Saint Louis (2-0) vs. Virginia Tech (2-0)
Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 | 6 p.m. (CT) | New York, N.Y. (Madison Square Garden)
TV: ESPN2 (Jon Sciambi, Sean Farnham)
Radio: 101 ESPN – 101.1 FM (Bob Ramsey, Earl Austin Jr.)
Online Coverage: WatchESPN | 101ESPN.com | Live Stats | @SaintLouisMBB on Twitter
SETTING THE SCENE
– Saint Louis faces Virginia Tech Thursday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Tip time is 6 p.m. (CT). It is the opening game of the championship round of the 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project.
– The winner advances to Friday's championship game, which will be held at 6 p.m. (CT) at MSG. The consolation game is Friday at 4 p.m. (CT).
– Providence and Washington play on the other side of the bracket Thursday following the SLU-Virginia Tech matchup.
– This will be the Billikens' first appearance at Madison Square Garden since 1990 when the Billikens made its second straight appearance in the NIT final. SLU is 2-2 all-time at the current Madison Square Garden.
– From the 1940s through the 1960s, the Billikens registered a 7-7 record at the Madison Square Garden that was located uptown from its current location at Eighth Avenue at 50th Street in Manhattan. That is where the Billikens won the 1948 NIT Championship behind an MVP performance by Ed Macauley.
A LOOK AT THE BILLIKENS
Roster | Schedule | 2017-18 Statistics
– The Billikens come to New York with a 2-0 record after picking up home victories against Seattle and Rockhurst.
– SLU is coming off a 74-50 win over Rockhurst Monday at Chaifetz Arena. Sophomore forward Jalen Johnson led the way with 14 points as five Billikens scored in double figures.
– For the season, seven Billikens average 6.0 or more ppg. Junior guard Javon Bess leads with 13.5 ppg, while Aaron Hines registers 13.5 ppg.
– Freshman point guard Jordan Goodwin leads the Billikens in rebounding (8.0 per game), assists (6.0 per game), steals (4.0 per game) and blocks (2.0 per game).
– The Billikens are tied for eighth in the nation in scoring defense as of Tuesday, Nov. 14, yielding 48.0 ppg.
– SLU head coach Travis Ford is in is second season leading the Billikens and his 21st year as a collegiate head coach. He has a 14-21 record at SLU and a 350-287 record overall.
A LOOK AT THE HOKIES
Roster | Schedule | 2017-18 Statistics
– Virginia Tech (2-0) brings a high-octane offense to Madison Square Garden.
– The Hokies exceeded 100 points in both of their wins this season – a 111-79 win over Detroit Mercy and a 132-93 triumph against The Citadel.
– Virginia Tech's 121.5 points per game rank second in the NCAA so far this season (as of Tuesday, Nov. 14). As a team, they are shooting 62.5 percent (90-144) from the field and 44.2 percent (19-43) from 3-point range.
– Nickeil Alexander-Walker (26.5 ppg) and Kerry Blackshear Jr. (22.5 ppg) lead VT in scoring.
– Virginia Tech is led by fourth-year head coach Buzz Williams. The Hokies have made two straight postseason appearances – the NCAA Tournament last season and the NIT in 2015-16.
SERIES HISTORY
– This will be the eighth meeting between the Billikens and Hokies. Virginia Tech leads the series 7-0.
– The Billikens and Hokies played regularly in the late 1970s and early 1980s as members of the Metro Conference.
