The Saint Louis Billikens (12-1) kick off Atlantic 10 Conference play on New Year’s Eve, hosting the Saint Joseph’s Hawks in a matinee matchup at Chaifetz Arena.
Saint Louis enters the game with its best start in over a decade, sitting at 12-1 for the first time since the 2011-12 season. A victory would push the Billikens to 13-1, their strongest opening since the 1993-94 squad started 14-0.
The Bills have been unbeatable at Chaifetz Arena, going 10-0 this season and riding a 13-game home winning streak dating back to last year—the longest in arena history. Saint Joseph’s has never won at Chaifetz, with SLU holding a perfect 10-0 record there against the Hawks.
Offensively, Saint Louis has been explosive, scoring 85+ points in a program-record six straight games, including a school-best five 100-point outings. The Billikens dominate several A-10 statistical categories, leading in scoring margin (No. 2 nationally), fastbreak points (No. 4), scoring offense (No. 9), and rebounding (No. 3 in rebounds per game at 45.6; No. 2 in rebound margin at +15.7). Defensively, opponents shoot just 35.8% overall (No. 3 NCAA) and 27.2% from three (No. 9).
Key contributors include:
- Dion Brown: Leads SLU in scoring (13.2 ppg) and rebounding (6.9 rpg), with an elite .664 FG% (7th nationally, tied for 1st among guards with 5+ makes/game).
- Robbie Avila: The unique center tops all Division I bigs with 3.6 assists per game; he’s the only active player with 1,500+ points, 600+ rebounds, and 350+ assists in his career.
- Trey Green: Second in the A-10 with 2.77 made threes per game (11.6 ppg overall).
Head coach Josh Schertz, in his 18th season as a collegiate head coach, boasts a .776 winning percentage (No. 8 among active coaches).
Saint Joseph’s (8-5) arrives under first-year head coach Steve Donahue, who took over in September after Billy Lange departed for an NBA front-office role. The Hawks are coming off an 87-65 win over Division III Arcadia.
Sophomore Jaiden Glover-Toscano paces the active roster at 15.0 ppg, highlighted by a career-high 29 points in his return from injury. He leads the team with 2.7 made threes per game. Khaffiq Myers has stepped up recently, averaging 12.3 points and 2.7 assists over the last three contests.
The Hawks bring size with three players 6-10 or taller, leading the A-10 in blocks (5.2 per game, No. 25 nationally) and offensive rebounds (13.8 per game).
Series History
Saint Louis holds an 18-6 all-time edge, splitting last year’s home-and-home series (each winning at home). The Billikens are unbeaten against SJU at Chaifetz Arena.
How to Follow
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network (Tom Ackerman, Troy Robertson, Tamar Sher)
- Stream: ESPN+
- Radio: 104.1 FM / 1120 AM KMOX or Varsity Network App (Bob Ramsey, Earl Austin Jr.—celebrating Ramsey’s 40th and Austin’s 35th seasons calling SLU games)
- Live Stats: StatBroadcast
