Atlantic 10 Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2024-25 season

2. Saint Louis Billikens

2023-24 season record: 13-20 (5-13)

There’s not going to be a bigger Atlantic 10 Basketball storyline to watch than how much Saint Louis improves in the first year of the Josh Schertz era after replacing Travis Ford. It’s a near-complete rebuild, with most of the key pieces gone, including Terrence Hargrove, Bradley Ezewiro, and Sincere Parker.

Who is back is Gibson Jimeron, who led the Billikens with 15.8 ppg on 36% shooting from deep as the leading scorer. Also back is starting guard Larry Hughes and key rotation guard, Kellan Thames. The rest are all newcomers, including six transfers in easily the best A-10 class this offseason.

Coach Schertz brought with him two of the top players from a 32-win Indiana State squad. That includes star center Robbie Avila (17.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, and 4.1 apg), one of the best passing big men in the country. The sophomore big man shot 54% from the field and 39% from deep and will be a preseason contender for A-10 POY. Isaiah Swope (15.9 ppg) was second on the Sycamores in scoring, making 36% of his shots at nearly eight a game. He and Jimerson on the court together will be a nightmare for opponents.

Power conference transfers Kobe Johnson (WVU) and former Miami forward AJ Casey will have larger roles as well and if either breaks out, the Billikens could be the team to beat. But for now, there are still questions as to how successful the former Missouri Valley stars will be in the A-10, something the No. 1 team learned the hard way before.