MADRID, Spain – Saint Louis kicked off its three-game European trip with a 98-45 victory over Zentro Basket on Sunday at UCJC Sports Club in Madrid, Spain.
The Billikens remain in Madrid tomorrow, then travel on Tuesday to Florence, Italy. The Billikens will play the Italy All-Stars Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. (St. Louis time) at Palazzetto dello Sport. All available Billikens saw playing time in the game. Saint Louis kicked off its three-game European trip with a 98-45 victory over Zentro Basket on Sunday at UCJC Sports Club in Madrid, Spain. Gibson Jimerson
The Billikens lost every starter except two — midfielders John Klein and Christian Buendia— after reaching the national quarterfinals.
“On the field, we have to be the two guys everyone looks toward when it’s hard times,” Buendia said of himself and Klein. “Off the field is a big area where I can improve with leadership. “But it’s up to the core of the team to instill our culture and values in the new guys. “The transfers have natural leadership from where they have played, and the freshmen seem to be jelling,” Buendia said. There are several players who have been in the system and likely will step forward. Buendia started all 21 games last season, and Klein started the 20 in which he played. “That’s the great part of winning.
If you rub the Billiken Belly on the Saint Louis University campus, it will bring you luck or so the story goes.