Billikens host Mississippi Valley State

The Billikens will host Mississippi Valley State tonight in the second game of the Chicago Invitational Challenge at the Chaifetz Arena. Tip off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Mississippi Valley State is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). It's most notable alum is Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. The Delta Devils are led by second-year head coach Sean Woods, who was one of Rick Pitino's "Unforgettables" at Kentucky during his collegiate career.
Woods is trying to rebuild the program with nine new players in the fold this season. The Delta Devils are currently 1-3 with their losses coming on the road to Gonzaga, Washington State and Iowa State, so they have seen some good competition. The newcomers have been thrown into the fire early.
The Delta Devils like to run, press and shoot the 3-pointer. They are forcing nearly 20 turnovers a game, so the Bills have to be on their P's and Q's a little bit more tonight against pressure defense.
MVSU is led by 6'2" junior Julius Cheeks, who averages 11 points a game. He is followed by 6'1" junior D'Angelo Jackson (9.8 points), 6'4" sophomore Tashan Newsome (8.5 points) and 6'3" junior Michael Mayo (8.3 points).
SLU (3-0) will be looking for its first 4-0 start of the season since the 1997-98 season when the great Larry Hughes roamed the perimeter for the Billikens.
One of big reasons for the Billikens' early sucess has been a balanced scoring attack. After three games, five players are averaging in double figures. That's right, five.
Kwamain Mitchell leads the way at 13.3 points per game, while leading the team in assists. Brian Conklin, Kyle Cassity, Willie Reed and Christian Salecich are all averaging 10 points a game.
The 6'9" Reed is also averaging a team-high 11 rebounds and three blocks a game to go along with his 10 points. He had 12 rebounds and five blocks in SLU's victory over Kennesaw State on Sunday.
The Billikens are shooting 48 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range, thanks mainly to Justin Jordan's five for eight shooting and Kwamain Mitchell's three for six. Cassity and Salecich are both six for 16 for 37.5 percent from long distance.
I'm looking for better execution against the press, should we see a lot of it tonight. That would lead to great scoring opportunities on the back end. As this young team continues to evolve, you look for more consistency over the course of the game.
So far this season, we've seen the guys come out of the gates with a rush, only to hit a lull in the later stages of the first half. The second half usually is a repeat of the first half. As the season progresses and the competition stiffens, we have to find a happy medium in terms of consistency and execution.
I'm enjoying how hard we play and how we like to compete. That has to remain a staple, especially after tonight because the next four game stretch includes Iowa State, either Notre Dame or Northwestern, Georgia and Southern Illinois. And the only game at home is the SIU game.
We'll see you tonight at the Chaifetz. If you can't make it, listen to me and SLU Hall of Fame play-by-play man Bob Ramsey on the call on 101-ESPN.
Go Bills.