But after last year, one of the worst in history for area teams, there's nowhere to go but up. Mizzou went 0-18 in conference play while St. Louis U., Missouri State and SIU Carbondale all dismissed coaches.
Fans have had eight months to forget last year's struggles, and hope springs eternal as the sport's opening day looms on Monday.
Below is a look at the St. Louis area's men's college basketball teams, where they stand and what's projected of them. Teams are in order of KenPom ranking.
