Schertz has assembled a group of players that can play his creative style of basketball. His Indiana State teams were outstanding offensively too, but this team is truly special. Six different players average double-digits in scoring and SLU is scoring over 91 points per game. They lead the nation in scoring margin (+25) and are fourth in effective field goal percentage (.604) and fifth in fast-break points (18.9 per game).
What sets them apart is their ability to defend and rebound. Saint Louis leads the nation in defensive field goal percentage and is fourth in rebounding margin (+12). Getting a team to buy in so dramatically at both ends of the floor is virtually impossible, but Schertz has done it.
They play to win and they play for one another. While they score at a dizzying pace, there is no Saint Louis player that you’ll find anywhere near the top of the Atlantic Ten scoring race. Robbie Avila leads the Bills with a 12.8 point-per-game scoring average and assists (3.8). The 6’10 senior is the ‘point center’ on this team, but everyone is involved. Reigning Atlantic Ten player of the week Kellen Thames is the Billikens’ sixth man and he’s the conference’s second most accurate shooter, nailing .722 of his shots. He leads Saint Louis in steals and in high-light-reel dunks.
Avila, Thames, Dion Brown, Amari McCottry, Trey Green and Quentin Jones all average ten or more points, but Schertz’s next three super-subs bring incredible value to the attack. While Green leads SLU with 46 triples, reserve Ishan Sharma is second with 36. Brady Dunlap is third to Avila (.444) and Green (.442) making .424 of his long distance shots. All three players rank in the A-Ten’s top ten.
The creativity and freedom of Schertz’s NBA-style, read and react offense is second to none and impossible to scout. Nine players average over sixteen minutes per game and at least six points per contest. Six make better that 35 percent of their long distance offerings and they all defend.
Schertz’s magic is real.
But are they the best ever?