All eyes were on Buffalo, New York, as the first round of the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament tipped off with a matchup that had fans and broadcasters buzzing: the Saint Louis Billikens, led by the begoggled sensation Robbie Avila, squared off against the Georgia Bulldogs. The storylines ran deep as the Billikens’ 6-foot-10 forward, who’s as famous for his goggles and creative nicknames as his all-around game, finally took center stage at March Madness after years of near-misses and viral moments.
Avila, now in his fourth collegiate season, made his NCAA tournament debut with Saint Louis after transferring from Indiana State during the 2024 offseason. His move followed coach Josh Schertz, who also made the jump after leading the Sycamores to a 32-7 record and an NIT finals appearance in 2023-24. The transfer brought immediate results: the Billikens compiled a 28-5 record on the year, earning a No. 9 seed in the Midwest Region and a primetime date with No. 8 Georgia (22-10).
Known as much for his unique style—think thick goggles and a big frame—as his versatile skill set, Avila has become a viral sensation. He’s been dubbed everything from Cream Abdul-Jabbar and Larry Nerd to College Jokic and Steph Blurry. The nicknames, which started during his Indiana State days (the same program that produced Larry Bird), have only grown in popularity. Avila’s own favorite? “Cream Abdul-Jabbar. That’s the most creative nickname I’ve ever heard. It’s hilarious, I love it,” he told TMZ. On the “Dan LeBatard Show,” he added, “My favorite music artist is Rod Wave, and so I got one earlier that was ‘Rob Wave.’ That’s always going to be my favorite, but I do like ‘Cream Abdul-Jabbar.’”
But behind the memes and monikers is a player with real game. Avila entered the tournament averaging 12.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists for Saint Louis, shooting a crisp 38.7 percent from beyond the arc. His all-around play earned him Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors, and his ability to pass, shoot, and defend has drawn comparisons to NBA star Nikola Jokic. “He’s got an all-around skill-set for a post player that translates outside the lane and below the rim,” noted one columnist. Across his career at both Indiana State and Saint Louis, Avila has averaged 14.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, including five games this season with at least 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
As the Billikens faced Georgia in Buffalo’s KeyBank Center on March 19, Avila was the clear focus of the CBS broadcast. Cameras lingered on his family in the stands and his every move on the court. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, countered with their own imposing presence: sophomore center Somto Cyril. The 6-foot-11, ambidextrous Nigerian big man had been a force for Georgia, averaging roughly 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist per game over 23 contests. Cyril’s ability to block shots with his left hand and finish around the rim with either hand made him a matchup to watch. As noted in boots-on-the-ground reporting from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “He is ambidextrous. He shoots and writes with his right hand. He uses his left hand to eat and for most of his blocked shots.”
The game itself started with fireworks. Avila’s court vision and sneaky athleticism helped Saint Louis jump out to a 49-32 halftime lead. In just 14 first-half minutes, Avila tallied 8 points on 3-of-4 shooting, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, a blocked shot, and two turnovers—setting the tone for the Billikens’ up-tempo attack. “They’re athletic like I said, so we’ve got to be more physical than them,” Avila said in a quick halftime interview as his team headed to the locker room with momentum firmly in hand.
Out of the break, Saint Louis didn’t let up. The Billikens blitzed Georgia to start the second half, stretching their lead to 80-52 by the midway point. Avila wasn’t the focal point of the scoring during this stretch—he added just four points as his teammates got hot—but he continued to contribute in other ways, picking up assists and holding down the paint defensively. By the 10-minute mark, Avila’s stat line read: 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting (including a 3-pointer), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 3 turnovers. He also earned valuable rest on the bench as the lead ballooned.
For Georgia, Cyril battled to keep his team in contention, but foul trouble and the relentless Saint Louis offense proved too much. The Bulldogs’ big man has sometimes struggled with fouls this season, and the matchup with Avila was always going to test his discipline. As one report summed up, “Avila is a significant matchup concern for Georgia,” and neutralizing his impact would be a tall order. Despite Cyril’s best efforts, the Billikens’ depth and Avila’s all-around play were too much to overcome.
When the final horn sounded, Saint Louis had cruised to a 102-77 victory—an emphatic statement in their tournament opener. Avila finished with 12 points (4-of-6 shooting), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocked shots, 1 steal, and 3 turnovers. While his second half was quieter offensively, his presence and playmaking were undeniable. “He’s hard to miss and an incredibly fun player who can help his team make a potential run during the tournament,” one preview had predicted, and on this night, Avila delivered.
The win marked a milestone for Avila, who had narrowly missed out on the NCAA tournament in previous years and led Indiana State to the NIT finals in 2024. Now, with the Billikens moving on in the Midwest Region, the man known as Cream Abdul-Jabbar finally had his March Madness moment. Fans, broadcasters, and social media alike couldn’t stop talking about the big man in goggles—an unlikely star whose unique look and versatile game have made him one of college basketball’s most captivating figures.
As Saint Louis looks ahead to the next round, one thing is certain: Robbie Avila’s story is far from over. With his blend of skill, personality, and unmistakable style, he’s given the Billikens—and March Madness—a dose of something special. Don’t blink, or you might just miss the next viral moment from college basketball’s most talked-about big man.