NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early top 25 power rankings for 2022-23 season

15. Saint Louis Billikens

2021-22 season record: 23-12 (12-6 in Atlantic 10)

After losing star guard Javonte Perkins just before the season, Saint Louis still managed to finish in the top-tier of the Atlantic 10, thanks to multiple players stepping up. That included sophomore guard Gibson Jimmerson breaking out to lead the team with 16.3 ppg, while point guard Yuri Collins produced 11.1 ppg and 7.9 apg, which was first not only in the conference but in the entire country.

Collins and Jimmerson alone would be a great backcourt but the announcement that Perkins is also coming back gives the Billikens one of the best guard trios in the country for next season. Before he got injured, the 6’6 senior was coming off a year where he averaged 17.1 ppg on 47% from the field and 37% from three-point range. He also gives the team someone that can create their own shot and not rely on Collins to set him up, boosting the overall offensive firepower.

Even if Jordan Nesbitt doesn’t come back from the NBA Draft process, Saint Louis still has Terrence Hargrove, Jr., Fred Thatch Jr., and starting center Francis Okoro. And JUCO transfer Sincere Parker (Moberly) figures to provide instant impact production off the bench.

This is a team that could use another power forward just to solidify the frontcourt but returning one of the best point guards in the country and surrounding him with two 15+ ppg scorers on the perimeter is going to make Saint Louis very difficult to stop next season.