The St. Louis Billikens lost their most recent conference game -- to Rhode Island -- but they remain in good shape in the conference race, as they are just a game behind first-place Temple.

Related: Saint Louis Vs. Rhode Island Score Update: Billikens Slump To Surprising Defeat

But even if they can't catch the Owls for the regular season A-10 championship, odds are good that the Billikens will earn a bye in the first round of the conference tournament, which starts on March 6. St. Louis need only hold its position in the top four of the standings to earn that bye.

But St. Louis' NCAA tournament fate likely will not hang in the balance during the conference tournament -- the Billikens maintain a healthy RPI and they're solidly in the tournament in recent projections.

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