Memphis vs Saint Louis: 2021-22 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

What was once considered a must-watch matchup between Memphis and Saint Louis, a darkhorse top 25 matchup, is now a little more one-sided.

Time: Tuesday, November 16th at 7 pm CT
Location: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
Streaming: ESPN+

The AP #11 Memphis Tigers have rolled through their first two opponents in Tennessee Tech and NC Central. One of the highest regarded teams analytically, being the number four team in the nation per KenPom’s defensive efficiency, their group of star freshman, transfers, and reserves have looked the part of a team with eyes on a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

The Saint Louis Billikens have similarly rolled through their first three games, two wins by an average of 38.5 over Central Arkansas and Eastern Illinois, and a record-setting win over NAIA neighbor school Harris Stowe.

However, the Billikens lost their leading scorer and preseason first-team All-Atlantic 10 member Javonte Perkins for the season after suffering a torn ACL in a preseason exhibition matchup with Rockhurst. The record-setting scorer for the Billikens had returned for a 5th college basketball season after being a JUCO transfer.

So, the top was taken off the Billikens and a little wind removed from their sales. But they’ve looked more vigorous than expected. Pass first point guard Yuri Collins has introduced a scoring threat to his game only hinted as in his two previous seasons, redshirt freshman guard Gibson Jimerson has proved to be more than just a three-point shooting option, and an ensemble of centers including Oregon transfer Francis Okoro and Marten Linssen has proven to be bonafide defensive threats which take pride in doing the little things really well. More than anything, the freshman transfer from Memphis and St. Louis native Jordan Nesbitt has been a critical defensive addition and shows highlights of elite offensive potential.

In Memphis, the highly celebrated recruiting class that Penny Hardaway has put together has been the force of nature they were promised to be. The combination of size, skill, and athleticism has been a murders row of defensive efficiency and high octane offensive output. The raw talent that freshman stars Emoni Bates and Jalen Duran have flashed is impossible to ignore.

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1458278725225680899?s=20

Before the Perkins loss, this game may have been more highlighted as a potential upset or a more highly regarded showdown nationally. But now the Billikens will be considered double-digit underdogs and will be seen as just another game.

That being said, SLU may have the tools for making this game enjoyable. An extremely athletic group, the Billikens, may have the athletes to keep up with the Tigers. They also excel at forcing turnovers and creating offense output off those turnovers, a feature of Memphis’ game that is one of their more glaring issues. Add in a young Memphis team that has yet to be truly tested in any profound way. Suddenly, you can start to see some opportunities for the Billikens.

If the Billikens can create more possessions and opportunities for themselves and capitalize on them at the rate they have early into the 2021-22 campaign… we may be looking at an exhilarating game down on Beale Street. Otherwise, the raw talent and depth of this imposing Memphis Tigers team may just be a little too much to handle.