Saint Louis second-year head coach Travis Ford announced the Billikens’ nonconference schedule today, a 13-game regular-season slate that includes nine games at Chaifetz Arena.
“As we continue to move our program forward, this is a challenging nonconference schedule for a team that features a large number of first-year Billiken players,” Ford said. “We have a good mix of challenging games both home and away, and we’ll be facing a number of teams who will be competing at the top of their league. This schedule is going to help us prepare for Atlantic 10 Conference play.”
Among the highlights of the nonconference schedule are the Billikens’ participation in the 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project and the start of home-and-home series with Butler, Houston and Oregon State. The slate features five potential opponents that advanced to the postseason a year ago.
Previously, the Atlantic 10 Conference announced home and away matchups for the 2017-18 conference season. The complete league schedule, as well as game times and television assignments, will be announced in September.
Saint Louis Men’s Basketball 2017-18 Nonconference Schedule
As of August 9, 2017
Saturday, Nov. 4 – TBA (exh.)
Friday, Nov. 10 – Seattle
Monday, Nov. 13 – Rockhurst
Thursday, Nov. 16 – vs. Virginia Tech (New York City / Madison Square Garden)
Friday, Nov. 17 – vs. Providence or Washington (New York City / Madison Square Garden)
Wednesday, Nov. 22 – Detroit Mercy
Tuesday, Nov. 28 – Western Michigan
Saturday, Dec. 2 – at Butler (Indianapolis, Ind. / Hinkle Fieldhouse)
Wednesday, Dec. 6 – Southern Illinois
Saturday, Dec. 9 – Houston
Tuesday, Dec. 12 – Murray State
Saturday, Dec. 16 – at Oregon State (Portland, Ore. / Moda Center)
Tuesday, Dec. 19 – Campbell
Friday, Dec. 22 – Southeast Missouri State
OPPONENT CAPSULES
Seattle (Nov. 10 at Chaifetz Arena / 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project / Jesuit Basketball Spotlight)
2016-17 Record: 13-17, 5-9 (Western Athletic Conference)
Postseason: None
Head Coach: Jim Hayford (first season at Seattle)
Regional-round game of the 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project … it will also be part of the Jesuit Basketball Spotlight, a program through the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities that helps promote higher education through basketball … the Redhawks return 11 of 15 players from last year’s squad, led by 7-3 center Aaron Menzies and guard Zack Moore … this is the first season for head coach Jim Hayford, who led Eastern Washington to three postseason appearances the previous three seasons … will be first meeting between the Billikens and Redhawks.
Rockhurst (Nov. 13 at Chaifetz Arena / Jesuit Basketball Spotlight)
2016-17 Record: 14-13, 8-10 (Great Lakes Valley Conference)
Postseason: None
Head Coach: Drew Diener (third season at Rockhurst)
Game will be part of the Jesuit Basketball Spotlight, a program through the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities that helps promote higher education through basketball … third-year head coach Drew Diener is a 2003 SLU graduate, playing from 1999-2003 for the Billikens … he is sixth on SLU’s career list with a .400 (124-310) 3-point field goal percentage … the Billikens own a 14-4 series advantage … the teams also met on the hardwood in 2014, 2013, 2010 and 2009.
Virginia Tech (Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden / 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project)
2016-17 Record: 22-11, 10-8 (Atlantic Coast Conference)
Postseason: NCAA First Round
Head Coach: Buzz Williams (fourth season at Virginia Tech)
Serves as the Billikens’ opening game in the championship rounds of the 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project at Madison Square Garden … VT has posted two straight postseason appearances – the NIT in 2015-16 and the NCAA Tournament last year … the Hokies will be led by senior guard Justin Bibbs (9.2 ppg last year) and junior Ahmed Hill (11.4 ppg last year) … Virginia Tech leads the all-time series 7-0 … the Billikens and Hokies played regularly in the late 1970s and early 1980s as members of the Metro Conference.
Providence (potential opponent Nov. 17 at Madison Square Garden / 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project)
2016-17 Record: 20-13 (10-8 BIG EAST)
Postseason: NCAA First Four
Head Coach: Ed Cooley (seventh season at Providence)
Potential opponent in the 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project at Madison Square Garden … the Friars play Washington in the semifinals … Providence has advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of the previous four seasons … the Friars’ roster will be highlighted by five seniors, including their leading returning scorer and rebounder, forward Rodney Bullock (15.7 ppg and 6.4 rpg) … Providence leads the all-time series 5-1 … the teams last met on the hardwood in 1963.
Washington (potential opponent Nov. 17 at Madison Square Garden / 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project)
2016-17 Record: 9-22 (2-16 Pac-12)
Postseason: None
Head Coach: Mike Hopkins (first season at Washington)
Potential opponent in the 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project at Madison Square Garden … the Huskies play Providence in the semifinals … Washington begins its first season under head coach Mike Hopkins, who served as an assistant coach at Syracuse the previous 22 seasons … the Huskies return three junior starters from last year’s team, including their leading returning scorer, guard David Crisp (13.8 ppg) … the Billikens lead the all-time series 8-7 … the teams last met during a home-and-home series in 2011 and 2012, with each team winning on its home floor.
Detroit Mercy (Nov. 22 at Chaifetz Arena / 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project / Jesuit Basketball Spotlight)
2016-17 Record: 8-23 (6-12 Horizon League)
Postseason: None
Head Coach: Bacari Alexander (second season at Detroit Mercy)
Regional-round game of the 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project … it will also be part of the Jesuit Basketball Spotlight, a program through the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities that helps promote higher education through basketball … Detroit Mercy alum Bacari Alexander enters his second season as head coach after serving six seasons as an assistant coach at Michigan … Horizon League Freshman of the Year Corey Allen is the leading returning scorer after averaging 14.4 ppg a season ago … the Billikens own a 29-15 advantage in a series that dates to the 1920s … the teams played regularly in the 1980s and early 1990s as members of the MCC … the Titans and Billikens last met during a home-and-home series in 2007 and 2008, with each team winning on its home floor.
Western Michigan (Nov. 28 at Chaifetz Arena)
2016-17 Record: 16-16 (11-7 Mid-American Conference)
Postseason: None
Head Coach: Steve Hawkins (14th season at Western Michigan)
Western Michigan, led by 14th-year head coach Steve Hawkins, is coming off a season that saw the Broncos capture the MAC West regular-season crown … Thomas Wilder, who tested the NBA waters this past summer before pulling his name from the NBA Draft, is the leading returning scorer after averaging 19.3 ppg a season ago … the Broncos won nine of their final 10 games in 2016-17 … this will be the first meeting between the Billikens and Broncos.
Butler (Dec. 2 at Hinkle Fieldhouse)
2016-17 Record: 25-9 (12-6 BIG EAST)
Postseason: NCAA Sweet 16
Head Coach: LaVall Jordan (first season at Butler)
Butler alum LaVall Jordan was named head coach at Butler on June 12 … he inherits a talented roster that finished 25-9 and advanced to the Sweet 16 a season ago … leading scorer Kelan Martin (16 ppg) returns, alongside returning starters Tyler Wideman and Kamar Baldwin … that trio joins an experience group of returners and a highly touted recruiting class … SLU owns a 19-11 series lead over the Bulldogs … the teams last met during the 2012-13 season when Butler was a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference … the Billikens won both games during the regular season, defeating the Bulldogs at Chaifetz Arena when Butler was ranked No. 9, then again at Hinkle Fieldhouse when Butler was ranked No. 15 … the Billikens also knocked off the Bulldogs in the A-10 semifinals in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Southern Illinois (Dec. 6 at Chaifetz Arena)
2016-17 Record: 17-16 (9-9 Missouri Valley Conference)
Postseason: None
Head Coach: Barry Hinson (sixth season at Southern Illinois)
The Billikens and Salukis are playing for the seventh consecutive season … Southern Illinois returns three starters from last year’s team, including leading returning scorer Armon Fletcher (11.1 ppg) … the SIU roster also features redshirt junior Marcus Bartley, who transferred to SIU after playing two seasons at Saint Louis (2014-16) … the Billikens lead the all-time series 29-26.
Houston (Dec. 9 at Chaifetz Arena)
2016-17 Record: 21-11 (12-6 American Athletic Conference)
Postseason: NIT First Round
Head Coach: Kelvin Sampson (fourth season at Houston) Five lettermen and three starters return in 2017-18 for the Cougars, who finished third in the American Athletic Conference and posted the program’s second straight 20-win season … senior guard Rob Gray led the conference with 20.6 ppg, while senior forward Devin Davis returns as the team’s leading rebounder (5.3 rpg) … Houston leads the all-time series 24-12 … the teams last met on the hardwood in 2007.
Murray State (Dec. 12 at Chaifetz Arena)
2016-17 Record: 16-17 (8-8 Ohio Valley Conference)
Postseason: None
Head Coach: Matt McMahon (second season at Murray State)
The Racers are coming off a season that saw them go 16-17 overall and 8-8 in the Ohio Valley Conference … Murray State advanced to the OVC semifinals under first-year head coach Matt McMahon, who was an assistant coach under Steve Prohm when the Racers won 104 games during a four-year stint from 2011 to 2015 … senior guard Jonathan Stark (21.9 ppg) and senior forward Terrell Miller (16.0 ppg) return as the Racers’ leading scorers … the Billikens lead the all-time series 7-0 … it will be the first meeting between the teams since the 1998-99 season.
Oregon State (Dec. 16 at Moda Center)
2016-17 Record: 5-27 (1-17 Pac-12)
Postseason: None
Head Coach: Wayne Tinkle (fourth season at Oregon State)
The game will take place in Portland, Oregon, at the Moda Center, home of the Portland Trail Blazers … the Beavers, who advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2015-16, encountered a rash of injuries last year en route to a 5-27 record … Oregon State used its anticipated starting lineup in only one game and ended up being one of the youngest teams in the country … Steve Thompson Jr. is OSU’s leading returning scorer after registering 16.3 ppg a season ago, while center Drew Eubanks, who earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention, averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg a season ago … the Billikens lead the all-time series 2-0, but the teams have not played since 1966.
Campbell (Dec. 19 at Chaifetz Arena)
2016-17 Record: 19-18 (7-11 Big South Conference)
Postseason: CIT quarterfinals
Head Coach: Kevin McGeehan (fifth season at Campbell)
The Camels finished 19-18 overall last season and made their first postseason appearance since 1992 … Campbell advanced to the Big South Conference title game, then won twice in the CollegeInsider.com postseason tournament en route to the quarterfinals … seven of Campbell’s top eight scorers from last season return, including junior Chris Clemons … last season, Clemons finished as the nation’s second-leading scorer with 25.1 ppg … this is the first meeting on the hardwood between the Billikens and Camels.
Southeast Missouri State (Dec. 22 at Chaifetz Arena)
2016-17 Record: 15-18 (9-7 Ohio Valley Conference)
Postseason: None
Head Coach: Rick Ray (third season at Southeast)
SEMO finished 15-18 a season ago and nearly won the Ohio Valley Conference West Division, posting a winning record in league play for the first time since 2011-12 … third-year head coach Rick Ray, who coached at Mississippi State from 2012 to 2015, welcomes five newcomers to the Redhawks’ roster … senior guard Jaylen Benton is SEMO’s leading returning scorer after averaging 5.9 ppg a season ago.
