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Saint Louis Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Billikens

By Brian Rauf

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 20: Saint Louis Billikens mascot cheers against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the second round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 20, 2014 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 20: Saint Louis Billikens mascot cheers against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the second round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 20, 2014 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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GAINESVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 04: Terance Mann #14 and Ike Obiagu #12 of the Florida State Seminoles celebrate a score and foul during a NCAA basketball game against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O’ Connell Center on December 4, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 04: Terance Mann #14 and Ike Obiagu #12 of the Florida State Seminoles celebrate a score and foul during a NCAA basketball game against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O’ Connell Center on December 4, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

Non-conference schedule

Nov. 6: SE Missouri State
Nov. 10: Troy
Nov. 13: North Alabama
Nov. 17: at Seton Hall
Nov. 21: vs. Pitt (in Brooklyn, NY)
Nov. 25: Central Arkansas
Dec. 1: Butler
Dec. 5: at Southern Illinois
Dec. 9: Oregon State
Dec. 16: at Houston
Dec. 19: NC Central
Dec. 22: vs. Florida State (in Sunrise, FL)
Dec. 30: Appalachian State

This non-conference schedule leaves a little something to be desired. The lack of opportunities for resume-boosting wins could hurt them when it comes time for NCAA Tournament seeding, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t noteworthy games on tap for the Billikens.

A road game against Seton Hall and a home contest against Butler will tell us a lot about this team early in the season. Both the Pirates and Bulldogs have to replace several key contributors from a year ago and are going to have to fight to make the Big Dance. Not only will both serve as “measuring-stick” games for Saint Louis, but those outcomes may loom large in March if they find themselves fighting for an at-large bid.

However, their two biggest tests will come right before Christmas against Houston and Florida State. While the Cougars will have to find a way to replace do-everything star Rob Gray, they return most of last season’s core and are one of the favorites in the American. Winning on the road is often said to be the toughest thing to do in college basketball and this will be the most difficult road game of their non-conference schedule.

The Seminoles are the only team on this schedule that figures to be ranked in the preseason polls. FSU returns most of their rotation from last year’s Elite Eight team and, while this game will be played on a neutral court, is essentially a home game for the Noles. This one will go a long way in telling us if the Billikens can compete with some of the better teams in the nation.

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