Welcome to the #A10WBBTipoff for the 2020-21 Season. This afternoon, we feature the Saint Louis Billikens. To revisit all of the season previews throughout the week, click here.

Saint Louis

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Saint Louis shut down opponents last season.

But points? Those came tougher for the Billikens, who ranked ninth in the Atlantic 10 in scoring.

Coach Lisa Stone promises, “We’ll shoot, and we’ll score this year. We need to score more than 70 points a game — 72 would be an ideal number for me. We defend well enough and rebound well enough to hold that off.”

Of course, it helps to have Atlantic 10 first-teamer Ciaja Harbison in the stable. Stone regards the 5-6 junior among the finest players she’s coached in her 34 seasons. Eight times she scored 20 or more last season; she ranked third in the league in assists and fourth in minutes. Harbison is arguably the league’s top returner.

“She’s in the same sentence as Jackie Kemph, and that’s a powerful statement,” said Stone, referring to the two-time Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, SLU’s all-time leader in points, assists and games played. “Ciaja’s been nothing short of phenomenal for two years.”

But she’ll need backup.

Enter redshirt junior Myriama Smith Traore, the league’s leading rebounder last season, who Stone regards as “a capable double-double.” Stone’s worked to impose that scorer mentality on the Marquette transfer, who can drive, pull up or shoot the three.

Center Brooke Flowers and guard Myia Clark — a sizable pair with significant experience — will look to turn steady offense into stellar numbers. Expect more from sophomore Rachel Kent, who’s special from 3-point range. She shot at a 43 percent clip last season, best in SLU history for a freshman.

You won’t have to nudge Peyton Kennedy to shoot. At Boylan Catholic High School, the 5-11 forward amassed more than 2,000 points. The freshman isn’t shy, says Stone, who admits it will be hard not to have the Illinois native on the floor. “She can play the 3 or the 4,” Stone said. “She can shoot the 3. She's strong. She gets her hands on everything. She gets it.”

Don’t overlook 5-10 guard Julia Martinez. 

“Watch for Martinez,” Stone said, touting the sophomore’s shooting and scoring improvement. “I like our pace with her. She can get it to a playmaker like Ciaja or a shooter like Rachel. She gives us another dynamic.”

Chemistry is good, rooted in regular summertime Zoom calls, where discussion strayed from basketball to focus on issues around systemic racism and injustice — honest, candid dialogue that elevated Stone’s learning and bonded a group greeting early season practice with refreshing enthusiasm. Of course, that’s a quality Stone embraces year-round.

The veteran coach says she will be disappointed if this bunch isn’t in contention for an A-10 title. Bet on it. Saint Louis consistently finishes in the top third of the league and just like years past, is a threat every night out.

A look at the Billikens:

Coach: Lisa Stone, 644-352 in 34 seasons; 141-115 in eight seasons at Saint Louis

Last year: 19-13, 9-7 A-10 (tied for 4th). Lost 58-50 to top-seeded Dayton in semifinals of A-10 Championship. Probable WNIT contender without the COVID-19 pandemic.

They’ll miss: Kendra Wilken, 6-2 senior F (11.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, All-A-10 3rd team)

Impact returners: Ciaja Harbison, 5-6 junior G (15.4 ppg, All-A-10 first team); Brooke Flowers, 6-5 junior C (4.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.X bpg); Myriama Smith Traore, 6-2 r-junior F ( A-10-leading 8.7 rpg); Rachel Kent, 5-11 sophomore G/F (11.3 ppg, 43 percent 3FG - 19th in D-I); Myia Clark, 5-7 junior G (8.7 ppg); 

Newbies of note: Peyton Kennedy, 5-11 freshman F (over 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds at Boylan Catholic); Kiley Bess, 6-0 freshman G; Natalie McNeal, 5-8 freshman G; Nya Toang, 6-0 freshman F. Also, Marisa Warren, 5-8 sophomore G (DePaul transfer and 2019 St. Louis Post-Dispatch high school player of the year). Stone is expecting a waiver for her to be eligible this season.

Reasons to be optimistic: Wilken is the only significant loss from last season’s contributors, as Harbison, Kent and Clark started all 32 games while Smith Traore and Flowers combined for 32 starts themselves. Billikens ranked 34th in D-I in scoring defense (57.5 ppg) and 34th in blocks per game (4.7 bpg). With the added emphasis on offense and a stud like Harbison, what’s not to like?

Bottom line: If the Billikens can add consistent scoring punch (besides Harbison) to their already-stout defense, this group should make a strong push for a conference title and its first NCAA tournament bid.

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