NFL Round Table Show
Saint Louis will try to extend its perfect start to the season when it faces Maryland in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Billikens have rattled off three straight wins, including a 90-84 win over Memphis on Tuesday. Maryland has won its first three games as well, although its schedule has not been as challenging.
Saint Louis does not get a ton of opportunities to face quality opponents due to its conference, so it will be looking to take advantage of this chance. It has 23 wins in three of the past four seasons, but it only has one NCAA Tournament appearance to show for it. The Billikens have put together a solid start to the season, which began with a blowout win over Murray State, covering the 13-point spread. They followed that up with an 18-point win over Evansville before beating Memphis as a 3-point favorite earlier this week. Yuri Collins led the way with 22 points and nine assists in the win over the Tigers, while Gibson Jimerson knocked down four 3-pointers.
Incredible College Basketball at Chaifetz Arena!
Saint Louis vs. Memphis Recap ??#TeamBlue #WinTheDay pic.twitter.com/kOxMLrHS8d
— Saint Louis Men's Basketball (@SaintLouisMBB) November 1 6, 2022
The Billikens have a ton of returning experience this season, as four of its starters are back from last year. They also added transfer Javon Pickett, who was a four-year starter at Missouri. KenPom has the Billikens ranked ninth nationally in experience, which has led to a low turnover rate thus far. Collins leads the country with 12 assists per game—head coach Travis Ford called him “the best point guard in America.” He is going to be tested by a Maryland defense that ranks eighth in field goal percentage and has forced turnovers on 22.2% of possessions. The Terrapins have struggled on the defensive glass, but they will have a big advantage in height on Saturday.