Saint Louis has released its 2021-22 men’s basketball nonconference schedule, a challenging 13-game slate that features up to six opponents who finished in the top 100 of last year’s NCAA NET Rankings.
The nonconference schedule includes 10 home games (eight regular-season, two exhibition), three neutral-site games and two road matchups.
When including the Billikens’ known Atlantic 10 Conference opponents, the full 2021-22 schedule will feature up to 14 games against top-100 programs (NET) and 11 matchups against postseason teams from a season ago (four NCAA, seven NIT).
“From top to bottom, this year’s schedule might be one of the toughest we’ve had,” Billikens head coach Travis Ford said. “We’ve seen a number of these teams already listed in preseason polls or being projected to win their league. There is a great home stretch in December, including three Saturdays in a row, that our fans will enjoy.”
The Billikens get the season underway by playing three games in four days, beginning with the opener on Tuesday, Nov. 9, against Central Arkansas at Chaifetz Arena. The next night, Wednesday, Nov. 10, SLU welcomes Harris-Stowe to Chaifetz Arena. Then, Eastern Illinois comes to town for a Friday, Nov. 12, matchup at Chaifetz Arena.
Saint Louis heads to Memphis, Tenn., on Tuesday, Nov. 16, to take on the Memphis Tigers in a challenging matchup the second week of the season. Memphis won the 2021 postseason NIT and recently added the No. 1 recruit in the nation.
SLU begins the 2021 Cancun Challenge with a home game against Mercer on Saturday, Nov. 20. The Billikens head to Mexico to take on Illinois State on Tuesday, Nov. 23, then either Buffalo or Stephen F. Austin on Wednesday, Nov. 24. Buffalo, coached by former Billiken associate head coach Jim Whitesell, went to the NIT last season.
The Billikens round out a busy November with a game at Boise State on Tuesday, Nov. 30. The Broncos played in the NIT a season ago.
The month of December features four quality home games. UAB (22-7 last year) comes to Chaifetz Arena on Saturday, Dec. 4. Belmont, which finished 26-4 a season ago, is the opponent on Tuesday, Dec. 7. Boston College comes to town on Saturday, Dec. 11. The final nonconference home game pits the Billikens against Auburn at Chaifetz Arena on Saturday, Dec. 18.
Saint Louis travels to Las Vegas for the nonconference finale, where it will take on the Drake Bulldogs at South Point Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 22.
Two home exhibition games are on the Billikens’ docket as well. SLU welcomes Rockhurst to Chaifetz
The full Atlantic 10 Conference schedule will be released in September. Game times and television designations will be released at a later date as well.
SLU MEN’S BASKETBALL NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Oct. 26 – Rockhurst (exh.)
Oct. 31 – Lindenwood (exh.)
Nov. 9 – Central Arkansas
Nov. 10 – Harris-Stowe
Nov. 12 – Eastern Illinois
Nov. 16 – at Memphis
Nov. 20 – Mercer
Nov. 23 – vs. Illinois-State (Riviera Maya, Mexico)
Nov. 24 – vs. Buffalo/SFA (Riviera Maya, Mexico)
Nov. 30 – at Boise State
Dec. 4 – UAB
Dec. 7 – Belmont
Dec. 11 – Boston College
Dec. 18 – Auburn
Dec. 22 – Drake (Las Vegas, Nev.)
