st louis basketball: No. 18 Billikens Travel to Face Rhode Island Tuesday
The No. 18 Saint Louis Billikens (24-1, 12-0 A-10) will try to extend an 18-game winning streak when they visit the Rhode Island Rams (14-11, 5-7 A-10) on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Tip is scheduled for 7 p. m. ET at the Thomas M. Ryan Center in Kingston, Rhode Island.
Billikens enter on historic run, with conference stakes looming
Saint Louis has emerged as one of the nation’s most consistent programs this season, compiling a 24-1 overall mark and running its unbeaten Atlantic 10 record to 12-0. The current 18-game winning streak has vaulted the Billikens into the top 20 in national rankings and placed them squarely in control of the conference race heading toward the final weeks of the regular season. Maintaining focus on the road will be essential: the rigors of travel and the pressure of an extended streak can create opportunities for opponents eager to make a statement.
Key themes for the Billikens will be follow-through on the fundamentals that produced sustained success — disciplined defense, efficient ball movement, and limit of unforced errors. With the program carrying national attention, coaching staff and players alike will need to manage expectations and protect the momentum that has defined their campaign.
Rhode Island aims to defend home court and disrupt the streak
The Rams arrive at this matchup with a 14-11 overall mark and a 5-7 record in conference play. While Rhode Island sits below the top of the A-10 standings, the Thomas M. Ryan Center is a place where the home team can make life difficult for visitors. This game represents a chance for the Rams to produce a high-profile result against a ranked opponent and to energize their locker room down the stretch.
For Rhode Island, the path to an upset will center on game control — slowing the tempo, protecting the glass, and forcing the Billikens into uncomfortable possessions. Defensive intensity and rebounding will be two critical areas where the Rams can create second-chance opportunities and potentially swing momentum in front of their home crowd.
Matchup particulars and what to watch
With tip set for 7 p. m. ET on Tuesday, this clash has implications beyond a single win or loss. For Saint Louis, the immediate goal is simple: extend the unbeaten conference run and keep the national momentum intact. For Rhode Island, the priority is to capitalize on home-court advantages and notch a signature victory that could shift the narrative of their season.
Neutral observers should watch for how well the Billikens handle adversity on the road — whether they can close out halves and convert late-game possessions — and whether the Rams can manufacture stops and clean up the glass to generate extra opportunities. Coaching adjustments, bench contributions, and turnover margins will likely decide a game in which both teams have clear and different incentives.
Expect a charged atmosphere at the Thomas M. Ryan Center and a tactical battle between a nationally ranked team protecting a long winning streak and a home squad desperate to make a mark in the conference. Tip-off at 7 p. m. ET will provide a clearer picture of how both teams position themselves for the final push of the regular season.
