Maybe the best times in the history of the SLU program.
But making the dance is one thing. Advancing is another and SLU was not given any favors in their draw.
Here are five thoughts on the Billikens, where they were seeded, and SLU's chances in the NCAA Tournament.
1. I think SLU was vastly overseeded
Nope, this will not be popular among the SLU faithful, but I do not think the Billikens deserved a No. 5 seed. Not after losing to RPI No. 199 Duquesne at Chafeitz Arena a few weeks ago while closing the season with a losses in five of the team's final six games.
SLU was treated very well by the committee and rewarded for the 19-game winning streak this senior laden team was able to rattle off, all of which while playing only five games against teams with a RPI in the Top 25.
I thought SLU should have been a No. 8 or 9 seed, with a No. 7 seed being the best case scenario. Of course, as usual, my forecast was a wee bit off.
2. The entire A10 was vastly overseeded.
When it was announced early that VCU was a No. 5 seed, it was a good omen for SLU and the rest of the A10.
A No. 5 seed felt awfully high for both VCU and SLU, neither of which won the A10 tournament. A No. 6 seed for UMass also felt like a stretch and the fact that Dayton was No. 11 and not in the play-in game really made it clear that the selection committee valued the body of work of the A10 this season greatly.
I think they may have overvalued it just a bit, and I mean that with no disrespect towards SLU, VCU or anyone else in the conference.
3. I have no idea who SLU will play in its first game, but I know it will not be easy.
Coach K vouched for NC State to make this field, which was questionable judgement on his part. It was even more questionable for the committee, led by the AD at Wake Forest of the ACC, to include NC State in the field.
That being said, NC State's athleticism could be a problem for SLU and if the Billikens get matched up with Xavier, then we should know by now that it would be a battle. Just last year the two schools were A10 rivals and a game with the Muskateers would make for an interesting matchup.
4. If SLU does win its first game, how will the Billikens stop Montrez Harrell?
If SLU wins, they get the daunting task of facing Rick Pitino's Louisville Cardinals.
Sure, the headlines will always focus on Russ Smith when it comes to Louisville and many SLU fans will likely suggest that Jordair Jett can matchup with the ubber-talented and charismatic Smith, but that not is the matchup to watch.
How in the world will SLU, which plays Dwayne Evans at the power forward, matchup with Montrez Harrell, who is easily the most talented, and most athletic, poward forward in the country?
The answer is, that SLU can't matchup with Harrell and unless Louisville plays "Russdiculously" it will be hard to imagine that SLU will be able to pull off an upset.
5. No matter the outcome, SLU fans should enjoy and embrace this era of Billiken basketball.
SLU may very get bounced out of the tournament early. Jim Crews may have had his team peak a bit too early.
But nonetheless, SLU fans should enjoy this era of basketball which was started by the unique personality of the late Rick Majerus and continued by Crews.
When the Uinversity let go of Brad Soderberg, it had a vision of reaching national prosperity and success. Bringing in Majerus was the plan, and it worked. Majerus rebuilt this program from the ground up and the last three seasons of winning basketball has revitalized the school's reputation to a point where a NCAA Tournament bid is the expectation.
SLU has had a great season. They play basketball the right way. No matter what happens later this week, SLU fans have plenty to be proud of.
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