CNNSI.com - 2000-01 Men's NCAA Basketball Preview - CNNSI.com's Saint Louis preview

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Saint Louis Billikens

Without Love, Saint Louis may struggle

Last season

19-14, 7-9 C-USA (NCAA first round, lost to Utah)

Coach

Lorenzo Romar (second season, 19-14, 61-58 overall)

Projected starting lineup

G Marque Perry, 6-1, So.
His strong freshman season was derailed by a dislocated ankle, but he appears quick and healthy again.

G Josh Fisher, 6-2, So.
Originally signed with Pepperdine but changed his mind, joined the Billikens and sat out last year.

C Chris Henirch, 6-11, Sr. Had 28 blocks, 30 steals, 5.8 points and 4.5 rebounds as a much-improved junior.

F Justin Tatum, 6-7, Sr.
Averaged 8.3 points and 6.0 rebounds, and is the prime candidate to fill the scoring void left by the departed Justin Love.

F Maurice Jeffers, 6-4, Sr.
The team's best defensive player will be asked to increase his 6.6 scoring average. Top guy off the bench

F Matt Baniak, 6-9, Sr.
Outstanding as a freshman but considerably less than that since; must improve on 5.5 scoring and 3.6 rebounding marks.

Key games

vs. Texas A&M (Dec. 27). Important because it's the first round of the Rainbow Classic.
Louisville (Jan. 6). Opening C-USA season against a tough division rival.
at Marquette (Feb. 10). If this game means nothing, season's pretty much over.

Outlook

The defending tournament champions are picked last in the division only because the division is loaded. This is a solid, experienced club that will bite anyone not paying attention. The Billikens weren't exactly a high-scoring team even with Love. Without him, and until the new players develop, offense could be a problem. But Romar's crew will still pose problems defensively for anyone, and has the size inside with Baniak and Heinrich to bang the boards with most anyone. A return to the NCAAs is likely out of the question, but the NIT is certainly a possibility.

--Stan Olson