Andrew Pace
The Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team has had a rich history in the sport, with several notable wins and appearances in tournaments. The team has appeared in ten NCAA Tournaments, with a combined record of 6-11, and 21 National Invitation Tournaments (NIT), with an 18-20 record. They have also been Conference Champions seven times in the regular season and three times in tournaments. With a range of talented players and coaches, the team has achieved success and recognition in the highly competitive world of college basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Conference Champion (Regular Season) | 7 times |
| Conference Champion (Tournament) | 3 times |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | 10 years |
| NCAA Tournament Record | 6-11 |
| Final Fours | 0 |
| Championships | 0 |
| NIT Appearances | 21 |
| NIT Record | 18-20 |
| NIT Championships | 1 (1948) |
| NIT Runner-up | 3 times (1961, 1989, 1990) |
| Head Coach | Josh Schertz |
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What You'll Learn
Saint Louis Billikens' record in the National Invitation Tournaments (NIT)
The Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team is the intercollegiate team representing Saint Louis University in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Billikens have reached the championship game of the NIT tournament four times and have won it once, in 1948.
In March 1948, the Saint Louis Billikens won the NIT tournament in New York, which at the time was considered college basketball's premier event. The team, under first-year coach Ed Hickey, beat New York University 65-52 in the final, finishing with a 24-3 record.
The Billikens have continued to perform well in the NIT tournament in more recent years, reaching the championship game three more times since their 1948 victory. In 2022, the team lost to Northern Iowa 80-68 in a National Invitation Tournament first-round game. In 2025, the Billikens faced Arkansas State in the National Invitation Tournament, with a record in A-10 play of 12-8.
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Travis Ford's tenure as head coach
Travis Ford was hired as the head basketball coach at Saint Louis University in February 2020. He was previously the coach at Campbellsville University, Eastern Kentucky, Massachusetts (UMass), and Oklahoma State.
Ford's tenure at SLU began with a 13-15 record in his first season. In the following two seasons, he led the Billikens to records of 24-9 and 25-11, earning consecutive appearances in the NIT. In 2019, the team made their first NCAA tournament appearance under Ford, and they played in the NIT two more times.
Ford's overall record at SLU was 146-109, including a 72-64 conference record, making him the third-winningest coach in the program's history. However, following a season-ending loss to Duquesne in the second round of the 2024 Atlantic 10 Tournament, SLU decided to part ways with Ford. Athletic Director Chris May announced the decision, noting that the program aimed to regularly compete for conference championships and play in the NCAA Tournament.
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Jim Crews' tenure as head coach
Jim Crews served as the head coach of the Saint Louis University men's basketball team, also known as the Billikens, from 2012 to 2016. In his four years at the helm, Crews accumulated a 77-56 record and led the team to two NCAA Tournament appearances. Crews' overall career record as a head coach, including his time at Evansville and West Point, stands out at 431 wins.
Crews' tenure at Saint Louis University started on a positive note, with the team achieving success in his first two seasons. However, the latter half of his tenure saw the team struggle, with back-to-back 21-loss seasons. Despite this setback, Crews helped the Billikens to two NCAA Tournament appearances during his time as head coach.
Crews' focus on academics is also notable, as he emphasised the importance of education alongside athletic performance. During his time at Evansville, 52 out of 53 players who spent four years with the team earned a degree. Similarly, at Army, he ensured that all 30 four-year players who went through his programme graduated. This commitment to the student-athletes' holistic development is a testament to Crews' coaching philosophy.
The decision to dismiss Crews as head coach was made in March 2016, shortly after the conclusion of a game. The university's athletic director, May, emphasised the importance of putting student-athletes in the best position and moving forward immediately to attract high-level coaches. Crews' departure marked the end of his four-season tenure at Saint Louis University, with the university embarking on a search for a new head coach to lead the men's basketball team to success.
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Saint Louis Billikens' record in the NCAA Tournaments
The Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team has appeared in ten NCAA Tournaments, with a record of 6-11. In 2012, the team made their first NCAA Tournament in 12 years, but their coach, Majerus, had to retire due to health issues. He was replaced by his assistant, Jim Crews, who became the 25th head coach of the Billikens in 2013.
Under Crews, the team struggled, finishing with an 11-21 record in the 2016-17 season. Basketball statistician Ken Pomeroy predicted that the Billikens would go winless during their conference schedule. However, Crews led the team to six Atlantic 10 conference wins and a 12-21 overall record.
The Billikens gained national attention in January 2024 due to a Twitter controversy involving Travis Ford's son, who defended his father on the platform as fans were calling for his dismissal. After the 2023-24 season, Ford and the Billikens parted ways, and Josh Schertz was hired as the new head coach.
In the 2024-25 season, the Billikens performed well, ranking third in the country for offensive rebounds and fifth in total rebounds. However, their three-point shooting and free-throw percentages were among the worst in the NCAA Tournament field. Despite their rebounding strengths, an upset against Virginia Tech was deemed unlikely due to their low true shooting percentage.
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Notable Saint Louis Billikens players
The Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team has had some notable players and coaches over the years. The team, which represents Saint Louis University, has competed in the Atlantic 10 Conference and reached the NIT tournament four times, winning once in 1948. They have also appeared in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament ten times.
One notable coach is Rick Majerus, who held the head coaching position from 2007. Majerus turned the team's fortunes around, and compiled a 95-69 record at the University, an impressive feat. Unfortunately, he had to retire due to health concerns and passed away, with his assistant, Jim Crews taking over. Crews was able to lead the team to 28 wins, a school record, and was named head coach in 2013.
Some notable players include Izaiyah Nelson, who scored 26 points and 10 rebounds in a game against Arkansas State, and Des Watson, who scored 25 points against Loyola Chicago in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Other notable performers include Isaiah Swope, who led the team to victory with 26 points against Davidson, and Gibson Jimerson, whose 33 points helped the Billikens beat Loyola Chicago and create a four-way tie for third place in the Atlantic-10 Conference.
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Frequently asked questions
The Saint Louis Billikens.
The team has appeared in 10 NCAA Tournaments, with a combined record of 6-11.
The team has appeared in 21 NITs, with a combined record of 18-20. They were NIT champions in 1948 and have been runners-up three times.
