Robbie Avila finished his college basketball career on Saturday with Saint Louis’ 95-72 loss to top-seeded Michigan in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
With that defeat, one of the most intriguing figures in recent NCAA tournament history leaves a place in March Madness lore. Avila and his goggles that resembled chunky-framed glasses became a curiosity for fans and media. But the 6-foot-10 center wasn’t just a quirky spectacle; he was also a legitimately productive player on the court.
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In his final season with the Billikens, Avila led the team in scoring with 12.9 points per game. He also averaged 4.6 rebounds and showed court vision (glasses aside) with 4.1 assists per contest.
“It’s obviously a heartbreaker to have a great season like this, a special season,” Avila said to KSDK’s Corey Miller after the game. “The most wins in school history, we broke a couple records in these individual games. To go through it with the group of guys we got, it’s been a blessing.”
But Avila’s bespectacled look led to several memorable nicknames from fans during his four college seasons. Among the best of them were “Cream Abdul-Jabbar” and “Larry Blurred” — or “Larry Nerd,” playing at Indiana State like Larry Bird before him.
Avila’s passing talent from the center position also led to him being called “The College Jokić” after Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP. The monikers “Milk Chamberlain” and “Steph Blurry” have also been attached to him. Yet Avila’s favorite is “Rob Wave,” a nod to his favorite rapper, Rod Wave.
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Facing the Wolverines’ hulking center Aday Mara, Avila scored only nine points with one rebound in his college finale. However, he also dished out five assists, demonstrating the playmaking ability that’s been a big part of his game.
Following the game, Avila attempted to process that his college career had reached its end. Playing his first two seasons at Indiana State, he followed head coach Josh Schertz to Saint Louis and made it to the NCAA tournament by going 29-5 and winning the Atlantic 10 in his final season.
“Everybody knows our relationship,” Avila said. “It’s about as close as anybody could be. That’s my guy for life. He trusted me out of high school. All the stuff that we went through — the downs, the ups, the in-betweens — it’s stuff that I’ll never forget. To not have him by my side next season is going to be tough.”
Whether or not Avila’s basketball career continues beyond college, perhaps in the NBA or overseas, is yet to be determined. But he, his goggles and the nicknames they inspired will be a part of March Madness lore for years and decades to come. He’s had his shining moment.
