A new hoops era begins at SLU with HC John Schertz, who propped up Indiana State nicely the past three years and nearly won the NIT a season ago. Along with him from Terre Haute are bespectacled 6-10 Robbie Avila and hot-shooting Isaiah Swope. Alongside high-scoring G Gibson Jimmerson, SLU ought to make real strides from its 13-20 mark a year ago that got Travis Ford dismissed. Herb Sendek's Santa Clara, however, is a rugged campaigner that beat some power conference foes (Stanford, Oregon, Washington State) plus Gonzaga with much the same look that won 20 games a season ago. With one bonus, G Carlos Stewart, who starred two years ago for Sendek before transferring home to LSU, only to return to the Mission Campus after an injury-filled campaign in baton Rouge. In 2022-23, Stewart earned honorable mention All-WCC with the Broncos when scoring 15.2 ppg. Sendek's squad also has plenty of size to throw at Avila, and a matchup headache for the Bills in 6-7 swingman Adama Alpha-Bal (14.4 ppg), who has appeared on NBA Draft radar. Play Santa Clara (at Sioux Falls, SD)