SLU #16 in Athletic 2026 too-early top 25

[MikoTython]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/717705 ... -rankings/

(and, uh, Illinois at #1)

16. Saint Louis
Starters: Trey Green, Quentin Jones, Kellen Thames, Amari McCottry, Portal TBD

Notable returners: Ishan Sharma, Jax Kerr

Newcomers: Jermel Thomas (No. 176, 6-2 PG)

The Billikens showed with a blowout win over Georgia in the first round of the NCAA Tournament that they can play with the high majors. They even put up as good a fight against Michigan as anyone. Obviously the big loss is Robbie Avila, but coach Josh Schertz now has an opportunity (and a budget) to find a bigger, more athletic center to help face the bigger frontlines SLU will eventually see in March. And there’s plenty of offense still around even with the loss of Avila. Trey Green and Ishan Sharma are elite shooters, and Quentin Jones and Kellen Thames are two of the best slashers in the country. Amari McCottry is also valuable as a playmaking four. He could play the Avila role if Schertz ends up with a more traditional center.

[Rosthol]

Way too early Top 25.

Good to see the Billikens in it though!

[Gymrat79]

Here we go Billssssss, Here we go

[Rosthol]

Here we go! Here we go! Here we go!

[WeeVikes]

Congrats to you guys!

[Rosthol]

How about the Boilermakers?

I saw them in one early Top 25 poll.

[WeeVikes]

How about the Boilermakers?

I saw them in one early Top 25 poll.

We’re losing a lot, but we’ll be ok. We’ll be pretty young. I don’t expect Final Four or anything like that next season, but I’d be more than satisfied with Sweet 16. That’d be a really big accomplishment for them.

[Rosthol]

How about the Boilermakers?

I saw them in one early Top 25 poll.

We’re losing a lot, but we’ll be ok. We’ll be pretty young. I don’t expect Final Four or anything like that next season, but I’d be more than satisfied with Sweet 16. That’d be a really big accomplishment for them.

Good luck to the Boilermakers!

[WeeVikes]

How about the Boilermakers?

I saw them in one early Top 25 poll.

We’re losing a lot, but we’ll be ok. We’ll be pretty young. I don’t expect Final Four or anything like that next season, but I’d be more than satisfied with Sweet 16. That’d be a really big accomplishment for them.

Good luck to the Boilermakers!

Thank you!

And, as always, to the Bils!

[Rosthol]

How about the Boilermakers?

I saw them in one early Top 25 poll.

We’re losing a lot, but we’ll be ok. We’ll be pretty young. I don’t expect Final Four or anything like that next season, but I’d be more than satisfied with Sweet 16. That’d be a really big accomplishment for them.

Good luck to the Boilermakers!

Thank you!

And, as always, to the Bils!

How aboutva Bills Boilermakers NCAA matchbup?

[WeeVikes]

How about the Boilermakers?

I saw them in one early Top 25 poll.

We’re losing a lot, but we’ll be ok. We’ll be pretty young. I don’t expect Final Four or anything like that next season, but I’d be more than satisfied with Sweet 16. That’d be a really big accomplishment for them.

Good luck to the Boilermakers!

Thank you!

And, as always, to the Bils!

How aboutva Bills Boilermakers NCAA matchbup?

It would be great because I’d know both teams made it! I’d be bummed because one would have to lose. But it would be an epic game!