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[Fudd]

This was written before the Mitchell and Reed suspensions. Things have changed dramatically.

http://www.thehoopsreport.com/images...gon_v_Utah.jpg

Rick Majerus led Saint Louis to 23 wins last season with no seniors.

http://www.thehoopsreport.com/article.aspx?id=549

Saint Louis Billikens
Last Season: 23-13 (11-5)
Key Losses: None
Head Coach: Rick Majerus

Projected Starting Lineup
PG: Kyle Cassity 6-3 Jr.
SG: Kwamain Mitchell 5-10 Jr.
SF: Christian Salecich 6-3 So.
PF: Willie Reed 6-9 Jr.
C: Cody Ellis 6-8 So.
Key Reserves: Brian Conklin 6-6 Jr. PF, Femi John 6-2 So. SG, Cory Remekun 6-7 So. SF

Normally, a team with no seniors on its roster that is one of the youngest teams in the country would struggle. But that wasn't the case for Saint Louis. On a roster with nine freshmen, four sophomores and one junior (that's right - only one player on the entire roster was older than a sophomore), the Billikens went 11-5 in a tough Atlantic 10 conference and nearly made the NCAA tournament. They won six games in a row in early February to get themselves into the at-large bid conversation. But close losses late in the season to both Xavier and Temple severely hurt the Billikens' chances. Then, their youth really showed when they lost by 16 to Rhode Island in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 tournament.

But the good news is that the Billikens, led by Rick Majerus, gained a year of experience and earned 23 victories

	Xavier XAVIER MUSKETEERS Dayton's biggest rival dating back to the early 1900s. Founded in 1831, Xavier University is a Jesuit, Catholic university in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its three colleges offer 78 undergraduate majors, 43 minors and 11 graduate programs to 6,646 total students, including 3,961 undergraduates. The University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation and one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities nationwide. Xavier's nickname is the Musketeers and are fellow A10 Conference members.

	Temple TEMPLE UNIVERSITY Founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple College became Temple University in 1907. Located in Philadelphia, Temple is a comprehensive public research university with 34,000 students, 8 campuses, and 300 academic degree programs. Notable alumni include Bill Cosby and Daryl Hall. Temple's nickname is the Owls and are fellow A10 Conference members.

	Rhode Island RHODE ISLAND The University of Rhode Island was chartered as the state's agricultural school in 1888. The school became the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1892. Located in southern Rhode Island, URI is a quintessential New England campus - rural in feeling yet close to the city of Providence, the state's capital. Linked to the city, the beaches, and nearly every corner of the state by both rail and public transit, the campus is easily accessible from Boston and New York URI currently offers 100 majors in seven degree-granting colleges. There are more than 12,000 students on the Kingston campus, about 3,000 in Providence, and a complement of about 700 faculty. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams.

	Saint Louis SAINT LOUIS Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 12,700 students. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Located in St. Louis, MO, and just five minutes from the Gateway Arch, SLU offers 85 undergraduate programs and over 50 graduate study tracks. Over 99% of the SLU faculty hold the highest degree in their respective fields. Fellow member of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Billikens, but also commonly known as "Sloo", the phonetic pronunciation of the school's initials. Athletic claims to fame include multiple national titles in men's soccer and men's basketball star Larry Hughes.