The No. 19 Saint Louis Billikens (22-1, 10-0 A-10) host the La Salle Explorers (7-16, 3-7 A-10) today, at 2 p.m. CT in Chaifetz Arena. This Atlantic 10 matchup marks the final home game for SLU before a two-game road trip and a bye week, with the Billikens not returning to Chaifetz until February 20 against VCU for the annual Billiken Blue Out.
Fans can catch the action on FanDuel Sports Network (with Tom Ackerman, Troy Robertson, and Tamar Sher on the call) and streamed on ESPN+. Radio coverage is on 104.1 FM / 1120 AM KMOX and the Varsity Network App, featuring the legendary duo of Bob Ramsey (in his 40th season) and Earl Austin Jr. (35th season), recently honored with the Burnes-Broeg Award.
Saint Louis enters the game on fire, boasting a 16-game winning streak—the longest since the 19-game run in 2013-14. Their 22-1 record through 23 games is the best start in program history. Ranked No. 19 in the latest AP Top 25 (their first top-20 appearance since climbing as high as No. 10 in 2013-14), the Billikens dominate both ends of the floor.
Offensively, SLU ranks fifth nationally in scoring at 91.3 points per game and leads the country with a +23.3 scoring margin. They’ve tied for the NCAA lead with seven 100-point games. Defensively, they hold opponents to a .365 field-goal percentage (No. 1 nationally), lead in defensive effective field-goal percentage, and rank second in offensive eFG% per KenPom. Rebounding is another strength: seventh in rebounds per game (42.4), seventh in rebound margin (+10.5), and first in defensive rebounds per game (31.2).
Depth is a hallmark this season, with six players averaging double figures and eight at 8.0+ ppg—one of just three Division I programs with such balanced scoring.
Key standouts include:
- Robbie Avila (13.0 ppg), who leads all NCAA centers in 3-pointers made per game (1.9) and assists per game (4.0). He’s on preseason watch lists for the Naismith Trophy, Oscar Robertson Trophy, Wooden Award, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award.
- Trey Green, the reigning A-10 Player of the Week, averages 12.3 ppg while leading the league in 3-pointers made per game (3.23) and ranking third nationally in 3FG% (.480).
- Brady Dunlap, fresh off a career-high 22 points (including a perfect 6-of-6 from 3-point range—the best single-game mark in school history) in a win at Davidson.
Head coach Josh Schertz (18th season overall, .780 winning percentage—No. 8 among active NCAA coaches) has built an elite squad that’s excelling in efficiency and balance.
The Explorers arrive reeling from a three-game skid, including a 10-point loss at Loyola Chicago. Under first-year head coach Darris Nichols (previously at Radford), La Salle has shown flashes but faces an uphill battle.
Leading scorers include Jaeden Marshall (12.9 ppg overall, though he missed the earlier meeting with SLU) and Jerome Brewer Jr. (14.0 ppg in A-10 play, but he missed the last game due to injury). Josiah Harris (5.7 rpg, fourth in A-10 offensive rebounds at 2.38) and Jaden Johnson (4.10 assists per game in conference, sixth in A-10) provide support, though injuries have hampered consistency.
Saint Louis dominates the all-time series 26-10, including 20-7 in A-10 regular-season games. The Billikens have won eight straight and 13 of the last 14. In the first matchup on January 10 in Philadelphia, SLU pulled away for an 84-72 victory.
With their elite offense, stifling defense, and perfect 10-0 A-10 record, the top-ranked Billikens in the conference look to extend their dominance at home (where they’re undefeated this season) and keep pace in the A-10 race. La Salle will aim to play spoiler and snap their skid, but facing this surging, nationally ranked SLU team in Chaifetz Arena presents a tough challenge.
Expect the Billikens to leverage their depth, shooting, and rebounding edge in what should be an entertaining afternoon tilt. Tip-off is at 2 p.m. CT—don’t miss it!
