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
