2014 NCAA Tournament: Saint Louis' 5 Most Important Players

By Spencer Impellizzeri

Saint Louis' 5 Most Important Players

Jim Crews Saint Louis
Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

Rick Majerus rebuilt the Saint Louis program and is to credit for a lot of the current success. Jim Crews took over for Majerus last season and continued the recent run of success for the Billikens. The Billikens have been to three straight NCAA tournaments under Majerus and Crews, and are poised to make a run in this year's tournament.

5. Austin McBroom

Austin McBroom Saint Louis
Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

5. Austin McBroom

Austin McBroom Saint Louis
Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

Austin McBroom doesn't start for Saint Louis, but he is a key player off the bench. He leads the team in free throw percentage at just over 90 percent and leads the eight regular players in three-point percentage, at 35 percent. Guard play will be key for the Billikens, especially if they face Louisville in the second round, so McBroom should have a big role.

4. Rob Loe

Rob Loe Saint Louis
Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

4. Rob Loe

Rob Loe Saint Louis
Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

Rob Loe is a big man who also has the ability to step out on the perimeter and hit some shots. He is tied for third on the team in scoring, averaging 9.9 points per game, and is second in rebounding, averaging 5.4 rebounds per game. Loe will be key for the Billikens this tournament, as he is such a versatile big man.

3. Mike McCall Jr.

Mike McCall Jr. Saint Louis
Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

3. Mike McCall Jr.

Mike McCall Jr. Saint Louis
Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

As I said with McBroom, guard play will be key for Saint Louis, and Mike McCall Jr. will be a big part of that. The Billiken guards take pressure of the big men, as they rebound the ball very well. McCall averages 3.8 boards a game. He is also putting up 9.9 points and 2.0 assists per game. He shoots the ball well from three, hitting just under 34 percent.

2. Dwayne Evans

Dwayne Evans Saint Louis
Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

2. Dwayne Evans

Dwayne Evans Saint Louis
Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

Dwayne Evans is a monster down low for Saint Louis, despite being just 6-foot-6. He leads the team in scoring, at 14 points per game, and in rebounding, at 6.4 boards per game. Evans is an efficient scorer, hitting nearly 50 percent of his shots. For the Billikens to have success in the NCAA tournament, Evans will need to provide a strong inside presence.

1. Jordair Jett

Jordair Jett Saint Louis
Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jordair Jett

Jordair Jett Saint Louis
Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Jordair Jett is the man who makes this Saint Louis team run. He leads the team in assists and steals, with 4.8 and 1.5 per game respectively. Jett also is second in scoring, averaging 13.7 points per game, and averages four rebounds per game. If Jett can play well and handle the pressure other teams throw at him, Saint Louis has a shot at making a run in the tournament.

Share On FacebookShare StumbleUpon

You May Also Like