It is going to be here before you know it. The college basketball season is right around the corner and Phenom Hoops wants to take their shot at previewing teams around the country for this upcoming season. All throughout the upcoming weeks, we will be previewing teams for this upcoming season, so be sure to check out all the latest talk.
Saint Louis Billikens
2020-21 Season:
Record: 14-7 (6-4 A-10)
Points per game: 75.0
Rebounds per game: 38.4
Assists per game: 17.6
Points allowed: 65.4
Top Performers 2020-21:
Points per game: Javonte Perkins (17.1)
Assists per game: Yuri Collins (6.1)
Field goal percentage: Hasahn French (53.3)
Replacing the production on the boards
Though they weren’t the leading scorer, one could say that the play of Jordan Goodwin and Hasahn French were critical last year for the Billikens. Goodwin was off the charts with his play, averaging 14.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. French wasn’t far behind averaging 9.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. As the team averaged 38 rebounds per game, Goodwin and French tallied up nearly 18 of those a game, and Saint Louis will need others to step up in a big way on the boards. Both brought big-time production on the floor.
Returning players stepping up
Though Saint Louis lost some key production, there will be ones returning that will help lead the charge. You have to start with Javonte Perkins, a senior that led the team in scoring at 17.1 points per game and could continue to see those numbers increase even more. Yuri Collins is one to keep an eye on as well, averaging 5.1 points but also being one of the top assists’ leaders at 6.1apg, he could take the next step and should continue to get everyone involved (averaged 5.5apg in 19-20 and 6.1apg in 20-21). Gibson Jimerson is another on, as he certainly helps the Billikens outside shooting struggles at times (only averaged 6.5 per game last year) and could see an increase in scoring this year as well.
What will they get out of the transfers'
Francis Okoro, a four-star prospect out of high school, will have several eyes on him after playing his first two seasons at Oregon. He earned several starts but the production will need to increase from his first two seasons. Rashad Williams comes from Oakland, where he averaged 13.6 points and led the nation in three-point attempts, again another prospect that could help in that area. We haven’t seen what former four-star prospect Jordan Nesbitt can do on the court at the college level, enrolling at Memphis early and only playing 12 minutes for the Tigers. DeAndre Jones comes from Central Arkansas and is coming off an injury-plagued season but gives Saint Louis another guard that can score from multiple levels and share the ball around.