ST. LOUIS BILLIKENS
Head Coach: Brad Soderberg
Last Season: 9-21
Postseason: None
This Season: 5-4 with wins over Eastern Illinois, Southern Illinois, Jackson State, Oakland and Kennesaw, and losses to Hawaii, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, North Carolina and Mississippi.
2005/06 Outlook: The Billikens get a change of scenery this year as they move from Conference USA to the Atlantic 10 with a tough, defensive minded crew that will attempt to slow down many of the high powered offenses in their new league. Last year Soderberg’s bunch held opponents to under 65 PPG. This season they are holding teams to 64 PPG. The Billikens are looking to accompany that solid defense with some improved offense. Soderberg was able to land a couple of really skilled offensive players, and one of those players, freshman wing Tommie Liddell, is considered to be the best recruit SLU has landed since Larry Hughes. While there is a lot of inexperience on this team, they do have four upperclassmen in their regular rotation.
Key Players:
#00 G Dwayne Polk (5-9, soph. 2005/06 = 6.0 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, 34% FG, 12% 3PT, 82% FT)
Very competitive point man who led his high school team to three Missouri state titles. Lefty shooter. Has long arms. Very athletic. Can be inconsistent as a shooter. Takes care of the basketball well.
#20 G Anthony Drejaj (6-2, senior. 2005/06 = 8.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.0 APG, 42% FG, 50% 3PT, 67% FT)
Another strong competitor. Probably SLU’s best on ball defender. Bulky body. Has good handles. Often attacks the basket for scoring opportunities for his teammates and himself. Has greatly improved his perimeter jump shot.
#21 G Kevin Lisch ( 6-2, freshman. 2005/06 = 8.2 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 42% FG, 36% 3PT, 78% FT)
SLU’s best pure outside shooter. Shoots lefty. Can also score off the dribble.
#25 G Tommie Liddell (6-4, freshman. 2005/06 = 13.1 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.2 APG 49% FG, 66% FT)
Considered SLU’s best recruit since Larry Hughes. Another lefty. Has a nice turnaround jumper. Sets up opponents well with patient offensive moves. Very skilled from 15 feet on in. Not much of a long distance shooter.
#15 C Ian Vouyoukas (6-10, junior. 2005/06 = 14.1 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 57% FG, 77% FT)
Hails from Greece. Finesse player with a nice set of post skills. Can score with either hand, and shoot a bit from the outside. Very good passer for a big man. Bothered by physical play at times. Good rebounder.
#23 F Justin Johnson (6-8, junior. 2005/06 = 3.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 32% FG, 92% FT)
Athletic, long armed big man who can shoot from the outside.
#1 G Danny Brown (6-4, soph. 2005/06 = 5.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 36% FG, 31% 3 PT, 67% FT)
Athletic wing with a nice mid range jumper.
#33 F Vas’Shun Newborne (6-6, senior. 2005/06 = 4.0 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 47% FG, 50% FT)
Athletic defender with solid rebounding skills.