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 Avila: The Viral NCAA Star Known as "College Jokic" March Madness has arrived, marking another year of intense competition and cultural significance in college basketball. The NCAA tournament, a staple of American sports for eight decades, features four regions, 68 teams, and a blend of fierce rivalries, dramatic comebacks, and unforgettable personalities. This year, one player has captured the spotlight in a way that transcends traditional NBA prospects: Robbie Avila, the Saint Louis Billikens power forward. Avila, born on September 10, 2003, has become a viral sensation during the tournament. As the No. 9 seed in the Midwest Region, he is set to make his March Madness debut, drawing comparisons to NBA legend Nikola Jokic due to his unique playing style and appearance. The 22-year-old, who has Mexican heritage through his father, stands out not only for his skills but also for his distinctive look, including protective sports goggles and an unconventional build. These traits have fueled social media buzz, with fans dubbing him "College Jokic" and other playful nicknames. Avila’s journey to NCAA Division I basketball began at Oak Forest High School in Illinois, where he emerged as a top interior player. During his junior season, he averaged 25.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. As a senior, he led his team to a 25-8 record while posting 23.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.1 steals, and two blocks. He also became his school’s all-time leading scorer. His standout performance earned him a spot at Indiana State University, where he played for the Sycamores in the Missouri Valley Conference before transferring to Saint Louis. On the court, Avila is a skilled scorer who moves effectively in the post despite not being the fastest player.#ncaa_tournament #saint_louis_billikens #nikola_jokic #robbie_avila #march_madness
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
