A Renewed Rivalry
The Tigers and the Billikens are set to rekindle a rivalry that has lain dormant for a quarter‑century. Beginning on November 6, the first of three scheduled meetings will take place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, marking the first time the two schools have faced off since the early 1990s.
A Storied Past
The series traces its roots to 1931, when the two programs first met, and over the ensuing decades Missouri has held a slight edge with a 21‑19 record in 40 encounters. After a long stretch of silence, the upcoming matchup represents only the third meeting in the past 45 years, underscoring the rarity of the renewed contest.
Current Momentum
Both teams arrive with momentum. Missouri has secured back‑to‑back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time since the 2009‑13 stretch, posting at least 20 wins in each of the last two seasons while dominating SEC play. Saint Louis, under head coach Josh Schertz, returns nine players, including three all‑conference honorees, from a squad that set a school record with 29 victories and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament last year.
The coaching story adds another layer of intrigue. Dennis Gates, now in his second year leading the Tigers, will square his staff against Schertz, who guided the Billikens to their most successful season in recent memory. Their contrasting styles—Missouri’s high‑tempo offense and Saint Louis’s disciplined defense—promise a competitive series that could influence early‑season rankings.
Beyond the hardwood, the games are expected to draw significant attention from fans and alumni, reviving a regional rivalry that once defined college basketball in the Show‑Me State. With both schools investing in facilities and recruiting, the series may serve as a barometer for the upcoming season’s landscape.