MBB Season Kickoff: Billikens Face Broncos in South Dakota

Billikens Look to Start Season Strong Against Broncos

The Saint Louis University men's basketball team will tip off its 2022-23 season on Monday, November 7, when they travel to Vermillion, South Dakota, to face the South Dakota Coyotes.

The Billikens are coming off a 2021-22 season in which they finished with a 23-13 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

This will be the first meeting between the Billikens and Coyotes since 2019, when SLU won 74-64 in St. Louis.

Broncos Aim to Upset Billikens in Home Opener

The Coyotes are coming off a 19-13 season in which they finished fourth in the Summit League.

USD is led by senior guard Triston Simpson, who averaged 15.9 points per game last season.

The Coyotes will be looking to upset the Billikens in their home opener.

Matchup to Watch: Gibson vs. Simpson

One of the key matchups to watch in this game will be between SLU's Yuri Collins and USD's Triston Simpson.

Collins is a preseason All-Atlantic 10 selection, while Simpson is a preseason All-Summit League selection.

Both players are dynamic guards who can score and distribute the basketball.

Prediction

The Billikens are the more talented team on paper, but the Coyotes will be playing at home.

I expect this game to be close, but I think SLU will ultimately pull away in the second half.

Prediction: SLU 78, USD 67