Saint Louis returns to Chaifetz Arena on Tuesday night to host the Northern Kentucky Norse, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. CT. The Billikens enter the matchup off a strong start to the season and carrying a lengthy home winning streak into a contest that offers an early test against a Horizon League opponent coming off an eventful opening week.
SLU is coming off a 90-84 victory over Missouri in the Regions Bank Show Me Showdown at Enterprise Center, where the Billikens controlled the majority of the game and placed five players in double figures in front of more than 18,000 fans. The balanced scoring that defined last season’s rotation has carried over early, with Quentin Jones leading the way at 14.5 points per game, followed by Amari McCottry (13.5) and Trey Green (13.0). Alon Michaeli is averaging 12.0 points and a team-high 7.5 rebounds, while Kellen Thames (11.5) and Ishan Sharma (11.0) also sit in double figures. That offensive efficiency has SLU ranked among the top 20 nationally in both field-goal percentage and three-point percentage through the first week of the season. The Billikens continue to receive votes in the Associated Press Top 25, ranking as the second team outside the poll.
Defensively and at home, SLU brings a significant streak into Tuesday’s game. The Billikens have won 23 consecutive games at Chaifetz Arena, dating back to February 22, 2025, against Rhode Island. That run includes a perfect 19-0 home record last season and currently ranks as the sixth-longest active home winning streak in Division I. Head coach Josh Schertz, who is 50-21 at Saint Louis and owns a 453-130 career record, has overseen the sustained success. His career winning percentage of .777 ranks among the top 10 of all active NCAA head coaches across all three divisions.
Northern Kentucky arrives at 2-1 after a busy opening stretch. The Norse opened the season as part of the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon at the Sanford Pentagon in South Dakota, defeating UTEP 84-76 before winning at South Dakota 102-94 two days later. They then fell 104-67 at Texas A&M. Freshman guard Willie Foster has been the standout early, earning Horizon League Freshman of the Week honors after leading the nation in total points with 69 through the first week. The 6-2 guard is averaging 23.0 points per game while ranking among the national leaders in made field goals and free throws. Noah Pagotto, a 6-8 forward, has been highly efficient at 19.0 points per game on 70 percent shooting, while Eric Acker (17.3) and B.J. Davis-Ray (11.7) also average in double figures. Head coach Darrin Horn is in his eighth season at Northern Kentucky and has guided the program to two Horizon League titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
Tuesday’s game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+, with Tom Ackerman and Troy Robertson on the call. Radio coverage is available on 104.1 FM / 1120 AM KMOX and the Varsity Network App, with longtime voices Bob Ramsey and Earl Austin Jr. handling the broadcast. Live stats will be available via StatBroadcast.
For SLU, the priority is maintaining the home momentum and the early-season shooting and scoring balance against a Northern Kentucky team that has already shown it can put points on the board in volume. The Norse will look to build on Foster’s hot start and the production from Pagotto and Acker in an environment where the Billikens have been difficult to beat.
