Full Breakdown
Saint Louis Billikens Schedule Elite Mid-Major Opponents
5/13/2026, 11:42:37 PM
Core Event: Home-and-Home Series with High Point and New St. Mary’s Game
Saint Louis announced a two-year home-and-home agreement with High Point, opening on Nov. 15, 2026 at Chaifetz Arena, with the return game slated for the 2027-28 season. The non-conference slate also adds a matchup against St. Mary’s.
Background & Context: Recent Tournament Run and Mid-Major Scheduling Trend
After reaching the Round of 32 in the 2026 NCAA Tournament—defeating Georgia before falling to eventual champion Michigan—Saint Louis joined a growing number of power-conference programs that schedule strong mid-major opponents for tournament preparation. The 2025-26 non-conference slate featured only Stanford from a power conference and WCC foes Santa Clara and San Francisco.
Key Figures: Coach Josh Schertz and Partner Programs
Head coach Josh Schertz, in his inaugural season, leads the Billikens, an Atlantic 10 contender. High Point and St. Mary’s serve as the primary mid-major partners for the upcoming non-conference schedule.
Official Statements & Responses
University officials confirmed the home-and-home deal with High Point and the addition of St. Mary’s, describing the games as “must-see” matchups intended to boost television exposure and strengthen both programs’ tournament résumés.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts caution that mid-major teams risk lowering their tournament metrics with losses to comparable opponents, a factor that traditionally deters high-profile scheduling and could harm their NCAA tournament prospects.
Why It Matters
By scheduling strong mid-major foes, Saint Louis seeks to showcase Atlantic 10 depth, attract broader broadcast audiences, and improve its seeding prospects. If successful, the approach may prompt other mid-major programs to adopt similar non-conference strategies.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Scheduling news: Saint Louis and High Point have signed a home-and-home starting next season, sources told CBS Sports.” — CBS Sports source
- “— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) May 12, 2026 The Billikens only managed to get one power conference team on its schedule last season, Stanford, in the championship game of the Acrisure Invitational but did land games against proud WCC opponents in Santa Clara and San Francisco.” — Sports Illustrated
- “Really good mid-major matchup for two teams that’ll be preseason league favs/expected to make it back to the NCAAT.” — Matt Norlander, ESPN analyst
What's Next
Saint Louis opens its 2026-27 non-conference schedule at home against High Point on Nov. 15, then faces St. Mary’s later in the season. The program may add further mid-major opponents before the schedule closes.
