NCAA Basketball: Preseason top-25 mid-major power rankings for 2021-22 season
16. Saint Louis Billikens
The Billikens lost two key players this offseason in big man Hasahn French, along with star guard Jordan Goodwin, a multi-time all-league defender who despite 6’3, averaged a double-double in each of the past two years. That’s a lot of production to replace but this program got great news with the return of leading scorer Javonte Perkins.
The former A-10 6th Man of the Year became the starter and go-to option for Saint Louis averaged 17.1 ppg on shooting splits of 47-38-87. Perkins was incredibly efficient as well, going for double figures in all but one game last season and going for a career-high 32 points in a win over LSU, the highlight of the program’s campaign.
Returning with Perkins on the roster includes forwards Marten Linssen and Terrence Hargrove, along with starting guard Yuri Collins (6.1 apg), Fred Thatch, and Gibson Jimerson. Saint Louis added some firepower this offseason via the transfer portal in the backcourt as well. Central Arkansas transfer Deandre Jones was a double-digit scorer in each of the past three years, while 6’2 guard Rashad Williams averaged 13.6 ppg in three years at both Cleveland State and Oakland.
What makes the Billikens ceiling potentially high are two other newcomers to the rotation. Oregon transfer Francis Okoro redshirted last season but will be the hopeful replacement for French inside. The 6’9 center is a former top-50 prospect and will be needed to take on the bevy of talented bigs in the A-10. And there’s also Jordan Nesbitt, a 6’6 wing and former top-60 recruit that didn’t play much at Memphis due to the crowded depth chart but could be a star for Saint Louis, although he may have to wait until Perkins graduate to really see extended minutes.
With teams like St. Bonaventure and Richmond returning everyone and both VCU and Dayton having big incoming recruiting classes, the Billikens have somewhat flown under the radar this offseason. Yet they may have not only have the best player out of all the projected top-tier teams in the Atlantic 10 (Perkins) but potentially the highest overall ceiling as well from a pure roster perspective.