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Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball

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 11 times, most recently in 2026.

History

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. 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. Jim Crews, one of his assistants, took over for him on a temporary basis for that season. 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.

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

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. Crews was paid a $1.86 million buyout in 2016-17, according to tax forms.

Travis Ford era

On March 30, 2016, Saint Louis University announced that Travis Ford has been hired as the head basketball coach. He inherited a Billikens team that had gone a disappointing 11–21 each of the previous two seasons under Jim Crews. 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. Basketball statistician Ken Pomeroy also predicted the Billikens as the team most likely to go winless during its conference schedule. Ford led the Billikens to six Atlantic 10 conference wins and a 12–21 overall record. 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. Ford and SLU parted ways following the 2023-24 season.

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.

Postseason appearances

NCAA tournament results

The Billikens have appeared in 11 NCAA Tournaments. Their combined record is 7–11.

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.

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.

Individual honors

Retired numbers

Honored jerseys

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

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

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, 2019-2025
  • 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

External links