The 2020 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament will include Blackburn College, Fontbonne University, Greenville University, and Webster University. The four teams will start their march for a tournament title on Thursday night with all tournament games being hosted by Webster University in St. Louis, Mo.
For the second consecutive season Webster University claimed the SLIAC regular season title. And after reaching the tournament championship game last year, this postseason they will be looking to collect the tournament title. The preseason favorites have not disappointed this season, rolling to a 17-8 overall record and a 16-2 SLIAC mark. They bring a 10 game winning streak into the postseason and are averaging 81.8 points per game while holding their opponents to a league-low 75.8 points per game. The Gorloks feature a triple headed monster with Josh Johnson, Rodson Etienne, and Enrique Tankins. Johnson is one of the top scorers in the league, averaging 18.3 points per game, while Etienne is putting up 16.0 points per game while ranking 2nd in the league in field-goal percentage at 62-percent. Tankins is arguably the league's most well-rounded players; averaging 14.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game with 44 steals and 41 blocks.
playing some tough non-conference games early, we knew there would be adjustments and some adversity. Our players really did a great job of staying positive and helping everyone to continue to believe in each other. Then, after we won a few conference games everyone started playing with a little more confidence. The seniors and Rodson (Etienne) have been as good a group leadership-wise as any team I have had." - webster HEAD COACH chris bunch
Greenville is back in the postseason once again after going 12-6 in the SLIAC and 13-12 overall. Despite a slow start to the season they seemingly hit their stride in January when they won 9 of 11 games. The break-neck offense is averaging 132.2 points per game this season with Sontiago Grady leading the way at 21.2 points per game. After missing early games Marvin Bateman and Eric Williams have returned to form. Bateman is averaging 15.8 points per game, connecting on 39-percent of his three-point shots while Williams is scoring 14.8 points per game. Henry Johnson (13.8 ppg) and Riley Simmons (13.4 ppg) are also averaging in double figures in scoring. The high-risk, high-reward defense is averaging 20.4 steals and 5.3 blocks per game but also allows 130.6 points per game.
Returning to the postseason for the first time since 2015, the Griffins went 14-11 overall and 12-6 in the SLIAC. They are averaging 87.3 points per game this season and bring with them a three game winning streak. Anthony Jones' scoring explosion has led the way this season. After averaging just 4.7 points per game last year he is putting up 17.0 points per game this season, shooting 58-percent from the field. The Griffins scoring depth shows with their next two leading scorers coming off the bench in the form of Jared Woodcock (11.2 ppg) and Jalen Wadlington (10.1 ppg). Elijah Rice is the fourth and final Griffin that averages in double figures in scoring. Fontbonne beats teams with good, close-in shots, shooting 47-percent from the field as a team, while hoisting just 19 three's per game (3rd fewest in the league).
Our guys are hugely excited about getting our program back to the tournament, they wanted to show everyone they could make this happen. They also understand the winning tradition we have had here for so many years, and made it their mission to get the program back to where it once was. They are a bunch of great guys riding this momentum to take on the next exciting challenge that comes their way." - fontbonne HEAD COACH lance thornhill
After missing out on the postseason for over a decade, Blackburn is making its 3rd consecutive trip to the tournament. The program's turnaround can be directly linked to the arrival of guard Karson Hayes. Hayes has increased his scoring output in every year since putting on the Beavers jersey, including this year's 20.0 points per game. Fellow senior Nigel Ferrell (12.9 ppg) and sophomore Chanz Aldridge (12.4 ppg) are the secondary options on offense. Bryson Kirby and David Lopez, along with Hayes and Aldridge, form a deadly three-point shooting group that rank 3rd in the SLIAC in made three-pointers. Although the guard heavy team ranks last in the league in rebounding they offset that by turning the ball over just 14.4 times per game, 2nd fewest in the league.
Karson (Hayes) is an exceptional talent. he is One of the best players in Blackburn College history. Karson has had big games through his time here that have played a key role in reaching the tournament three consecutive years. I know that Karson, as well as the rest of the team, is excited to compete in the conference tournament." - blackburn head coach austin kirby
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Created with an image by Todd Greene - "untitled image"