Billikens Win, Majerus Whines

A week ago Billiken basketball was an embarrassment, scoring the fewest points in a game in modern college basketball history. Last night, Saint Louis University upset the Rhode Island Rams, who’re ranked 21st in the nation, 68-61.

Judging from the look on head coach Rick Majerus’ puss during the postgame press conference (see photo), it would be hard to guess which game his team had just played. Even in the wake of a much-needed, morale-boosting victory, Majerus was pinching the bridge of his nose like he had a migraine.

Rather than build his players up after a victory, he continued to tear them down.

The first question thrown at him was something along the lines of, “How important was it to get this win?”

His reply: “I’m happy for them. They’re really trying their hearts out...for the most part.”

When asked to assess the play of star Tommie Liddell – who’d had a breakout game, scoring 22 points in often spectacular fashion, including a pair of clutch three-pointers, a scorching crossover dribble and a near-impossible assist in traffic -- Majerus said:

“I’ll say this, he’s learning where his shots come from. I have to credit [assistant coach] Porter [Moser] for that, he got me to be more aggressive with the ball pick. I bit my tongue on that, because I have a tendency to be more precise.”

In response to a question about how the team was able to overcome an opponent with superior size, Majerus complained, “I think we are the smallest Division I team in the country, with the exception of Bryce [Husak]. Everyone is more athletic, everyone is bigger.”

As the press conference concluded, Majerus stared at a water bottle he was holding as though it were a doughnut he was about to annihilate and said, “It’s nice, but it’s one win, it’s one night.”

Hey Rick, your team just won. They played their best ball of the season. Enjoy it!

-Keegan Hamilton