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Atlantic 10 Basketball: 2020-21 power rankings heading into conference play

By Benjamin Zacher

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 15: The Atlantic 10 logo on the court before the game between the George Washington Colonials and the Richmond Spiders at the Charles E. Smith Athletic Center on January 15, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 15: The Atlantic 10 logo on the court before the game between the George Washington Colonials and the Richmond Spiders at the Charles E. Smith Athletic Center on January 15, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Saint Louis Billikens Jordan Goodwin Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Saint Louis Billikens Jordan Goodwin Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Saint Louis Billikens

  • 2020-21 record: 7-1 overall, 0-0 A-10
  • Previous ranking: 2nd

If there is one team in the A-10 who deserves to be ranked in the AP Poll’s top 25, it is the Billikens – and it is absolutely mind-blowing that it has not happened yet.  The Billikens have looked the part of the best team in a deep and loaded conference, and they have the wins and stats to back it up.

Travis Ford’s squad own two really solid wins over LSU and NC State – while their five other wins have all come by 16 points or more.  Their lone loss was an eight-point loss on December 20th at nationally-ranked Minnesota, which is definitely nothing to be ashamed over.  While their strength of schedule has not been relatively strong outside of those three games – the highest ranked opponent in KenPom is Indiana State at 165th – the Billikens have been beyond impressive in their wins.

Their success begins with the trio of Javonte Perkins (17.8 ppg), Jordan Goodwin (16.9 ppg, 11.1 rpg, and 3.8 apg), and Gibson Jimmerson (11.3 ppg) – but it also trickles throughout the entirety of Saint Louis’ roster, where nine players see over 11 minutes a game with three more seeing between 9.8 and 8.3.  Among those are Preseason All-Conference Second Team selection Hasahn French (8.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg) and Yuri Collins, who leads the A-10 in assists per game with 7.3.

Saint Louis ranks as one of the most efficient teams in the country on both ends of the floor, ranking 36th offensively and 35th defensively.  They have been stellar shooting the ball, draining 41.0% of their long-range bombs (13th) and 55.0% inside (52nd), which results in a 20th-best effective FG% (56.8%).  Even better, the Billikens rank ninth in offensive rebounding percentage, getting a second chance on 38.1% of their attempts.

The Billikens are solid in defending shooters, coming in at 165th (32.9%) on 3P% and 71st (46.0%) on 2P% – but where they really shine is in turnover percentage and offensive rebounding percentage.  They force a turnover on 24.0% of opponents’ possessions, the 26th-best mark – while allowing teams an offensive rebound on just 22.9% of their attempts, good for 46th in the nation.

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Cancellations has forced the Billikens to have off since December 23rd, but Saint Louis is currently slated to return to action with two winnable games – first with La Salle on Wednesday followed by Saint Joseph’s on Saturday.  They will face their first big challenge of the new year on January 15th, hosting Davidson – before closing out the month with UMass, St. Bonaventure, Dayton, and Richmond.

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