👓 Robbie Avila Makes March Madness Debut: What to Know About Cream Abdul-Jabbar

In one of the final games on the opening day of March Madness 2026, No. 9 Saint Louis plays No. 8 Georgia at 9:45 p.m. ET at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. The Billikens' star will have all asking, "Who is Robbie Avila?", or at least those who aren't already fans of "Cream Abdul-Jabbar". (I can't imagine being someone like that).

The nicknames don't end there for the 6-foot-10 senior center. "College Jokic", "Larry Nerd", "Steph Blurry", and "Milk Chamberlain" have been affectionately used to describe the bespectacled big man.

👓 Who is Robbie Avila?

Originally from Oak Forest, Ill., Avila is making his March Madness debut this year. The 6-foot-10 senior center is in his second year at Saint Louis after beginning his college career at Indiana State. He's likely the only best-known player on any mid-major March Madness roster.

The "Cream Adbul-Jabbar" nickname - the best in all of sports - was originally coined by a Kentucky radio host and used fondly across social media after appearances in the MVC Tournament and NIT with both Indiana State and Saint Louis.

Avila has averaged 14.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game across 135 career college games (130 starts), while shooting 38.% from 3-point range.

📊 Robbie Avila's 2025-26 stats

Here are Avila's college basketball stats from the 2025-26 season - his senior year:

Avila had a career-best year from 3-point range during his senior campaign. He shot 62-for-149 from distance (41.6%). The center is also well-respected for his play-making skills and leadership, that help Saint Louis go 28-5 and finish first in the A10 this year.

💰 Saint Louis vs. Georgia: First Round preview & betting angle

Our Shane Thurston covered Avila in full with his Saint Louis vs. Georgia prediction for Thursday night's affair in Buffalo. Shane has the Over on Avila's assists prop, with the betting line set at 3.5 and -130 odds via bet365. It's one of our best March Madness prop bets for Thursday evening.

Here is Shane's analysis:

"There is no way I wasn't betting on Robbie Avila in Round 1, but I actually like this angle a lot, given the potential game script on Thursday.

Georgia will deploy a full-court pressure defense, while mixing in some zone looks. That means Avila, a 6-foot-10 center, should be an option for an outlet pass or in the middle of the zone.

When the ball is in Avila's hands, he's one of the better passing big men in college hoops. He's cleared this assist line in 20 of his 33 games, averaging 4.1 dimes this season."

📖 The storyline: Why Avila deserves his NCAA Tournament moment

Robbie Avila's path to March Madness has been anything but straight. In 2024, at the peak of Cream Abdul-Jabbar mania, Indiana State went 32-7 - their best season since Larry Bird led the program to the national championship game in 1979 - only to be controversially passed over by the NCAA Tournament selection committee. The Sycamores were snubbed in favor of teams like Virginia and Boise State, despite a top-five strength of schedule and one of the most electric players in the country. Indiana State accepted an NIT bid and made a valiant run to the title game, only to fall 79-77 to Seton Hall in overtime - a gut-punch ending to a season that deserved so much more.

Then came the rebuild. When coach Josh Schertz left for Saint Louis, Avila followed - turning down interest from every Power 5 conference to reunite with the coach who had helped build him into a star. His first season with the Billikens brought more near-misses - Saint Louis lost to Loyola Chicago in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, ending their NCAA Tournament hopes at 19-14.

But this time, Avila refused to let the door close without him. "We just barely missed the tournament my sophomore year, so the one thing I haven't done yet is go dancing," Avila said ahead of the 2025-26 season. "I'm looking forward to this year. Obviously, I want to end it right". He delivered on every word - earning A-10 Player of the Year honors, leading Saint Louis to a 28-5 record, and finally, after years of waiting, earning his spot in the field of 68.

The dance card is punched. One Shining Moment awaits.

🏀 How far can Saint Louis go?

Saint Louis is definitely a long shot by the 2026 March Madness odds, coming in at +80000 via DraftKings. It has +20000 Final Four odds via BetMGM.

The Billikens are the 2.5-point underdog against Georgia. They were picked by five of our 11 experts in our March Madness bracket predictions, including our AI predictions.

Avila should certainly have Saint Louis considered in your March Madness upset predictions this year.

❓ Frequently asked questions: Robbie Avila

Who is Cream Abdul-Jabbar?

Cream Abdul-Jabbar is a nickname for Saint Louis senior center Robbie Avila, given by a Kentucky radio host due to his goggle-wearing appearance and dominant post game reminiscent of NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

What team does Robbie Avila play for in 2026?

Avila plays for the Saint Louis Billikens, who are a No. 9 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament Midwest Region.

What are Robbie Avila's stats in 2025-26?

Avila averaged 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 50.6% from the field and 42.3% from three-point range, earning A-10 Player of the Year honors.

Who does Saint Louis play in the first round?

Saint Louis faces No. 8 seed Georgia on Thursday, March 19 at 8:45 p.m. CT in Buffalo, N.Y.

Did Robbie Avila play in the NCAA Tournament before 2026?

No. Avila's first NCAA Tournament appearance comes as a senior in 2026. During his time at Indiana State, the Sycamores went 32-7 but were controversially left out of the 2024 NCAA Tournament field.