If you’ve spent any time at Chaifetz Arena lately, you know the vibe has shifted. It’s not just the smell of popcorn or the blue-and-white face paint. It’s the fact that Josh Schertz, in only his second season, has the Saint Louis Billikens playing a brand of "Schertz-ball" that’s basically turned Midtown into a track meet.
Honestly, the st louis schedule basketball grind is where seasons go to die or where legends get made, and we are right in the thick of the Atlantic 10 gauntlet.
Right now, the Billikens are sitting on a 16-1 record. That’s not a typo. Since that heartbreaker against Stanford back in November—where a buzzer-beating three-pointer ended their perfect run—this team has been on an absolute tear. They’ve won ten straight. They aren’t just winning; they’re dropping 100 points on people like it’s a weekend runs at the YMCA.
The January Gauntlet: No Nights Off
The upcoming stretch is where the pretenders get sorted from the contenders. If you're looking to catch a game, the schedule is packed with high-stakes matchups.
- January 17 (Saturday): Richmond comes to town. 3:00 PM tip-off. Richmond is always a tough out with their back-door cuts and disciplined defense, but the Billikens’ pace usually wears teams down by the under-eight timeout in the second half.
- January 20 (Tuesday): A road trip to Pittsburgh to face Duquesne. 6:00 PM. Road games in the A-10 are notoriously "grimy."
- January 23 (Friday): Another road test at St. Bonaventure. 4:30 PM. The Reilly Center is a tiny, loud basement of a gym that ruins seasons.
- January 27 (Tuesday): Back home against George Washington. 7:00 PM.
- January 30 (Friday): The big one. Dayton. 7:00 PM at Chaifetz. This is the game everyone has circled. If you don't have tickets yet, good luck.
The Dayton rivalry is different. It’s the kind of game where you can’t hear the person sitting next to you. With both teams usually fighting for the top spot in the conference, this late-January clash could essentially decide who gets the inside track for the A-10 regular-season title.
Why Robbie Avila Changes Everything
You can't talk about the Billikens' success without mentioning Robbie Avila. They call him "Cream Abdul-Jabbar" for a reason. He followed Schertz from Indiana State, and his passing ability from the center position is basically a cheat code.
He’s averaging nearly 13 points and 4 assists. For a guy his size, that's wild. When he stands at the top of the key, the entire defense has to freeze. If you stay on him, he finds a cutting Dion Brown or Kellen Thames. If you sag off, he hits a three that looks like it’s being shot in slow motion but somehow always finds the net.
Then there’s Dion Brown. The guy is a walking bucket. He’s been the defensive spark too, leading a unit that held VCU to just 62 points in a tough road win earlier this month.
Don't Forget the Women's Team
The SLU women’s basketball team is also navigating a brutal conference stretch. They’ve had some ups and downs—currently sitting at 9-10—but they’re dangerous at home.
The st louis schedule basketball for the women's side has some massive home dates coming up. On January 18, they host Dayton at 1:00 PM. Following that, they have a huge matchup against Loyola Chicago on January 24. Coach Rebecca Tillett has this group playing hard, and with players like Kyla McMakin previously setting the bar high, the current roster is still finding its identity in the A-10.
Breaking Down the "Schertz-Ball" Impact
What’s interesting is how the local media and fans have reacted to the offensive explosion. SLU is currently 10th in the nation in points per game, averaging over 92 points. That is a massive departure from the "slug-it-out" days of the past decade.
The efficiency is what’s scary. They aren't just taking a lot of shots; they're taking the right shots. Their offensive rating is 7th in the country.
Key Performance Indicators for the Rest of the Season
- Three-Point Variance: They live and die by the arc. If Ishan Sharma and Trey Green are hitting, SLU is unbeatable.
- Home Court Protection: Chaifetz Arena has been a fortress (12-0 this year). They cannot afford to drop a "trap game" like the George Washington matchup.
- Health: Avila and Brown are playing heavy minutes. With the A-10 tournament in March, depth will become a major talking point.
What to Watch for in February
The schedule doesn't get easier. February starts with a road trip to Davidson (Feb 3) and includes another date with Dayton on the road (Feb 24). The regular season ends with a home game against Loyola Chicago on March 4 and a trip to George Mason on March 7.
If the Billikens keep this pace, we aren't just talking about an A-10 title; we're talking about a serious seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The reality is that St. Louis hasn't had this kind of basketball buzz in a long time. It feels like 2012-2014 all over again, but with way more scoring. Whether you're a die-hard alum or just someone looking for a good Saturday afternoon plan, the Billikens are the best show in town right now.
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Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Ticket Strategy: For the Dayton game on Jan 30, check secondary markets like SeatGeek or StubHub early; the box office is likely to be thin.
- Arrival Time: Chaifetz is doing a lot of themed nights (like "Academic Excellence Night" on Jan 14). Arrive at least 45 minutes before tip if you want a decent parking spot in the Olive Garage.
- Streaming: If you can't make it, most games are on ESPN+ or FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally Sports). The national games on USA Network or CBSSN require a cable login or a service like YouTube TV.
- Follow the Metrics: Watch the KenPom rankings. As of mid-January, SLU is hovering around the top 30, which is prime territory for an at-large bid if they stumble in the conference tournament.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for Paul Otieno and Amari McCottry, as their defensive versatility allows Avila to stay out of foul trouble. If those two stay healthy, this team has no ceiling.