BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Saint Louis has been picked to finish second in the Atlantic 10 Conference preseason men’s basketball media and coaches poll, as announced today at the A-10 Media Day at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
In addition, senior point guard Kwamain Mitchell was voted to the preseason All-Conference first team, while junior guard Jordair Jett was tabbed a preseason All-Defensive squad selection.
The Billikens, who advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament ago, received 10 first-place votes but were edged by Saint Joseph’s, which received 11 first-place votes. VCU was picked third, Temple fourth, UMass fifth and Butler sixth in the preseason poll. All six of the squads received at least one first-place vote.
Mitchell garnered third-team All-Conference accolades after finishing second on the squad with 12.4 ppg and pacing the Billikens in assists and steals. Mitchell, who enters the season 15th on SLU’s all-time scoring list with 1,321, was a second-team All-Conference pick as a sophomore and a member of the A-10’s All-Rookie team as a freshman. Jett was named to the league’s All-Defensive team a season ago.
The Billikens open preseason practice Friday, Oct. 12. SLU will hold a FanFest the next day at Chaifetz Arena. The regular-season opener is slated for Friday, Nov. 9, against USC Upstate.
