When the plan makes it possible for, coach Travis Ford prefers to leave for a highway game two days early to get settled, preserve a routine and make it possible for gamers far more time collectively in a setting without distractions.
So, St. Louis University left Thursday for Saturday’s match at St. Joseph’s and will adhere to a similar itinerary for upcoming week’s game at Massachusetts.
In search of keys to accomplishment on the street is a never-ending conundrum for coaches and one particular Ford will will need to uncover promptly if the Billikens assume to challenge for the prime of the Atlantic 10.
“None of the teams in our league travel substantially with lovers on the road,” Ford claimed. “So it is everyone in the locker room against absolutely everyone else.”
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The Billikens have not learned the code to regularity in A-10 highway games, which is one purpose they have not challenged for the frequent-year title since 2014.
In the final 5 seasons, they are 17-24 absent from Chaifetz Arena in meeting, the seventh-ideal report in that time. They are 20-32 total on the highway about that extend.
SLU opens A-10 participate in with 4 of its initially 6 video games on the street.
“The street is tricky for the reason that you really don’t have as much power,” senior Fred Thatch Jr. mentioned. “You test to target on enjoying defense. If you perform excellent defense, even if a recreation is not likely the way you want, it will deliver electricity and all the things falls into put. If you’re guarding you have a chance to acquire online games.”
Ford hopes that extra bonding and extra time alongside one another can be a single smaller component that leads to that energy.
This yr in correct road online games, SLU shed in a blowout at Iona and practically pulled an upset at Auburn. The Billikens were being 4-5 in convention street games very last period, but that does not minimize it if you aim to finish to start with.
The worst highway document to earn the normal period in recent years was 5-4. Normally, people groups have won at minimum 7 on the street in the league.
Ford will seem for a quick start with an further day absent from residence.
“I’ve performed it ahead of, particularly in the course of the crack when they are not in school,” he stated. “I feel it is excellent for them to get away with each other when so a lot of are from St. Louis, and they have obligations with girlfriends and household and a whole lot likely on. We’ve discovered they really do not hang out as a lot off the courtroom due to the fact most are from listed here. It is very good to have time to ourselves and hope to create the chemistry we have to have.”
SLU has experienced highway games get out of control speedily in current years, primary to one particular-sided effects or deficits also substantial to conquer. Not counting Ford’s very first time at SLU, when he inherited the full roster, the Billikens have endured 5 highway losses by 20 or much more details.
On the flip aspect, SLU has experienced some spectacular road wins in and out of conference, which include at Boise State, Seton Corridor, Kansas Point out and Boston College or university.
Nevertheless, some A-10 arenas have been hard to crack. The Billikens haven’t gained in 4 trips to Davidson given that the Wildcats joined the meeting. They have misplaced their last eight online games at Dayton. There have been no wins in six outings to VCU. SLU will play at all of those people in the subsequent two months.
Some venues are regarded for so-known as hostile environments, these kinds of as Dayton and VCU. In other street game titles, SLU will be at Fordham, which averages 312 supporters for each sport, George Washington (1,426), St. Joseph’s (1,494) and Davidson (3,120).
“You have to continue to be related in their arena and produce your own vitality as a crew,” senior Terrence Hargrove Jr. mentioned. “Especially through convention participate in.”
Under Ford, SLU has completed 11th, sixth, sixth, fourth, fourth and fifth in the regular year. In accordance to kenpom.com, the Billikens are anticipated to be favored in seven of their nine highway conference online games.
Acquire benefit, and they could locate themselves close to the major as the year nears a close. Surprising losses could promptly harm that pursuit.
