NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 power rankings for 2022-23 season

19. Saint Louis Billikens

In the debate of who is the best non-Gonzaga mid-major team in NCAA Basketball, my pick is the Saint Louis Billikens. And it’s based on one of the best backcourt trios in the country, now that Javonte Perkins has returned. The 6’6 wing missed all of last season with an injury but averaged 17.1 in the year prior when healthy. He’s already been cleared to play and looked good in the preseason exhibition so expect Perkins to be ready to go.

He’ll rejoin starting point guard Yuri Collins, who led the country in assists last season at 7.9 apg. That included a career-high 19 against Boston College and at least five assists in 29 of 34 games. A lot of those passes went to Gibson Jimerson, who led Saint Louis with 16.3 ppg last season while shooting 42% from three-point range. How these three fit in the new-look backcourt will be interesting but if it works, there will be a ton of offense from them.

There’s plenty of backcourt depth beyond that starting trio too. Missouri transfer Javon Pickett has 84 career starts and was a double-digit scorer at the SEC level. At 6’5 and 220 pounds, Pickett could play at the four-spot now that Jordan Nesbitt has transferred out. He could also be their 6th Man, unless Junior College transfer Sincere Parker (Moberly Area) takes that role.

The frontcourt is in good shape as well, led by returning starting center Francis Okoro and joined by Temple transfer Jake Forrester. And somehow, two key versatile rotation players (Terrence Hargrove, Jr. and Fred Thatch) falls under the radar on the roster. While there may be a lack of size inside whenever Okoro is out, the offensive potency of this roster will make up for it.