The Men’s Other Top 25 preseason poll has officially crowned Saint Louis as the premier mid-major contender, with the Billikens securing the top spot in the latest rankings released by Yahoo Sports. The team received two of the four total first-place votes, edging out fellow Atlantic 10 member VCU, which claimed second place with a single first-place vote. Grand Canyon also earned two first-place votes to finish third, while New Mexico and Saint Mary’s completed the top five, with Utah State rounding out the group of teams to receive first-place consideration.
Billikens lead A-10 rivals VCU and Grand Canyon in new rankings
Saint Louis’ high ranking is anchored by a potent returning core that delivered elite efficiency last season. Trey Green led the Atlantic 10 in three-point shooting at 44.2% while averaging 10.7 points per game, providing a reliable perimeter threat. Amari McCottry offers a versatile offensive package, contributing 10.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per night. Supporting them are Kellen Thames (9.7 points, 4.7 rebounds), Ishan Sharma (9.1 points on 41.7% from deep), and Quentin Jones (9.1 points), creating a balanced attack that can score from multiple positions.
Head coach Josh Schertz faces a challenging non-conference schedule, featuring matchups against Missouri, High Point, Saint Mary’s, Grand Canyon, South Florida, and DePaul. A significant variable for the Billikens remains Robbie Avila, whose eligibility status is still an x-factor despite a recent favorable court ruling. As the new college basketball season approaches, Saint Louis enters the fray as the team to beat in this tier, with their depth and shooting prowess setting a high bar for the rest of the field.
Source: Yahoo Sports
