PITTSBURGH – Saint Louis senior Robbie Avila landed on the Atlantic 10 Conference's preseason All-Conference team, which was released Tuesday in conjunction with Media Day in Pittsburgh.

Also released Tuesday was the league's preseason poll, which was voted upon by the league's 14 head coaches as well as a media representative covering each team. The Billikens were picked second behind VCU in one of the closest preseason polls in recent history. Both SLU and VCU received 11 first-place votes. The Rams edged out the Billikens by one point to take home preseason favorite honors.

Avila is entering his senior year and second season with the Billikens. Last year, he was named second-team All-Conference after averaging 17.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Avila led all centers in Division I in 3s made per game and assists per game. He was a top 10 candidate for the Kareem Abdul-Jabaar Center of the Year and was named to Watch Lists for the Naismith Trophy, Wooden Award and Lute Olson Award as well.

The Billikens are in their second season under head coach Josh Schertz. The Billikens' 17-man roster is comprised for seven returning players and 10 newcomers (six transfers and four true freshmen).

SLU's schedule was recently released (read more). All teams who were picked in the top five in the league's preseason poll will visit Chaifetz Arena this season.

Saint Louis' season opener is set for Monday, Nov. 3, against Southeast Missouri at Chaifetz Arena.