The Saint Louis University Billikens are heading to Buffalo, N.Y., for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, set to tip off against the Georgia Bulldogs at 8:45 PM on March 17, 2026. This announcement follows a season where the Billikens finished with an impressive 28-5 record.
Fans are encouraged to attend a send-off event at the O’Loughlin Family Champions Center, with the team departing at 11:15 AM and a fan send-off scheduled for 11:00 AM. The excitement surrounding the Billikens has been palpable, especially given their perfect 19-0 record at Chaifetz Arena this year.
Despite their strong season, the Billikens faced a setback when they were eliminated from the A-10 tournament in a dramatic finish against Dayton. This loss, however, did not overshadow their overall performance, as they secured a No. 9 seed in the NCAA tournament.
The Billikens have been known for their high-scoring games, averaging 87.2 points per game, while their opponent, Georgia, boasts an even higher average of 89.8 points per game. Key player Robbie Avila has contributed significantly to the team’s success, averaging 12.9 points per game.
Saint Louis University, founded in 1818, has a rich history in collegiate sports, with the Billiken serving as a symbol of the university since the early 1900s. The Billiken, a mythical creature, represents ideals of how things ought to be, aligning with the university’s Jesuit values.
Katie Mascari, a representative from the university, expressed pride in the Billiken’s representation of these values, stating, “At SLU, we take our Jesuit values very seriously. We send our students out into the world to make it a better place, to make it as it ought to be, so it’s really special to have the Billiken reflect those values in a really unique way.”
As the Billikens prepare for their upcoming game, the anticipation among fans and the university community continues to grow. The team’s journey in the NCAA tournament will be closely followed, as they aim to make a significant impact.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any additional preparations or strategies the team may employ as they head into this critical matchup.
