It’s the first business trip of the season for the Billikens. We’re coming to you live from Interstate 55 somewhere in the Missouri boot heel. SLU is heading to Memphis, Tenn., to play a scrimmage Saturday against another NCAA Division I program.
You won’t be hearing much about it, though. NCAA rules prohibit the publicity and dissemination of official scoring from these scrimmages. Here is what the NCAA rulebook (17.3.3.1 [a]) says about the scrimmage:
An informal practice scrimmage with outside competition may occur at any point during the permissible playing and practice season, provided it is conducted in privacy and without publicity or official scoring. Individuals other than athletics department staff members and those necessary to conduct a basketball practice scrimmage against outside competition may not be present during such a scrimmage. The institution shall ensure that the scrimmage is free from public view. No class time shall be missed by basketball student-athletes in conjunction with such a scrimmage, including all associated activities.
Obviously, not an ideal scenario for fans. But coaches (including Jim Crews) love it. Generally, teams will play at segment of a game (rarely a full 40 minutes), then roll out a lot of different scenarios. For instance – Billikens leading by two. 2:15 remaining in the game. Both teams in double bonus. SLU has two timeouts, opponent none. Play. Also, teams may want to put in and try out a different defenses, or play against particular defenses.
More and more teams around the country are foregoing a second exhibition game to play a scrimmage. For SLU, it will be a good opportunity to continue to work on things in preparation for Southern Illinois. Also, it’s never a bad idea to get freshmen acclimated to what it’s like on the road before the games start to count.
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