Location: St. Louis, MO

Enrollment: 12,309

Founded: 1818

President: Lawrence Biondi

Athletic Director: Chris May

Athletic Web Site: slubillikens.com, billikens.com

Nickname: Billikens

Colors: Royal Blue and White

Arena: Chaifetz Arena (2008)

Capacity: 10,600

Average Attendance: 8,837 (Scottrade Center)

Head Coach: Rick Majerus

Overall Record: 438-162 (73.0% Winning Percentage)

Record at St. Louis: 16-15

2007-2008 Record: 16-15 (7-9)

Assistants: Alex Jensen, Porter Moser, Chris Harriman

ROSTER

3 Kwamain Mitchell FR PG 5-10 165 Milwaukee, WI
10 Paul Eckerle SO WG 6-1 180 Washington, MO
12 Femi John FR WG 6-2 180 St. Louis, MO
13 Ruben Cotto FR PG 6-0 190 Alton, IL
14 Brian Conklin FR PF 6-6 220 Eugene, OR
15 Barry Eberhardt SR PF 6-6 250 Inkster, MI/Coffeyville CC (KS)
20 Daniel Lisch FR WG 6-2 185 Belleville, IL
*21 Kevin Lisch SR WG 6-2 165 Belleville, IL
23 Kyle Cassity FR WG 6-3 185 Pinckneyville, IL
*25 Tommie Liddell SR G 6-4 195 E. St. Louis, IL/Hargrave Military (VA)
33 Willie Reed FR C 6-9 195 Kansas City, MO
41 Brett Thompson FR C 6-11 260 Vienna, IL

*Returning starters

OVERVIEW

The first year for Rick Majerus in St. Louis wasn’t a pretty one. The Billikens played ugly ball and set a modern Division 1 record for fewest points in a game in a 49-20 loss at George Washington.

Part of the problem was the caliber of talent. The prior staff did a poor job recruiting, leaving behind just pair of topflight guards and a benchful of role players. Because Majerus was hired so late, he had little time to improve the roster.

Then there was the coach himself. Majerus immediately installed his own unique offense even though few players were well suited for it. They struggled to meet the coach’s exacting standards almost the entire year. Some like Tommie Liddell, who called the experience “hell,” found themselves thinking too much instead of reacting. Majerus generated a few controversies off the court as well.

Despite the upheaval, Majerus still managed to squeeze out 16 wins to keep intact his legacy of no losing seasons in 18 full years of coaching.

That streak is still in jeopardy, however. St. Louis returns just four veterans following a spring house cleaning. An impressive 8-man recruiting class arrives – the first big harvest of the coach’s own players – but they are true freshmen. The sparkling new Chaifetz Arena will double as a Majerus-run day care center in its first year of operation.

To avoid a losing season, Majerus will rely on senior guards Liddell and Kevin Lisch, two of the best wing players in the A-10. The lone returnee in the frontcourt is Barry Eberhardt, a talented inside-out forward who spent parts of the season in Majerus’s doghouse.

The three seniors aren’t miracle workers. They’ll need lots of help from the new enrollees, especially 6-10 center Brett Thompson and point guard Kwamain Mitchell. Asking so many freshmen to play such big roles, however, is usually asking for trouble.

“It will be challenging, no question about it,” Majerus told the St. Louis Dispatch. “It will be very difficult.”

DEPARTED PLAYERS

Luke Meyer – Do-everything 6-6 forward led the team in rebounds (5.4 rpg) and was a good interior defender even though he was often overmatched. On offense Meyer moved well without the ball, made nice passes and knocked down midrange jumpers (8.5 ppg, 46% FG). He was a workhorse on a team with too few stallions.

Bryce Husak – Fifth-year senior supplied sporadic inside scoring (5.7 ppg, 50% FG) and shotblocking (32 blocks), but he played smaller than his 7-foot frame. Husak was slow and awkward and got into easy foul trouble, a “big” problem for a team with so little size.

Dwayne Polk – Quick 5-9 point guard never learned to shoot well (2.6 ppg, 33% FG), but he did manage the offense, shaky though it was, more carefully as a senior. He took the fewest shots in his career, kept turnovers to a minimum (36) and played good on-the-ball defense. On a better team, Polk would have been a deep reserve.

Danny Brown – Talented but erratic big guard missed the first seven games because of off-season knee surgery, but he was reborn in his return. Brown set career highs in points (7 ppg), rebounds (2.9 rpg) and 3-point shooting (49% 3PG) and might have been the team’s best player by year end. Without his contributions, Majerus would have suffered his first losing season ever.

Dustin Maguire – The 6-5 shooter, recruited by former coach Brad Soderberg, redshirted as a sophomore and transferred after the season.

Anthony Mitchell – Local 6-4 swingman played in 8 games and hit just 2 of 3 shots. Mitchell, also part of Soderberg’s last class, was recruited for his toughness and athleticism but lacked A-10 level skills.

Marcus Relphorde – The 6-7 swingman, Soderberg’s last recruit, played sparingly in 21 games. He scored 14 points in his second game, against a non-Division 1 opponent, but only scored 8 points the rest of the season.

Adam Knollmeyer – Plodding 6-8 power forward (1.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 46% FG) gave the smallish Bills a big body, but not much else. Though Knollmeyer actually had decent footwork and a nice-looking shot, he lacked the necessary lift and quickness to be a major factor in the paint.

RETURNING PLAYERS

Tommie Liddell (12.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 35% 3PG, 64 assists, 74 turnovers, 21 steals, 6 blocks). During the first year of the Majerus era, Liddell was like a peacock cooped up in a pen. Unable to strut his stuff, he struggled to adjust. The same player who scored 20 points in six straight games in Soderberg’s last season only reached that mark four times in his entire junior year. His scoring, rebounding, assists, 3-point shooting, blocks and steals all fell and the former A-10 Second Team selection was left off the All-Conference squads.

To his credit, Liddell hustled more at both ends and tried to meet the demands of his new coach, who rode him harder than any other player. He gave a better effort guarding his man and excised the flashier parts of his offensive repertoire. His game also seemed to come around late in the season in what could be a good sign for his finale campaign in Billikens blue.

Liddell is still one of the most talented and athletic players in the league. He’s long and quick, a solid ball-handler who can drive, dish and shoot. The lefty is especially effective in the open floor or after a few quick dribbles in halfcourt sets. He likes to attack baseline, shoot jab-step jumpers from the elbows or fly to the hoop for stickbacks. Perhaps his biggest flaw is a tendency to go left, a trait to which A-10 defenders are fully aware.

If he shows more comfort with the offense, Liddell has all the tools to vie for A-10 Player of the Year. If not, the Bills could still expect solid production similar to his junior season, but Liddell’s career would end on a disappointing note and almost certainly snuff out any postseason aspirations. Liddell has to play big on such a young team to enable the Billikens to play a little longer in March.

Kevin Lisch (14.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 43% FG, 38.4% 3PG, 81% FT, 97 assists, 64 turnovers, 38 steals). Lisch also struggled for stretches to adapt to Majerus, but he performed more consistently than Liddell and was the best player on the team. He led the Billikens in scoring and was one of the top perimeter defenders in the league, earning Second Team and All-defensive Team honors.

Lisch is not an explosive athlete, but he’s a very good one. Always a terrific 3-point shooter, he’s become an effective slasher who can score in traffic or dish to open teammates. He’s crafty with the ball and catches defenders off guard with hesitation moves and changes of pace. If he can’t shake them that way, Lisch is a master at rubbing defenders off the constant screens in a Majerus system. And though not a true point guard, he usually has the ball in game-end situations. He’s hit as many big shots as any player in the A-10.

Not only is Lisch the focal point of the offense, he is the emotional leader of the Billikens. His toughness and energy are contagious and he helps shape the team’s personality. Majerus needs Lisch to become even more of a role model to help guide his younger teammates. Look for his production and shooting to improve now that he’s familiar with the system and will no longer have to think his way through his reads.

Barry Eberhardt (6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 48.4% FG, 32% 3PG). Burly 6-6 juco forward was sometimes up though mostly down in his first season. He started out with a bang, averaging 10 points in the first six contests, but only reached double figures twice in A-10 action. His erratic production stemmed partly from minor injuries and partly from the coach’s displeasure at his defense. Majerus wants Eberhardt to lose weight to increase his quickness and stamina. Even though he moves well for a 250 pounder and has good offensive skills, Eberhardt would be more effective as a scorer and rebounder if he increased his mobility. He’s capable of playing with his back to the basket, turning to face the rim or even dropping a 3-pointer (8 of 25).

Added quickness would also help Eberhardt defensively. He won’t have to guard bigger players as much – another source of his erratic play – and he’ll be matched up with players closer to his own height. A slimmed-down Eberhardt could give the Bills fatter production at both ends.

Paul Eckerle (3.8 ppg, 3.8 ppg, 35% FG, 34% 3PG). The 6-1 walkon turned scholarship player is a favorite of the coach. He’s smart and tough and always works hard. A better athlete than he appears, Eckerle is an alert passer (40 assists) and a good shooter despite what his field-goal percentage would suggest. He doesn’t back down from a challenge on defense, either.

Eckerle is small for a wing player, however, and on a good A-10 team would be no better than a fourth guard off the bench. While he scored a career high 13 points twice (vs. UMass and URI) he also delivered a goose egg in 10 other games. Still, he’s a solid option for Majerus to turn to when the freshmen fail to produce.

NEWCOMERS

Brett Thompson – On a team that lacks size and skill in the post, Thompson is almost certain to start. The 6-11 center (No. 104, Rivals) is not a super athlete, but he’s plenty mobile and has good skills. He can play with his back to the basket, handles the ball fairly well for a near 7-footer and has even been known to hit an occasional 3-pointer. The downside? As a high school senior, he wasn’t always dominant inside and the word “soft” has been bandied about. Majerus has worked magic with bigmen like Thompson before, however, and turned them into players with the ability to make a living from the sport.

Willie Reed – Slender 6-9 Kansan (No. 164, PrepStars) has the body and length of a shotblocker but is reportedly more advanced offensively than a typical youngster his size and age. He has good hands and uses his quicks to score around the basket. He’s even supposed to be a decent faceup shooter out to 12 feet. Unfortunately for Reed he was unable to work on his game last year because of problems at a prep school to which he briefly transferred. He ended up ineligible to play anywhere as a senior. Another concern is his thin frame. Reed could get knocked around like a bowling pin as a freshman if his listed weight of 195 pounds is accurate. He’ll need a lot of muscle in the future to muscle his way into the conversation about the league’s best young bigmen.

Brian Conklin – Rugged 6-6 forward, one of the top players in Oregon, is said to have a nonstop motor. Conklin is a solid faceup shooter out to 18 feet, does a good job on the boards and makes excellent outlet passes. He’s not a major offensive force down low, where he reportedly struggles against more athletic defenders. Conklin probably is not star material in the A-10. With his size and smarts, though, he should develop into a valuable contributor. Majerus always seems to have a tough, hard-working player like Conklin in his rotation.

Kyle Cassity – The 6-3 wing player, seen as an underrated recruit, received attention from a few Big 10 schools such as Michigan and Penn State after a strong senior campaign. Cassity is multi-skilled and hustles all the time. He shoots well, makes smart passes and can handle the ball in tight situations.

Femi John – Local prep star was an All-State selection. John uses his athleticism to score around the basket and will hit an occasional 3-pointer, though he’s not considered a great shooter. John’s best asset is defense. He’s seen as a defender who can lock down small forwards and guards.

Kwamain Mitchell – All-state guard in Wisconsin (No. 158, HoopMasters) can play both backcourt positions and create his own shot. He’s quick enough to get into the lane and dish to teammates, but also shoots well off the dribble. He came on strong last summer and had a great senior season. Bigger programs came calling shortly before he signed with St. Louis.

Ruben Cotto – Smooth 6-1 guard (No. 174, HoopMasters) is a nifty passer who can run an offense, but he’s better noted for his scoring. Quick and strong for his size, Cotto can get into the paint and score with floaters and runners. He also shoots very well behind the arc and likes to stop and pop for 15-footers. Because he transferred last year to Illinois from Miami, schools were slow to put him on their radar. He became a much bigger blip after a spectacular senior season.

Daniel Lisch – Frosh guard is a pretty good shooter and solid defender but he’s not as good as his older brother. Daniel Lisch was given a scholarship for his first year of college in part to help the team during practice. It’s unlikely he’ll see significant time barring injury or ineligibility problems.

SCOUTING REPORT

St. Louis needs help in almost every area. The Billikens turned the ball over too much, had trouble scoring and were outrebounded. The team got very little production inside and hit the second fewest 3-pointers in the A-10. It’s no wonder the new coach reached for a broom.

The house cleaning not only has fans reaching for their Who’s Whos, it makes it difficult to assess the team. St. Louis is young and inexperienced, to be sure, but it’s also deeper, taller, more athletic and better skilled.

If he were running an established program, Majerus would bring along the newcomers slowly. He has no such luxury. Lisch and Liddell are seniors and the groundwork has to be laid now for next season.

Several of the frosh are sure to start, most likely Thompson and Mitchell. If those two players get the call, Eberhardt could play his natural position of power forward and Liddell could play his natural position of small forward. It would especially help on defense, allowing both players to match up with physically similar opponents and avoid frequent mismatches.

The key is Thompson. He has the size to rebound and score in the paint and pose problems for typically smaller A-10 post defenders. Even if he doesn’t score much, Thompson would help in a number of areas and free up teammates such as Eberhardt to do what they do best. Majerus can also stick Reed in the game every so often as defensive replacement and spread the fouls between his two freshmen centers.

In the backcourt, Lisch is good enough to run the offense, but the Billikens need all the firepower they can muster. St. Louis finished last in the A-10 in scoring and 307th (of 328 teams) in Division 1. It would be better if Lisch could focus on shooting, though he’s likely to handle the ball in crunch time.

Mitchell and Cotto are both quick guards who can pressure defenses with their speed and outside shooting. It’s hard for most freshman guards to run a Division 1 offense, but good players learn quickly. They’ll make plenty of mistakes, but they’ll also get plenty of time to learn how to fix them under the tutelage of Majerus.

The same is true of player who’ll come off the bench. Majerus only has one reserve, Eckerle, with any experience. Ready or not, freshmen such Conklin, Cassity and John will be tossed into the fire. The quicker they catch on, the more dangerous St. Louis will be come A-10 action.

Much will be different about St. Louis in Majerus’ second year, but one thing opposing teams can count on is that the young Billikens will be well drilled. St. Louis doesn’t play its first game as early as it did last season, giving Majerus more time to instruct his troops.

What’s more, the first three games – and seven of the first 10 – are in the Chaifetz Arena. All the home-cooking will help the Billiken Kiddie Corp., though the schedule is not easy. Opponents in the first 18 days of the season include Kent State, Boston College, Nebraska and Southern Illinois.

Another potentially big plus is Majerus himself. If he still has it as a coach – the team’s performance last season left some doubt – he’ll give his players an edge over most opponents. That could be worth a few extra wins in conference play.

PREDICTION

A pair of talented upperclassmen on the wing is the dream of every coach and often the foundation of a postseason team. Lisch and Liddell have to carry the Billikens early on. They are good enough to keep St. Louis competitive against most of the teams they’ll face.

Winning those games requires the supporting cast to, well, support Lisch and Liddell. A little bit of rebounding and scoring inside from the big guys, and some solid ball-handling and outside shooting from the guards, will do the trick.

The noncon slate gets easier after the first month and the unbalanced A-10 schedule isn’t all that bad, either. By conference play the newbies should know their roles and start to assert themselves.

With a reasonable schedule and an influx of talent, the Billikens look good enough to keep the Majerus streak alive. Yet St. Louis is unlikely to entertain postseason possibilities unless both senior guards play like stars.

WH’s

NONCON PREDICTION: 10-4 (9-4 for RPI purposes)

W – MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS
L – KENT STATE
L – BOSTON COLLEGE
L – At Nebraska
W – At Detroit
W – At Southern Illinois
W – SAVANNAH STATE
W – SAMFORD
W – SOUTH CAROLINA UPSTATE
W – LIBERTY
L – vs Depaul (Las Vegas)
W – Creighton/Fresno State (Las Vegas)
W – MARYLAND-BALTIMORE COUNTY
W – NORTH CAROLINA AT&T

Rick Majerus starts his team off with a win over Division 2 Missouri St. Louis. The young fellas get their feet wet. I could see the Billikens losing the next two games in their gorgeous new arena. My gut tells me the Bills will get payback for a 41-point loss at Kent State last year. Kent is good again even though the school lost two of its top players and its coach. But I thought an 11-3 noncon record was too giddy and changed it to 10-4.

BC comes in afterward and steals a win. The Eagles are also young, but bigger and I am not sure Lisch can guard Tyrese Rice. St. Louis is too young to win at Nebraska.

I could see the Bills winning the next six against mostly poor to mediocre foes. Detroit, for example, lost 23 games last year, while Liberty lost four of its top five players from a 16-win team. The best of the lot is Southern Illinois, which is playing at home. Yet this Saluki team is even younger than the Bills, having suffered huge graduation losses in the past two years. I think Lisch and Liddell carry the day.

The streak is broken by a loss to Depaul and in Las Vegas. The Blue Demons are almost as young as the Bills, but their talent level is higher. A win is possible – Depaul is not very disciplined – but I go conservative. St. Louis could beat a depleted Fresno, but not Creighton, in the second game. I call it a W if Fresno is the opponent, a loss if it’s Creighton. In the final two games, UMBC beat three A-10 teams last year, but not this season. NC AT&T is fodder after losing its top three players from a 15-16 team.