Saint Louis University redshirt sophomore Guard Brady Dunlap ’22 is off to a great start. The Saint Louis Billikens are off to a 25-3 start this season, 13-2 in A-10 conference play and sit at 23rd in the AP top 25 poll. Dunlap’s team has scored 90.8 points per game, which is fourth in the nation, while holding opponents to just 67.3 points per game. The team’s identity comes from the perimeter both offensively and defensively, shooting 41% from three while their opponents have shot just 27%. The Billikens started 24-1 with their only loss against Stanford University on a last-second buzzer beater, until they dropped two of their last three games to Rhode Island and Dayton in A-10 play.
Saint Louis is still considered a team that should be in the NCAA tournament, even if they are unable to earn an automatic bid in the A-10 tournament, according to ESPN, which is very rare for a school from a mid-major conference like the A-10.
Dunlap was able to redshirt his Sophomore year at Saint John’s due to injury after playing just 10 games. Coming off of injury as a redshirt Sophomore, he decided to transfer to Saint Louis, where he could take on a crucial role for a mid-major team. Dunlap has fulfilled his role, averaging eight points and 2.5 rebounds in under 18 minutes per game, while shooting over 46% from three on the year, helping to enable such a surprising and successful season for the team.
A 6’7 200 lb forward, Dunlap has found his stride as the first man off the bench with 17 minutes a game, bringing a mix of defense and sharpshooting to the team. His best game of the year came on Feb. 3rd against Davidson, with 22 points and five rebounds, shooting a perfect 6-6 from beyond the arc, leading the Billikens to a 91-82 win.
The Billikens have three games left on their A-10 schedule before beginning their postseason journey. Though many hold their subpar strength of schedule against them, the Billikens are projected to be an eight seed in March, though they have since dropped a game to Dayton. Still, if the Billikens win out they will be the highest ranked mid-major team in the tournament this March. For Dunlap, a return to March would mark a major milestone after his injury and transfer, further establishing his role in one of the nation’s most efficient offenses.
