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Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball#Retired jerseys

{{Short description|Intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Saint Louis University}}

{{Infobox CBB Team

|name = Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball

|logo = SLU Billikens wordmark.png

|logo_size = 250

|current = 2024–25 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team

|university = Saint Louis University

|conference = Atlantic 10

|location = St. Louis, Missouri

|coach = Josh Schertz

|tenure = 1st

|arena = Chaifetz Arena

|capacity = 10,600

|nickname = Billikens

|studentsection = SLUnatics

|h_pattern_b=_thinsidesonwhite|h_body= 003DA5 |h_shorts= 003DA5 |h_pattern_s=_blanksides2

|a_pattern_b=_thinwhitesides|a_body= 003DA5 |a_shorts= 003DA5 |a_pattern_s=_whitesides

|bestfinish = 8

|NCAAeliteeight = 1952

|NCAAsweetsixteen = 1952, 1957

|NCAAroundof32 = 1995, 1998, 2012, 2013, 2014

|NCAAtourneys = 1952, 1957, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019

|conference_tournament = 2000, 2013, 2019

|conference_season = 1947, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1971, 2013, 2014

}}

The Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Saint Louis University. They compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The head coaching position is currently filled by Josh Schertz. Chaifetz Arena is home to the Billikens. The Billikens have reached the championship game of the NIT tournament four times and have won it once (1948). They have appeared in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament ten times, most recently in 2019.

History

{{See also|List of Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball seasons}}

=Rick Majerus era=

On April 27, 2007, Rick Majerus accepted the head coaching position. His tenure at SLU got off to a rocky start; in their first conference game, the Billikens set an NCAA Division I record for fewest points scored in a game in the modern era of college basketball, losing 49–20 to George Washington.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/ncb/id/3191119|title=Saint Louis sets modern record for fewest points in 49-20 loss to George Washington|website=ESPN.com}} However, as he had done previously at other programs, Majerus eventually made SLU a winning program. In 2012, he led the Billikens to their first NCAA Tournament in 12 years, and their first appearance in a major poll in 17 years.

On August 24, 2012, Majerus announced he would not coach the 2012–13 season due to serious heart problems.{{cite web|last=Held|first=Kevin|title=Rick Majerus to sit out 2012-13 season with health issues|url=http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/334737/3/Majerus-to-miss-2012-13-season-with-health-issues|access-date=24 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127125457/http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/334737/3/Majerus-to-miss-2012-13-season-with-health-issues|archive-date=January 27, 2013|df=mdy-all}} Jim Crews, one of his assistants, took over for him on a temporary basis for that season.{{cite news |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/slu/majerus-takes-medical-leave-at-slu-won-t-coach/article_70e09f5c-ee36-11e1-a8f7-0019bb30f31a.html |title=Majerus takes medical leave at SLU, won't coach 2012-13 |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=August 24, 2012}} On November 16, it was announced that Majerus was retiring when it was apparent that his heart condition would not improve enough to allow him to return.[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8640242/rick-majerus-not-return-coach-saint-louis-billikens Rick Majerus won't return to SLU]. ESPN, 2012-11-16.

Majerus compiled a 95–69 (.579) record at St. Louis University and retired with an overall NCAA record of 517–215 (.706).

=Jim Crews era=

File:Ash Yacoubou (cropped).jpg]]

Jim Crews was promoted to head coach after serving on an interim basis following the health concerns and eventual death of Majerus. He was on Majerus' staff since 2011. After leading the Billikens to a school-record 28 wins, Crews was formally named SLU's 25th head coach on April 12, 2013. He was fired after the 2016 Atlantic 10 tournament resulted in the elimination of the Billikens and marked the end of two 11–21 Billikens seasons.[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14945697/saint-louis-billikens-fire-coach-jim-crews Saint Louis fires Jim Crews] Crews was paid a $1.86 million buyout in 2016-17, according to tax forms.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/illinois-mizzou-slu-hope-record-pay-results-in-big-hoops-payoff/article_f95186ae-17f8-576a-ae76-b45ddf59331a.html|title=Illinois, Mizzou, SLU hope record pay results in big hoops payoff|date=24 October 2021 }}

=Travis Ford era=

On March 30, 2016, Saint Louis University announced that Travis Ford has been hired as the head basketball coach.{{cite web|url=http://www.slubillikens.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27200&ATCLID=210849117|title=Travis Ford Tabbed Men's Basketball Coach|publisher=Saint Louis University|date=March 30, 2016|access-date=2016-03-30}} He inherited a Billikens team that had gone a disappointing 11–21 each of the previous two seasons under Jim Crews.{{Cite news|url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/slu/travis-ford-will-be-hired-as-new-slu-coach/article_9da65933-6e94-5ee0-907d-398d6b2412d2.html|title=Travis Ford will be hired as new SLU coach|last=Durando|first=Stu|work=stltoday.com|access-date=2017-06-02|language=en}} Due to a lack of talent returning from the previous regime, SLU was predicted to finish last in the Atlantic 10 conference during the 2016–17 season.{{Cite news|url=http://www.atlantic10.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31600&ATCLID=211235312|title=Flyers Picked to Win 2016-17 Men's Basketball|work=Atlantic10.com|access-date=2017-06-02}} Basketball statistician Ken Pomeroy also predicted the Billikens as the team most likely to go winless during its conference schedule.{{Cite web|url=http://kenpom.com/blog/the-most-likely-winless-teams/|title=The most likely winless teams {{!}} The kenpom.com blog|website=kenpom.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-06-02}} Ford led the Billikens to six Atlantic 10 conference wins and a 12–21 overall record.{{Cite web|url=http://www.slubillikens.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=632626&SPID=93215&DB_OEM_ID=27200&Q_SEASON=2016|title=Men's Basketball – Schedule – SLUBillikens.com – The Official Athletics Website of Saint Louis University|website=www.slubillikens.com|access-date=2017-06-02}} The Billikens and Ford gained the attention of national news in January 2024 after it was discovered that Ford's son had created burner Twitter accounts to defend his father, as fans were calling for his firing.{{cite web | url=https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3499329/anything-for-family-travis-fords-son-is-being-accused-of-creating-multiple-burner-accounts-to-defend-his-dads-coaching-job-at-saint-louis | title=Anything for Family: Travis Ford's Son is Being Accused of Creating Multiple Burner Accounts to Defend His Dad's Coaching Job at Saint Louis }} Ford and SLU parted ways following the 2023-24 season. {{cite web | url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/slu/slu-fires-travis-ford-after-eight-seasons-with-one-ncaa-tournament-appearance/article_bd66468a-e17f-11ee-b450-3fc1a5dc1bb2.html | title=SLU fires Travis Ford after eight seasons with one NCAA Tournament appearance | date=13 March 2024 }}

=Josh Schertz era=

On April 6, 2024, it was announced that Josh Schertz had been hired as the head coach for the St. Louis Billikens, replacing Ford.{{Cite web|url=https://slubillikens.com/news/2024/4/6/mens-basketball-josh-schertz-named-billikens-head-coach.aspx|title=Josh Schertz Named Billikens’ Head Coach|website=St. Louis Billikens}}

Postseason appearances

=NCAA tournament results=

The Billikens have appeared in ten NCAA Tournaments. Their combined record is 6–11.

class="wikitable"

{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Saint Louis Billikens|Year|Seed|Round|Opponent|Result}}

align="center"

| 1952

Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		{{cbb link|1951|sex=men|team=New Mexico State Aggies|title=New Mexico State}}
Kansas		W 62–53
L 55–74
style="text-align:center;"

| 1957

Sweet Sixteen
Regional 3rd Place Game		{{cbb link|1956|sex=men|team=Oklahoma City Chiefs|title=Oklahoma City}}
{{cbb link|1956|sex=men|team=SMU Mustangs|title=SMU}}		L 66–75
L 68–78
style="text-align:center;"

| 1994

#7First Round#10 MarylandL 66–74
style="text-align:center;"

| 1995

#9First Round
Second Round		#8 Minnesota
#1 Wake Forest		W 64–61OT
L 59–64
style="text-align:center;"

| 1998

#10First Round
Second Round		#7 UMass
#2 Kentucky		W 51–46
L 61–88
style="text-align:center;"

| 2000

#9First Round#8 UtahL 45–48
style="text-align:center;"

| 2012

#9First Round
Second Round		#8 Memphis
#1 Michigan State		W 61–54
L 61–65
style="text-align:center;"

| 2013

#4First Round
Second Round		#13 New Mexico State
#12 Oregon		W 64–44
L 57–74
style="text-align:center;"

| 2014

#5First Round
Second Round		#12 NC State
#4 Louisville		W 83–80OT
L 51–66
style="text-align:center;"

| 2019

#13First Round#4 Virginia TechL 52–66

=NIT results=

The Billikens have appeared in 21 National Invitation Tournaments (NIT). Their combined record is 18–20. They were NIT champions in 1948 and runner-up in 1961, 1989, and 1990.

class="wikitable"

{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Saint Louis Billikens|Year|Round|Opponent|Result}}

align="center"

| 1948

Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final		{{cbb link|1947|sex=men|team=Bowling Green Falcons|title=Bowling Green}}
Western Kentucky
{{cbb link|1947|sex=men|team=NYU Violets|title=NYU}}		W 69–53
W 60–53
W 65–52
style="text-align:center;"

| 1949

Quarterfinals{{cbb link|1948|sex=men|team=Bowling Green Falcons|title=Bowling Green}}L 74–80
style="text-align:center;"

| 1951

First Round
Quarterfinals		{{cbb link|1950|sex=men|team=La Salle Explorers|title=La Salle}}
{{cbb link|1950|sex=men|team=BYU Cougars|title=BYU}}		W 73–61
L 68–75
style="text-align:center;"

| 1952

Quarterfinals{{cbb link|1951|sex=men|team=Dayton Flyers|title=Dayton}}L 58–68
style="text-align:center;"

| 1953

First Round{{cbb link|1952|sex=none|team=St. John's Redmen|title=St. John's}}L 66–81
style="text-align:center;"

| 1955

First Round
Quarterfinals		Connecticut
{{cbb link|1954|sex=men|team=Dayton Flyers|title=Dayton}}		W 110–103
L 81–97
style="text-align:center;"

| 1956

First Round{{cbb link|1955|sex=men|team=Xavier Musketeers|title=Xavier}}L 80–84
style="text-align:center;"

| 1959

Quarterfinals{{cbb link|1958|sex=men|team=Providence Friars|title=Providence}}L 72–75
style="text-align:center;"

| 1960

Quarterfinals{{cbb link|1959|sex=men|team=Providence Friars|title=Providence}}L 53–64
style="text-align:center;"

| 1961

First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final		{{cbb link|1960|sex=men|team=Miami Hurricanes|title=Miami (FL)}}
{{cbb link|1960|sex=men|team=Colorado State Rams|title=Colorado State}}
{{cbb link|1960|sex=men|team=Dayton Flyers|title=Dayton}}
{{cbb link|1960|sex=men|team=Providence Friars|title=Providence}}		W 58–56
W 59–53
W 67–60
L 59–62
style="text-align:center;"

| 1963

Quarterfinals{{cbb link|1962|sex=men|team=Marquette Warriors|title=Marquette}}L 49–84
style="text-align:center;"

| 1965

First Round{{cbb link|1964|sex=men|team=Army Cadets|title=Army}}L 66–70
style="text-align:center;"

| 1987

First Round
Second Round		{{cbb link|1986|sex=none|team=Saint Peter's Peacocks|title=Saint Peter's}}
Southern Miss		W 76–60
L 78–83
style="text-align:center;"

| 1989

First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final		{{cbb link|1988|sex=men|team=Southern Illinois Salukis|title=Southern Illinois}}
Wisconsin
{{cbb link|1988|sex=men|team=New Mexico Lobos|title=New Mexico}}
Michigan State
St. John's		W 87–54
W 73–68
W 66–65
W 74–64
L 65–73
style="text-align:center;"

| 1990

First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final		{{cbb link|1989|sex=men|team=Kent State Golden Flashes|title=Kent State}}
{{cbb link|1989|sex=men|team=Green Bay Phoenix|title=Green Bay}}
{{cbb link|1989|sex=men|team=DePaul Blue Demons|title=DePaul}}
{{cbb link|1989|sex=men|team=New Mexico Lobos|title=New Mexico}}
{{cbb link|1989|sex=men|team=Vanderbilt Commodores|title=Vanderbilt}}		W 85–74
W 58–54
W 54–47
W 80–73
L 72–74
style="text-align:center;"

| 1996

First Round{{cbb link|1995|sex=men|team=Minnesota Golden Gophers|title=Minnesota}}L 52–68
style="text-align:center;"

| 2003

First Round{{cbb link|2002|sex=men|team=Minnesota Golden Gophers|title=Minnesota}}L 52–62
style="text-align:center;"

| 2004

First Round
Second Round		Iowa
Notre Dame		W 70–69
L 66–77
style="text-align:center;"

| 2021

First RoundMississippi StateL 68–74
style="text-align:center;"

| 2022

First RoundNorthern IowaL 68–80
style="text-align:center;"

| 2025

First RoundArkansas StateL 78–103

=CBI results=

The Billikens have appeared in one College Basketball Invitational (CBI). Their record is 3–2 and they were the CBI runner-up in their only appearance.

class="wikitable"

{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Saint Louis Billikens|Year|Round|Opponent|Result}}

align="center"

| 2010

First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals Game 1
Finals Game 2		Indiana State
Green Bay
Princeton
VCU
VCU		W 63–54
W 68–62 2OT
W 69–59
L 56–68
L 65–71

Individual honors

= Retired numbers =

{{Main|List of NCAA men's basketball retired numbers}}

file:Ed macauley 1948 photo cropped.jpg

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"

| colspan="5" style= "{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Saint Louis Billikens|border=0}}" | Saint Louis Billikens retired numbers

width=40px style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Saint Louis Billikens|border=0}}" | No.

! width=140px style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Saint Louis Billikens|border=0}}" |Player

! width=60px style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Saint Louis Billikens|border=0}}" |Pos.

! width=100px style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Saint Louis Billikens|border=0}}" |Career

! width=px style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Saint Louis Billikens|border=0}}" |Ref.

50Ed MacauleyC / PF1945–1949[https://slubillikens.com/documents/2011/8/30/RetiredNumbersandJerseys.pdf Retired Numbers and Jerseys] at SLBillikens.com

= Honored jerseys =

Jerseys were honored/retired, but numbers remained active and can be chosen by future players

class = wikitable style=text-align:center
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team= Saint Louis Billikens|No. | Player | Pos. | Career | Ref. }}
24Dick BoushkaF1951–1955
34Anthony BonnerPF / SF1986–1990
43Bob FerryPF / C1956–1959

Home courts

  • 1915, 1917 Muegge's Gymnasium (Grand Ave. and Hickory St.)
  • 1919–1920 Rock Springs Turner Hall (Boyle Ave. and Chouteau Ave.)
  • 1920–1921 College Hall
  • 1921–1922 First Regiment Armory and Macabee's Hall (911 Vandeventer Ave.)
  • 1922–1923 First Regiment Armory and Battery A Armory (1 game)
  • 1923–1924 First Regiment Armory
  • 1924–1925 SLUH Gymnasium
  • 1925–1926 First Regiment Armory, SLUH Gymnasium and St. Louis Coliseum
  • 1926–1945 St. Louis University Gymnasium (West Pine Gym)
  • 1945–1968 Kiel Auditorium
  • 1968–1973 St. Louis Arena
  • 1973–1991 Kiel Auditorium
  • 1991–1994 St. Louis Arena
  • 1994–2008 Scottrade Center (Kiel Center, Savvis Center)
  • 2008–present Chaifetz Arena

Billikens in the pros

class="wikitable"

!Player

!Attended SLU

!Current team

!Years played professionally

Marque Perry

|1999–2003

|BG Göttingen

|2003–2015

Itzik Ohanon

|2002–2005

|Ironi Ramat Gan

|1999–2011

Ian Vouyoukas

|2003–2007

|Ionikos Nikaias B.C.

|2007–present

Marcus Relphorde

|2007–2008

|Poiters

|2011–present

Kevin Lisch

|2005–2009

|Sydney Kings{{Cite web|url=http://www.basketball.net.au/ba_player/kevin-lisch/|title=Kevin Lisch {{!}} Basketball Australia|website=www.basketball.net.au|language=en-AU|access-date=2017-01-25}}

|2009–2020

Brian Conklin

|2008–2012

|Yalovaspor BK

|2012–present

Cory Remekun

|2009–2013

|Caen Basket Calvados

|2013–2019

Cody Ellis

|2009–2013

|Illawarra Hawks

|2013–2018

Dwayne Evans

|2010–2014

|Ryukyu Golden Kings

|2014–present

Jordair Jett

|2010–2014

|Nelson Giants

|2014–2019

Mike McCall Jr.

|2010–2014

|Cheshire Phoenix

|2014–present

Rob Loe

|2010–2014

|New Zealand Breakers

|2014–present

Javon Bess

|2017–2019

|Tindastóll

|2019–present

Tramaine Isabell

|2018–2019

|KK Dubrava

|2019–2022

Jordan Goodwin

|2017–2021

|Los Angeles Lakers

|2021–present

Hasahn French

|2017–2021

|Krka

|2021–present

class="wikitable"

|+Billikens in the NBA and ABA

!Player

!Attended SLU

!Team(s)

!Year(s) played

D.C. Wilcutt

|1944–1948

|St. Louis Bombers

|1949–1950

Marv Schatzman

|1947–1949

|Baltimore Bullets

|1950

Ed "Easy Ed" Macauley

|1945–1949

|St. Louis Bombers, Boston Celtics, St. Louis Hawks

|1950–1959

Bevo Nordmann

|1958–1961

|Cincinnati Royals, St. Louis Hawks, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics

|1962–1965

Richard Parks

|1964–1966

|Pittsburgh Pipers

|1968

Bob Ferry

|1956–1959

|St. Louis Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Baltimore Bullets

|1960–1969

Don Dee

|1962–1964

|Indiana Pacers

|1968–1969

Barry Orms

|1965–1968

|Baltimore Bullets, Indiana Pacers, Pittsburgh Pipers

|1969–1970

Rich Niemann

|1965–1968

|Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Carolina Cougars, The Floridians, Dallas Chaparrals

|1969–1972

Gene Moore

|1965–1968

|Kentucky Colonels, Dallas Chaparrals, New York Nets, San Diego Conquistadors, Spirits of St. Louis

|1969–1975

Harry Rogers

|1970–1973

|Spirits of St. Louis

|1976

Robin Jones

|1972–1975

|Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets

|1977–1978

David Burns

|1979–1981

|New Jersey Nets, Denver Nuggets

|1982

Anthony Bonner

|1986–1990

|Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic

|1991–1996

Larry Hughes

|1997–1998

|Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Charlotte Bobcats, Orlando Magic

|1999–2012

Willie Reed

|2008–2010

|Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons

|2015–2018

Jordan Goodwin

|2017-2021

|Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers

|2021-present

Career statistical leaders

=Points=

  • 1) 1,972 – Anthony Bonner, 6' 8" F, 1986–1990
  • 2) 1,910 – Erwin Claggett, 6' 1" G, 1991–1995
  • 3) 1,880 – Roland Gray, 6' 5" F, 1985–1989
  • 4) 1,877 – Monroe Douglass, 6' 4" G, 1985–1989
  • 5) 1,825 – Gibson Jimerson, 6’ 5” G, 2019-present
  • 6) 1,703 – Scott Highmark, 6' 5" F, 1991–1995
  • 7) 1,687 – Kevin Lisch, 6' 2" G, 2005–2009
  • 8) 1,575 – Kwamain Mitchell, 5' 10" G, 2008–2013
  • 9) 1,547 – Tommie Liddell III, 6' 4" G, 2005–2009
  • 10) 1,499 – Dwayne Evans, 6' 6" F, 2010–2014

=Rebounds=

  • 1) 1,424 – Anthony Bonner, 6' 8" F, 1986–1990
  • 2) 1,157 – Jerry Koch, 6' 4" F, 1952–1955
  • 3) 1,128 – Jim McLaughlin, 6' 4" F, 1953–1956
  • 4) 998 – Jordan Goodwin, 6' 3" G, 2017–2021
  • 5) 982 – Hasahn French, 6' 7" F, 2017–2021

=Assists=

  • 1) 878 – Yuri Collins, 6' 0" G, 2019–2023
  • 2) 436 – Josh Fisher, 6' 2" G, 2001–2004
  • 3) 424 – Charles Newberry, 6' 3" G, 1987–1990
  • 4) 422 – Jordair Jett, 6' 1" G, 2010–2014
  • 5) 420 – Kwamain Mitchell, 5' 10" G, 2008–2013

=Steals=

  • 1) 225 – Jordan Goodwin, 6' 3" G, 2017–2021
  • 2) 192 – Anthony Bonner, 6' 8" F, 1986–1990
  • 3) 179 – Josh Fisher, 6' 2" G, 2001–2004
  • 4) 176 – Yuri Collins, 6' 0" G, 2019–2023
  • 5) 174 – Jordair Jett, 6' 1" G, 2010–2014

=Blocks=

  • 1) 226 – Hasahn French, 6' 7" F, 2017–2021
  • 2) 135 – Ian Vouyoukas, 6' 11" C, 2003–2007
  • 3) 127 – Melvin Robinson, 7' 0" C, 1989–1992
  • 4) 113 – Cory Remekun, 6' 9" F, 2009–2013
  • 4) 113 – Willie Reed, 6' 11" F, 2008–2010

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{commons cat}}

  • {{official website}}
  • [http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/saint-louis/ Saint Louis] at Sports Reference

{{Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball navbox}}

{{Saint Louis University}}

{{Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Louis Billikens Men's Basketball}}