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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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KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 9: Head coach Travis Ford of the Oklahoma State Cowboys gestures as he watches team during a game Kansas State Wildcats in the second half of the first round of the Big 12 Basketball Tournament at Sprint Center on March 9, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 9: Head coach Travis Ford of the Oklahoma State Cowboys gestures as he watches team during a game Kansas State Wildcats in the second half of the first round of the Big 12 Basketball Tournament at Sprint Center on March 9, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

Season outlook

All of the pieces appear to be in place for Saint Louis to have a breakout season that resonates nationally.

Quality guard play? Check.
Size? Check.
Depth? Check
Elite defense? Check.

The only questions surrounding the Billikens involve their offense and their coach. Saint Louis ranked just 225th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency and a lowly 322nd in effective field goal percentage last year – numbers that kept them from being anything more than a .500 team. They should be better on that end thanks to some of their offseason additions, but will those players be able to make enough of a difference?

Then there’s Travis Ford. He’s proven he knows how to assemble a talented roster – he’s done it at every stop. But his teams haven’t always been able to live up to their potential, especially his best teams at Oklahoma State.

Next. Preseason A-10 Rankings for 2018-19. dark

I think this year will be a different story, however. Saint Louis has the kind of talent and size that will allow them to compete with anyone in the country. I think they’ll win the A-10, will find themselves ranked on several occasions during the season, and will win at least one game in the NCAA Tournament. They’re a mid-major team worth paying attention to.

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