WASHINGTON – Rebecca Tillett produced an NCAA Tournament berth and WNIT title in her first two seasons leading Saint Louis, yet entering year five, there is a strong possibility that the 2026-27 Billikens move the ball better than any of her past squads.
The youth in different spots of the court may have boosted that movement, but the team also shares an undistinguishable connection fueled by a united motivation to pursue daily excellence.
In order to accomplish the goals Saint Louis has set for itself, Tillett emphasized her squad must remain open to feedback. So far, the Billikens have exemplified that maturity throughout the offseason.
Tillett had to show some of that tough love when addressing the defensive end of the floor, where she knows the Billikens must dominate to find success come March.
“There’s a level that you must compete on the defensive side of the ball,” Tillett said. “We do have a younger roster in some spots and you have to learn, you have to be taught that on film and actually be taught that by your opponents. They teach you if you don’t guard this cut this way, don’t help soon enough, or your hands aren’t in the right position, you’re not sprinting, all of those things matter. I think those are the early lessons – that those habits must be consistent in practice to translate when the lights turn on.”
Here is a look at the Billikens:
Coach – Rebecca Tillett - 5th season
Last year- SLU finished 12-21 and 5-13 in A10 play. The Billikens won their first two conference games but suffered a difficult stretch to end their regular season. Saint Louis clicked during the first round of the Betterment Atlantic 10 Tournament, taking down Fordham 68-60 before falling to La Salle in the second round.
They’ll miss- Zya Nugent (12.4 ppg/6.8 rpg/56 stls), Alexia Nelson (11.5 ppg/99 assts)
Impact returners- Alyssa Koerkenmeier (12.1 ppg/9.5 rpg/52.5% FG/81 blks), Jahda Denis (11.2 ppg/88.6% FT/48 stls), Mia Bergstrom (3.3 ppg)
Newcomers of note- Tyonna Bailey (17.2 ppg/7.0 rpg at Charleston Southern), D’Myjah Bolds (7.4 ppg/5.0 rpg at Western Michigan), Peyton Olufson (freshman)
Reasons to be optimistic- All optimism begins with the return of Alyssa Koerkenmeier, last season’s A10 Rookie of the Year who paced the conference with 13 double-doubles.
A two-sport athlete in high school, Koerkenmeier showed off her volleyball skillset last year to produce 81 blocks. Although she had to adapt to the world of college basketball, she fell in love with the game last year.
“I think just coming into college basketball you’re not quite sure what to expect, you don’t know what your role is yet because you haven’t played a game. But I leaned on my coaches and their confidence in my teammates and I,” Koerkenmeier said to Field of 68’s Talia Goodman. “As the season went on, I got more confident in my play. There’s more pressure, wanting to follow up with another good season, but I am excited to be back with this team and chase a championship.”
Throughout the offseason, Tillett tasked Koerkenmeier studying SLU men’s basketball star Robbie Avila as well as UConn great Stefanie Dolson to improve her passing game. Tillett believes Koerkenmeier’s number will nationally among the top centers nationally as a result.
To further emphasize Koerkenmeier’s impact, look no further than Charleston Southern transfer guard Tyonna Bailey, who specifically wanted to play with the sophomore standout to see what their connection would look like.
Bailey’s proven ability in the Big South will provide a scoring boost, which excites Tillett.
Sophomore Jahda Denis is another crucial returner. Tillett believes her connection with Koerkenmeier is special. Denis has the ability to get downhill, cut inside, find Koerkenmeier and identify the seal.
Mia Bergstrom has begun to look and play at a veteran level, showing her experience as the longest-tenured member of Saint Louis’ roster.
Highly recruited by A10 programs, Peyton Olufson will play a key role for the Billikens as a freshman. Basketball runs in the family for her, as her father Jordan is the head coach at D-III Webster University.
X Factor- When SLU has found success under Tillett, it came thanks to strength at the traditional four position. Hoping to replicate this depth, she found Western Michigan transfer D’Myjah Bolds. The 6-foot-3 forward scored 7.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Broncos last season.
Tillett believes six-foot freshman Evelyn Shane has some of former Billiken Julia Martinez in her, most particularly playing each possession as hard as she possibly can. Also returning in the post: Jada Tiggett and Jasiayah Wallace, who earned opportunities last season.
Circle the date- SLU faces an NCAA Tournament team at Chaifetz Arena on Nov. 18 when it hosts Missouri State. The Billikens wrap up their non-conference slate against San Diego State as part of the West Palm Beach Classic, an opponent which made the WBIT quarterfinals last year.
Bottom line- This SLU group returns key weapons and as a result earned respect from coaches, but it aspires to do far better than its preseason placement.
Saint Louis appears to be an energetic group, eager to put that enthusiasm on display.
“The energy coming in, they don’t have a bad day as a group,” beamed Tillett. “They come in ready to go, ready to learn. They have a silly, joyful, playful side, which matches the youth at some of our positions, but what we’re most excited about is we love sharing the ball. There is a difference between being willing to do something and eager to do something. This team is eager to share the ball and move it to the spots at a fast pace.”