Once Upon A Time In Las Vegas – Super Bowl
The Dayton Flyers play host to the Saint Louis Billikens on Friday night in a crucial A10 showdown from the University of Dayton Arena. Both teams come into this one having grabbed a win their last time out and considering they are only separated by a half-game in the conference standings, this is one of the most highly anticipated games of the season. These two haven't faced off yet this season, though SLU did win the last time they met, a little over a year ago. The Flyers have won seven of the last ten though, while they hope that being at home gives them the leg up that they need.
Picked to finish right near the top of the A10 in the preseason basketball poll, the Billikens were able to get back into the win column the last time out. Back-to-back losses to VCU and Fordham cast some doubt over how the rest of the season might go, though seven wins in their last nine games are still impressive. After back-to-back home games, they go back on the road for Friday night, which could play a huge role in this one. SLU is only 4-4 in true road games this season and heading into one of the toughest environments in college basketball and the A10 leaves quite a bit to be desired. With a pair of home games to follow, a win on Friday could go a long way toward this group stringing together a nice win streak as March approaches.
The Billikens have four players out for this game, with three of those injured and the fourth having redshirted. Fred Thatch Jr. (knee) is probably the biggest absence in the lineup. Having averaged just north of 20 minutes per game, his depth will continue to be missed in the backcourt.
Yuri Collins is now the all-time leader in assists in @A10MBB history ??
(via @CBSSportsCBB)pic.twitter.com/bC0uvRVg6c
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 8, 2023
SLU's success starts on the offensive end, though they haven't seen a defense as strong as Dayton's yet this season. It should help that the Billikens have one of the most experienced guards in the country, with Yuri Collins (11.7 ppg, 10.1 apg) giving this offense the balance it needs out of the backcourt. The lack of frontcourt scoring is a major concern though, especially against a team as physical as the Flyers. The defense ranks 36th in field-goal percentage defense but 220th in scoring defense, with their pace of play accounting for the variation between those two numbers. One name to keep an eye on is Javon Pickett (9.7 ppg), who has been around the program for a handful of years, and will ensure his teammates aren't daunted on the road.
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