 11:30 a.m. ET. Saint Louis enters the game with a 27-3 overall record and a 15-2 mark in conference play, making them the top seed in the A-10 tournament. The team has set a single-season record for 3-pointers made (336) and is on pace to break the A-10 scoring record (87.3 points per game) and the NCAA record for points in a season (2,665). They rank seventh nationally in scoring offense at 88.8 points per game and lead the NCAA in 3-point field goal percentage (.412). Four Billikens are among the top five in the A-10 in 3FG%. Defensively, the team ranks first in field goal percentage defense (.372) and fifth in 3FG% defense (.289). Robbie Avila leads the team in scoring and is the third NCAA center in history with 200+ career 3-pointers. He averages 4.2 assists per game and 1.9 3-pointers. Trey Green, the A-10 leader in 3-pointers made per game (2.#saint_louis_billikens #george_mason #atlantic_10 #eaglebank_arena #chaifetz_arena
