A pair of NCAA Tournament teams from last season, Saint Louis and Missouri, will renew an in-state rivalry on Friday night in St. Louis.
The Billikens (1-0) and Tigers (1-0) will square off at a neutral site for their first meeting since 2001. The game will be at the Enterprise Center, home of the NHL’s St. Louis Blues.
“This is a great opportunity for both programs,” Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz said. “And I hope it’s something that continues in perpetuity, long after Coach (Dennis) Gates and I are coaching at our respective places.”
Saint Louis opened its season by defeating another team that qualified for the NCAA Tournament last season — Lehigh of the Patriot League — 92-67 on Monday.
Quentin Jones and Kellen Thames tied for game-high scoring honors with 15 points apiece to lead six Billikens in double figures.
Thames played just 20 minutes, converted all six of his field-goal attempts, pulled down six rebounds and added three steals.
“He does the same thing all the time,” Schertz said. “He is so good downhill and impossible to keep out of the lane in transition. … There’s nobody in the country better than Kellen Thames in transition.”
Colorado transfer Alon Michaeli added 11 points and six rebounds. Schertz said Michaeli, an Israeli forward, is adjusting to the Billikens’ style.
“Alon came out and was really aggressive downhill,” Schertz said. “He’s so good with the ball. He’s so skilled as a driver. He’s a capable shooter, but he can really pass. He’s a skilled offensive player.”
On Thursday, Saint Louis standout Robbie Avila was granted a preliminary injunction for a fifth season of eligibility. St. Louis City Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser also said Saint Louis can exceed the 15-player roster limit by adding Avila until a trial is held, which could be after the season.
Schertz said Avila will be in uniform against Missouri after saying on Wednesday that the 6-foot-10 big man, the reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, was likely to play if he gained eligibility.
Missouri rolled to a 111-50 home victory over Cleveland State on Tuesday. All five Tigers starters scored in double figures, led by Jason Crowe Jr. with 23 points. Reserves Kennard Davis Jr. and Jamier Jones added 19 and 13 points, respectively.
“We’ve got seven starters, I believe,” Gates said. “We have to continue to be unselfish for us to achieve our goals.”
Despite the Tigers topping the century mark, Davis said Missouri must remain focused on shutting down opposing offenses.
“It’s not (our) offense we are worried about,” Davis said. “It’s the defense we need to focus on. Everyone can score the ball.”
