GAME NOTES: The Saint Louis Billikens will tip off the 2014-15 season at home on Saturday night when they welcome the Southern Illinois Salukis to Chaifetz Arena.

SIU finished under .500 for the fourth consecutive season in 2013-14, going a mere 14-19 overall. The Salukis managed to compete in the Missouri Valley Conference, however, putting together a respectable 9-9 league record in coach Barry Hinson's second season.

Saint Louis have been a model of consistency in the Atlantic 10 in recent years, winning back-to-back regular-season titles and going to the NCAA Tournament in three straight seasons. However, the Billikens could be in for a steep decline this season. They faltered down the stretch last season with losses in five of their last seven games, and they don't return a single starter.

The Billikens have won four in a row over the Salukis, including last season on the road, 76-67, to improve their standing in the all-time series to 28-24.

The Salukis hope to improve this season with the return of four starters. Anthony Beane was an All-MVC selection at guard after averaging 14.7 ppg and draining 52 3-pointers at a 39.4 percent clip, but he's the only returnee who scored in double figures. The loss of Desmar Jackson (18.6 ppg) will certainly be a huge blow. Jalen Pendleton is the best bet to help replace some of that production after scoring 9.1 ppg in just over 20 minutes per game. Sean O'Brien (6.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg) is a solid frontcourt piece, and six incoming freshmen will have an opportunity to make their mark.

The Billikens will have to find a way to replace the majority of their production from last season now that Dwayne Evans (14.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg), Jordair Jett (13.9 ppg), Rob Loe (10.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and Mike McCall Jr. (9.8 ppg) have all moved on. There's a lot of uncertainty with the squad, but one thing to count on is a more prominent role for Austin McBroom (7.3 ppg), who will need to improve upon a poor field goal percentage (.352) if he's to be the primary scoring option. Grandy Glaze (3.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg) will also be inserted into the starting lineup. Ash Yacoubou joins the team after transferring from Villanova, where he made nearly 40 percent of his 3-point tries in 2012-13 in a bench role.

Saint Louis is in for a rebuilding year and will be hard-pressed to vie for an A-10 title, but should still be able to compete in most games thanks to its patented defensive mindset. At home against an underwhelming SIU squad, expect the Billikens to notch an opening-night victory.